Birthday joy and the family.

It's been a weekend of surprises.

The first was on Saturday morning when a cup of coffee arrived at my bedside - a rare event in itself. I'd been planning a leisurely day because, just for once, we had no music lessons to rush out for.

"Time to get up," said the Man-in-Charge, "we've got a lot to do."

Two hours later the car was packed with people and bags and we were heading down the M1.

The Offspring were on their way to Uncle Richard's and we were on our way to Ragdale Hall to spend 24 hours in our dressing gowns.

My birthday surprise had, apparently, been planned several weeks ago, and even my daughter, who is the world's worst at keeping any kind of secret, had managed to remain tight-lipped. She was extremely pleased with herself: "I've known for ages but I didn't say anything, did I?"

The spa was fully booked, which just goes to show how popular it now is to loll around in fluffy white robes.

Of course, it almost goes without saying that most of the guests were of the female persuasion. But the MIC did meet up with a handful of other new-spa men in the Turkish bath.

"It was quite bizarre," he said, "we talked about spas we had been to and treatments we'd had. A few years ago it was a conversation I couldn't have imagined ever having."

Life has been a bit hard the past few months so he felt we needed a bit of chilling out. And what better way to celebrate a birthday. Even if the gigantic mirror in the hotel bathroom seemed to highlight the visible signs of ageing. Another birthday, it said, just look at what's happening.

Of course I was in the right place to tackle the visible signs of ageing. Spas specialise in having a treatment for every body part and every emotional need. We declined being rubbed with hot and cold stones; having our chakras re-aligned and being soaked in mud.

But we did partake of the healthy cruciferous vegetable soups, fruit salads and antioxidant buffets. Our faces were oiled, massaged and masqued and our shoulders gently massaged. We lay on couches next to the pool and read our books - in the middle of the afternoon! Back at home we'd have been digging the allotment.

At Uncle Richard's the Offspring were getting stuck into some revision. I'd left mine at home. Just for once all seemed right with the world.

The week before our little trip the MIC told me he'd been talking to my brother, the aforementioned Uncle Richard, about how when you get older you don't want more possessions for your birthday, you want experiences.

I didn't really think about it at the time but I guess he was preparing me for the birthday secret.

The second surprise was that my brother wants to pay for me and the MIC to have a night at the theatre - his original idea was a weekend in London but I'd quite like to stay with him.

And the third surprise was when we went to pick up the Offspring and found that he'd booked a meal out for the whole family and had driven up to Huddersfield to collect my mother so that she could join us too.

I may now have reached the age when I mark time by the weeks between hairdressing appointments to keep the grey at bay, but in many ways life is more rewarding and full than it has ever been. And I have my family - all of them - to thank for that.