Happy 18th Birthday Lola

Lola with her surprise 18th birthday cake

Me, Lola, Joe and Calum in the hotel restaurant

Calum and Lola dressed for dinner

Lola lounging on the sun terrace.

Lola with the fantastic birthday card made for her by Joe.

Lola with her presents and gold bottle of Prosecco.

Lola at Pomepeii under the number 18 - very appropriate.

A significant birthday
On Wednesday 27 July, Lola turned 18.

We celebrated it in the beautiful Italian city of Sorrento. As a family we love Italy but had never been to the South. When we'd asked Lola where she's like to go to for her birthday, Italy was her immediate choice. She was very firm that she wanted to be in Pompeii, having studied Classics at A level and loved it.

So that's what we did. It didn't disappoint.

Ancient wonders
Nothing anyone tells you about Pompeii can really prepare you for the sheer scale and magnificence of it. It is truly breathtaking and we were awestruck by it. The sophistication and intelligence of such an ancient civilization was simply mind-blowing. Pompeii was also incredibly beautiful.

Gorgeous gifts
After Pompeii we headed back to the hotel where Lola opened her cards and presents on the hotel balcony. We'd wrapped everything in gold and had even found a gold bottle of Prosecco at the Duty Free shop at Gatwick so it all looked gorgeous.

We toasted Lola with the Prosecco, enjoying her pleasure at getting so many lovely gifts. Her best present was a Canon Digital SLR from her Grandma, Margaret. It was extra special as she'd died at the end of June. However, she wanted to make sure that Lola got something she really wanted, so we'd bought it in advance and she was really pleased. Lola (and Calum) used the camera to good effect during the holiday. We have the fantastic photos to prove it.

Joe made Lola a Mad Hatter card, in keeping with the theme of her birthday party at home. Lola absolutely loved it. She is lucky to have such a talented father.

Sun lounging
After the present-opening we went up to the sun lounge and did exactly that - lounged around in the sun, taking in the beautiful view. The Hotel Bristol where we stayed is extremely luxurious and in a wonderful location with stunning views across the Bay of Naples. We never tired of looking at it.

Birthday surprise
After soaking up the sun, we went back to our rooms to get ready for Lola's birthday dinner. We were given the best corner table by the window and enjoyed a delicious meal, served by attentive waiters under the guidance of the charming Matteo, our Maitre 'D.

When it came to dessert, we placed our orders as usual and were then surprised and delighted to see one of the waiters wheeling in a beautiful handmade cake bearing the legend 'Happy 18th Birthday'. The look on Lola's face was priceless. Everyone in the restaurant sang Happy Birthday and there were smiles and congratulations all round. It was very special - exactly what I wanted for her. It says a lot about the kindness of the staff at the hotel.

Birthday cocktails
We spent the final part of the evening in the cocktail bar where Lola and I had our favourite Kir Royale. It was a beautiful balmy evening and as we sat looking out over the bay at the twinkling lights of Sorrento with Mount Vesuvius in the background, I felt incredibly happy.

It was a truly wonderful day, one I will remember for the rest of the my life.

And so will Lola.

Happy 18th Birthday my beautiful girl.