Erin's 30th

It was finally Erin's turn to join the rest of us in our 30's. Unfortunately her birthday celebrations were bitter-sweet as it was also her leaving drinks. Erin was on her way back to Perth (much to everybody's disappointment!) just a few days after her 30th birthday so we sent her out in style.

We started at the Park Lane Hotel for afternoon tea. I'm not sure why they called it tea when it consisted of champagne, sandwiches (sans crusts of course!), scones, pastries and tea. This was, by far, the most food we'd all eaten! There were 9 of us and I've never seen such a ridiculous display of food. Unfortunately the service was absolutely horrible!!!! I had assumed that seeing as we were all paying about 30-40 GBP each, we would be treated quite well....not the case. We sat waiting for somebody to come and serve us for 15 minutes or so and eventually called somebody over. Every time we needed something we had to flag somebody over. Our teapots were always empty, the HUGE tray of scones was served with the teeniest amount (think of a shot glass) of jam and clotted cream and it took us about 20 minutes to get the bill.

We weren't hugely bothered as it was Erin's day and nobody wanted to create a fuss at all. So when we were done that, it was off to the Alphabet bar for drinks even though we were all so full we just wanted to go to sleep!! But we piled in some cabs and went to the bar. Again we ran into some bad luck....the bar had somehow lost Erin's reservation and we were left without an area (for 15-20 people!). Soon enough people left and we took over most of the tables and got our drink on!! As it was more of a restaurant/bar as opposed to a club/bar there was nowhere for dancing so we just hung out, drank and chatted.

My last train leaves London at midnight (rubbish I know!) so I left when the bar closed up and we'd finished our last drinks but most of the other girls who live in London proper stayed out for even more drinking and dancing (they had to work off all that food somehow!). Brilliant night out but we miss Erin. Come back Erin!!!!