Charlie is the first of the Portsmouth University gang to turn the ripe old age of 40, and as you can see above he's still sporting a healthy matte black head of hair (or is that just a nylon dream?). Despite his new geriatric status, Charlie's still young at heart and resisting the urge to complain incessantly about the "youf of today" and urinating himself in public.

We made the journey to yokel-land Shropshire for a long weekend of party, sports and celebration. Well done to Becs for selecting a fantastic farmhouse and the immaculate organisation of the weekend food, drink and festivities.

The theme for the weekend was Charlie's birth year 1968 and fancy dress was on the cards for the Saturday night party. Much effort was made to dress for the era with hippies coming out of every nook and crannie. There was an Olympic games arranged also between the Mexico 1968 team against the China 2008 team. One word sums it up: competitive!

Unfortunately there was one casualty during the weekend. Richie snapped his achilles tendon during a 5-a-side footy match. Rob (MD) called his bluff prescribing it as a mild sprain but the vehemence of Richie's response pursuaded us otherwise.

All in all a fantastic weekend - Happy Birthday!