Any ideas for dh's 50th birthday?

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

He's 48 this year (I'm 11 years younger) and he's quite young at heart but pickles well

As i work p/t i'm planning to start a savings account and put some money aside to do something for his b'day.

He knows when i turn 40 my long term friends and I for our 40th b'days are going to NY, so i think i need to do something for dh!

The only thing is, I'm not sure what. Childcare won't be an issue as we have fab gp's, but i'm not going to have a mega budget. At first i was thinking of renewing our vows but tbh this would be more for dh as I really dislike the idea of renewing something that for its own reason shouldn't need renewing!

He like golf, but is a gold trip a bit naff?

Any dh's out there who can give me a hint? He's not into other sport or cars, sort of likes astronomy and a bit of birdwatching (stood at kitchen window bleary eyed in undercrackers pointing out there are no birds on the birdfeeder )

[FoundWanting]

Have a look here. Great food and rooms, twitcher country all around. Holkham beach just up the road etc etc

[tigerdriverII]

Well, I'm not a DH but - if he likes astronomy and birdwatching what about scandinavia? Just the two of you? Either midnight sun and birds or depending on when his b'd is, an ice hotel? They sound amazing.

I took DH to NY for his 50th. It's mine next year and I've been petitioning for a trip to the Rockies. It does need to be special!

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

Ooh, the boutique does look v nice (am being influenced by the beautiful shade of blue on the boutique hotel door!)

Tiger.. what general stuff would be there in scandanavia for october time? and do you know if it generally low / mid / high price flights?

Thanks for the posts

[GnomeDePlume]

Where would he go for a couple of nights if money were no object? This may not be an 'event' place (IMO NY is an event place) but could be a nice hotel seen on your/his travels. Is there a hotel he would love?

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

tbh, he does love northumberland, esp bamburgh area, but I was thinking it would have yto be really really nice if it wasn't an 'event'place, as you rightly put it. maybe if there was a posh golf place nearby that might help... arggh!!! What i want it the anniversary holiday version of tk maxx, look expensive and wow, without the cost

[tigerdriverII]

Oh - crikey - don't know about October. It's not the midnight sun or deepest winter. How about somewhere where you'll still get some sun/warmth. Although if he really does like birdwatching, October is prob good. Bit off the luxury trail but how about somewhere in UK with interesting birding in Oct - must be migrations etc? Shetlands?

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

or ireland, as we did honeymoon there.. by connemara (sp?)

[squeakytoy]

Go and see the Northern Lights. That is something I would absolutely love to do and is the ultimate in astronomy!

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

I would loveto see the northern lights Squeaky (never mind dh!) but.. i would be royally f*cked off if they didn't show while we were there!

[GnomeDePlume]

St Andrew's is pay and play. How about buying him a round there plus a hotel stay somewhere near(ish) by?

FWIW DH & I have been married since the dawn of time. What DH & I value above anything is time together. For us I think what would cut the mustard is a really nice dinner in a nice place followed by a comfortable night somewhere - pub/hotel/tent (the choice is yours).

For us what would matter is not having to take responsibility. A really nice dinner out with booked taxis there and back would be wonderful.

It doesnt have to be an 'event' location. Something closer to home but thought through would be wonderful.

[SuchProspects]

If he's into astronomy and you can put him off for a few weeks there are both lunar and solar eclipses in November 2012. Solar Eclipse down near Australia so probably a bit out of budget. But the solar eclipse is visible at rise and set in the UK and is fully visible in Alaska, parts of Canada, Russia and Norway.

[SuchProspects]

That should be
"But the lunar eclipse is visible..."

[varyingdegreesofdeafness]

Thanks for all the posts, has given me lots to investigate!

[TaffyandTeenyTaffy]

What about Gleneagles - friends of ours stayed there and had a fab time .... or the Celtic Manor in South Wales where the Ryder Cup was held this year? Golf, fab restaurant lovely spa - and close to Cardiff.

Ryder cup is in Gleneagles autumn 2014 - but think that is a year too late?! Sorry brain not working tonight!

[angelpantser]

What about Slaley Hall in Northumberland? Not into golf myself but SIL had some friends that got married at Slaley and she said it was a big hit with the golfers in the party.

[GrimmaTheNome]

My DHs 50th is next month (mine at start of year). We'd planned a 'special' holiday - Egypt. Which has turned into a Turkey .... ah well.

He's the astronomy and birdwatching type too but can do that anytime. Though a trip here sometime might be in order, with Caerlaverlock WWT en route.

All mine currently seems to want is for me to book the day off work and be available.

[AimingForSerenity]

Seaham Hall is a stunning spa hotel in the North East (easy distance of Durham) so in an area you like.

I have stayed at Slaley Hall and at Seaham Hall and there is no comparison between the two, Seaham is far lovelier although it doesn't have a golf course.

For my 50th we went to Sharrow Bay (Lake District) which is in the same hotel chain as Seaham Hall for a wonderful lunch.

[tb]

We stayed at Linden Hall at Longhorsley years ago, on a special offer with credit card points. I think it's got a golf course.

It was lovely, but made us laugh, because before dinner in the bar I got a menu without prices, and dh got one with. As our dinner was included in the price, we both had fun conjuring up a fantasy dinner to pick the most expensive outrageous menu.

The other thing was that 'gentlemen' were requested to wear a jacket and tie in the dining room. There were 2 Americans who wore neither - but did have trousers, shirts, shoes and socks, so we thought maybe they either weren't 'gentlemen' or were so filthy rich that the hotel didn't object.

There was, imho, a much better small country house hotel at Powburn, but sadly it's now a private house.

[givemesomespace]

Varyingdegrees, you sound lovely. Lucky Mr Varying.
I'd love to see the northern lights, but as you say, paying to go all that way when they may not show up is a bit of a gamble!
I think you're onto a winner with the golf. So maybe something focussed on that, a weekend away for both of you near a good golf course or if he has some good golf mates he might like to get away with, have a chat with his mates about good places.
Was just thinking about astro and birdwatching - does he have any kit? If not, a good set of binoculars would be great for both, maybe a set of 10x. These can be pretty affordable (anything from £50 - £500) and are vital for both hobbies (yes even astro).
HTH