Another New Year..

   So  much has happened within our family lately, it seems that things are really changing. Who knows what this New Year will bring, but this is what it looks like at the moment....
   To begin with Daughter, she is now in a fairly new and rather wonderful relationship. And about time, I probably hear you say! She has certainly kissed a few frogs in her thirty-one years, and so I guess a prince is just about due. This one appeared roughly three months ago, and it seems that they are in love and actually making plans for their joint future. He is older than her by about 6 or 7 years, hasn't been married before and has no children. But the icing on the cake is that he also loves Grandson (which is totally reciprocated) and feels that meeting Daughter and Grandson has made his life complete. He is a lawyer, so pretty well set up, and a very solid and cheerful person. He loves his Mum and often cooks Sunday lunch. Does all this sound too good to be true? Maybe, but it is true, and I say long may it last as I touch wood. They are having a very nice time and Grandson is included in the fun. We were all invited to his Mother and Stepfather's house for Christmas Day, and it was a real treat. For a start, it was the first time in thirty-odd years that I hadn't cooked the Christmas Dinner for everyone! Amazing and lovely. They are a very inclusive and affectionate family, and I was delighted to be invited. We had such a lovely day and it was truly great to eat a Christmas Dinner I hadn't  cooked for once.
   Son was actually away for Christmas, which was another first! I'm pretty sure it was the first year we hadn't all been together in 33 years, since he was born (not counting the year of Daughter's 21st, which she spent in New Zealand with her Dad). Anyway, Son and his girlfriend had planned to go to Thailand, and then travel around Cambodia and Vietnam for a month, and the plan included flying out from Heathrow on Christmas Day. Sadly for them, their plane was delayed and they spent most of Christmas Day at Heathrow, finally flying out at about 3.30pm! I've had regular emails and photos from them since, and am following their travels on my wonderful map of the world (my Christmas present from Daughter last year). They are having a fabulous time, and the photos of white beaches and blue sparkling water are making me quite envious. They have stayed in some magical places and eaten some fantastic food. The latest email (today) is from Hanoi, which looks like a rather mad and exotic city!  So Son's experiences of 2013 are already quite different. They are going to finish up with a flight to Auckland to visit his Dad and stay for 2 weeks. In all they will have been away for 6 weeks! What a trip!
   The other piece of news is that I am going to Thailand too! Daughter's new Boyfriend's family have planned a holiday in Koh Samui in April, and invited Daughter, Grandson and me! They are meeting up with other family from Australia and friends from Dubai! This, I have to say, is not normal for me, as most of you will know! But how fantastic. I just said "yes" - no hesitation at all! It's a first for me, and I can't wait.
   So, so far 2013 is going to be a year of change. Apart from the Thailand trip (two weeks in April) I am going to Majorca in March with a London BF whose father died in December, and who is booking us a special holiday week there. And my dear Brighton BF, whose husband died at the end of October, is planning several trips for us. First will be Venice (we have been talking about this for years, and couldn't really go while her husband was so ill) and then I'm up for just about anything in the way of travel. She is in Barbados as we speak, and is going to find us somewhere to rent for next January and February. It all sounds great. And in between the travelling I'm sure there will be other bits of Life, with a capital L.
   As I always say, I'll keep you posted :-)