I'd forgotten what physical work was, it has been four years since I worked in the bakery but nevertheless it didn't take me long to get into the production line mode..the packing machines, the slicing machines, they are still the same..only the machine for the birthday photo cakes is different, apparently you can print an image from your memory card or phone on to the icing nowadays.
There were still two colleagues out of the eight who were working today who I knew from before but the others didn't know me and after a couple of the girls had finished dissecting their recent night out on the town and then arranging the next one, they turned their attention to me.
As Girlie packed the baps and I stuck some labels on, the conversation went as follows 
Girlie... "When is your next shift"?
Me....... "Oh not 'til next Sunday".
Girlie...."Oooh you lucky thing"!
Me....... "Not really, I planned it this way as i'll be 60 in October and don't expect to be working for much longer after that"
Girlie...."60...you don't look it! What are you going to do on your birthday"?
Me........"I'm not too sure, I thought about going abroad to celebrate but I will have had my quota of holidays for this year by then.
I then told her about the little trips i'd already had this year and about the family in Spain who I have stayed with and she looked at me suspiciously.
Girlie .. "What! you stayed with strangers...that's a bit scary isn't it and at your age!!
Me......." Just because one gets older it doesn't mean you can't have a few adventures along the way...
Girlie..."about your birthday then...do you think you will have a party?
Me......."No, it's not my thing, I don't mind an impromptu dinner at a restaurant but...
Girl....."I would, i'd have a massive party !!i'd get hammered and get everyone to buy me a drink.
Me......."Hmmm...well, I might have a professional photo shoot taken in my belly dancing costume to mark the occasion, I can always put a veil across my face to hide the lines"
Girlie...."What !..you do belly dancing"?
Me........"Only for fun, i'm not much good at it but it's good exercise"
Girlie..."What would you do with the photo then"?
Me......."I don't know...maybe frame it and put it above the bed on t'old man's side or maybe if it's not too embarrassing I might post it in my blog!"
Girlie..."WHAT, YOU'VE GOT A BLOG!!"
Me......."Nah, i'm only kidding 
Girlie..."Thought so..you can't fool me"
At that point I moved away from the packing machine and started bagging up some french baguettes....that reminds me..."did I tell you I was going to the South of France tomorrow?..i'll be back home on Saturday in time for my next shift on Sunday though " 
