My fifty-sixth birthday is coming up in ten days ... eeek!!! ... and evidence has been presented to me this afternoon that this fact of my life makes me just a shade under four years younger than Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Oh my!

In my far younger days, back when I was a small-ish child of eight or so, my mother mentioned in passing that I was about the right age to marry Prince Charles when he grew up to be King of England. That actually sounded good for a while, although any such plan fell quickly by the wayside with the realization that there were rules involved for making such a match.

Then, of course, the '60s happened and I lost all interest in anyone with as friendly a relationship with a barber as Charles so obviously had.

With Camilla's 60th birthday in the news today, I'm even more thrilled that no future of mine went anywhere near the direction that would have had Charles and I meeting, much less marrying.

Why the renewed enthusiasm for a non-royal life? Perhaps this story of her Camilla's birthday present from her prince tells the story.

What did that romantic devil bestow on his bride in commemoration of her sixth decade?

Sheep.

Two long-haired sheep.

He did buy her a couple of ponies a while back, but that's really not the same, is it?

Good royal wife that she is, however, Camilla is said to be, " ... absolutely chuffed to bits", which is totally jazzed in Brit-speak.

Over the years, I've been presented with presents large and small, pricey and priceless, and some even alive.

In fact, my first birthday living in Seychelles found me being led to a neighbor's garden by some Swiss friends who'd hidden there my gift from them ... a baby pig. I immediately dubbed her Heidi, and loved her to bits right up until the time Mark sold her for bacon.

Sam has already given me his gift, as he couldn't stand to wait the weeks between making his creation and showing it off. The lovely shell-filled candleholder pictured above is something I will treasure for as long as it lasts ... the level of shells is falling daily as he rearranges the display and Cj plays with them.

His presentation was one of the best gift-getting experiences I've ever had ... and that includes the diamond tennis bracelet in the champaign with breakfast in bed, although that one was nice. Upon ceremoniously handing me the gift, he explained that he made this wonderful and practical work of art so I would have something nice to light when we have power cuts, and if there are friends over for dinner I could tell them ... wafting his hands at the gift like a blond on The Price is Right ... "My son made this for me."

And that's exactly what I'll do.

So, Camilla, you can keep your crown and your sheep. I'm absolutely chuffed to bits to be turning fifty-six here with my very own princes ... and a princess, too.