One year ago today.....

This time last year, we were finalising the packing, unpacking the things that didn't fit.  Double checking the passport, visa, travel documents and then heading down the highway.  You can read more about this here A week is a long time

The year has flown.  My beautiful daughter has spent her first Christmas away from home, probably the hardest time for her, and also her 22nd birthday.  She's travelled to places I can only dream about, Spain, France, Scotland, Austria, Italy just to name a few.  She's also held down a full time job, rents a room in a London apartment and has loads of new friends.

It's not been all rosy, to use her words she lives in "Struggle Street". Wages are low and rents are high. How she manages to save and travel is a credit to her, this is a girl who would think nothing of blowing a weeks wage on an outfit for the weekend and would never have stepped inside a backpackers hostel.

She's grown into an independent and sensible young woman and although I miss her dreadfully, I am so proud.

Manipulative or just downright clever?

People who know me well, know I loooove to travel.  I traveled before I was married and only stopped because I had to do those grownup things such as buy a house and have children. I often look in awe now at those who combine travel, mortgage and children successfully.

While I was at home raising my children, my husband traveled the world with his job.  Whilst he was dining in fancy restaurants I was cooking and eating a staple diet of sausages, fish fingers or chicken nuggets and force feeding vegetables.

Much to my disappointment now we have no responsibilities and can afford it, my husband hates airports and traveling.  His idea of a holiday is staying home and playing on his ride on mower and various other toys he's collected over the years.

Most of the traveling I do these days is with girlfriends or my adult children (the latter is only if I pay).

I have now struck on to the best excuse for a holiday....... Rugby Union.  My husband is from NZ so Rugby is in his veins.  I couldn't care less about the game but suddenly I have an interest.  The final Bledisloe Cup game is in Hong Kong!!!!  Of course I mentioned it in passing and noticed a slight interest.  I let him digest it for a few days and, armed with information, hit him with it.  The result being we're going to Hong Kong at the end of October.  Sure I have to sit through a Rugby game, but I think I'll manage.

Am I manipulative or clever?