Mission accomplished!!

Armed with their hotel name (nice work Kev!), we caught the bus through the desert from Cairo to hunt down and surprise Graham's Mum and Andy who were there celebrating Marian's 50th birthday.

We were a little worried that we may have gone all that way and miss them when a text earlier in the week announced that they were off on a trip to a Bedouin camp! What if they were staying?!

Concern levels rose when we found the hotel and the kind receptionist rang through . . to find nobody in. Thankfully, after an anxious wait spying on people getting out of their taxi's and buses another call found them in (sneakily having used a side gate!). The receptionist then got a little flustered by his role in proceedings and announced a visitor in reception rather than a parcel to be signed for, as scripted. Thankfully, as they were expecting a delivery to be dropped off this set no alarm bells ringing as Marian casually wandered into reception.

What followed is best explained by the video clip. One proper surprised, double-taking, over excited, followed by very emotional mum! We then got to repeat the performance by surprising Andy with some unannounced guests.

It was so fantastic that everything came off and that we had the chance to have an early celebration for Marian's 50th birthday together.

We chatted for hours over drinks, lazed and chatted relaxing on the beach of Marian and Andy's 5* hotel (very nice!) and on our last night, had an excellent birthday meal on the beach.

It was great for us to be able to work the surprise into our trip and spend a few days together. I am not sure why, but we also got a sneaking suspicion that Marian was quite pleased to see us too!

Happy 50th Mum!
XXX