My Birthday 11th and `15th June 2013

My Birthday Celebrations 11^th and 15^th June 2013

My birthday started the minute I arrived at the wonderful and beautiful Impressa Hotel in Kiev.

My dear friend Ozzy from Shooters told me explicitly I must not shave for three days however, since I was at a speaking engagement that was not possible but managed one day. I went to Shooters Entertainment Center to meet Ozzy.  Then we set off to the First Turkish Barber Shop in Ukraine Bello on Leiptsyz’ka 2/37 in an amazing thunderstorm. I was immediately sat in the chair of this modern, comfortable and beautifully appointed barber shop. My treatment began with haircut, then shaves and steam treatment, I was shaved, massaged, pampered and had the best and most re-invigorating shave and haircut in my life, if you haven’t tried a Turkish Pampering go ahead you will love it.

Then back to Shooters for my birthday dinner where my dear friend Stuart McKenzie has most kindly put together a table of friends to join me in the celebration which I usually try to share with Stuart who had become very much like family to me.  The party started with two delightfully presented platters of sushi and of course Shooters is recognized as the best Sushi in town. Needless to say it was totally delicious , We were joined at the table By Nickolas Dumbell the GM of the new Marriot Renaissance Hotel to open in Kiev early next year, Neil Campbell and his beautiful lady in waiting, Paul Niland the delightful Lana, Lyuba Kuts as always looking completely fabulous, Peter Willats  and new friend from UK, Naj Mohamed  great friend from previous Burns Nights from Glasgow just to top up the Scottish element, after all this is Shooters, Benoit Kulborn the departing GM of the amazing Opera Hotel and great friend , and last and not least Sasha and Triana from Euro 2012 now deputy Tournament Director of the Fiba Euro Basket in Ukraine, so good to see them both again. We had an evening of culinary delights followed by the surprise birthday cake, yes even at 55!! I still enjoy the cake bit. We had dancing and karaoke with everyone joining in the fun,  Triana had the best voice and sang beautifully.

A truly great evening was enjoyed by us all.  A super big thank you to Stuart for arranging and, entertaining us, a truly wonderful host. Thanks also for the brilliant gifts that you generously gave to me all were terrific to receive many thanks again.

 

The next part of my birthday was at home on the following Saturday on the beach.  I made Gazpacho, Croquets and Sangria which, I had learnt to make just a week before at the hands Of Ferran Brufau the most congenial GM of the Radisson Hotel in Podil.  Ferran must have been a good teacher because my Ukrainian friends all were delighted to try the dishes and the Sangria just got added to as the evening went on making it a very potent mix indeed,

We had a great time with my friends Sergey, Artem, Vitally, My mother and father in law, my beautiful and loving wife Alla, Katya our wonderful daughter Larisa and her Husband, Sergey on whose property we had the party on took out guests on his amazing powerboat for a trip on the Dnieper.

We had a great time and thanks to my good friends and family for making my days so brilliant