Well How many years has it been since I wrote here?
It's two years actually and so much has happened in that time. Reading the last posts, it reminds me of a time when I was feeling pretty low. Steve had begun his me job with Carnival and I was feeling pretty low!
Two years on and Steve's sea career has continued, I gave up work a year ago and have had been very fortunate to travel with Steve. Earlier this year we joined Steve's ship in Sydney and I had six weeks cruising Australia, Bali, The Philippines,  Shanghai, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The last port of call was Singapore where I disembarked and flew back to the UK to attend Hazel, my Goddaughter's wedding.

Just back from a lovely holiday in the South Of France. Six days staying with Elaine and Brian at their son and daughter in law's spacious home, large garden and swimming pool, so a lot of time spent relaxing, also meals out, barbecues and a visit to a local market. The added attraction was Gissmo the family's 8 week old kitten. I'm not normally a cat person, but he was absolutely gorgeous:) I wanted to stay and cat sit instead of coming back, but then its probably because I don't want to go back to work next week

Today I'm feeling miserable:( We were out at a party last night and I drank moderately, so no hang over. Is it that in two weeks time Steve will be off on his travels with his new job and I'm extremely jealous that he can get away from the mundane routines of ordinary life. Is it the affect of some medication that I have been prescribed and have been taking now for three nights. My beloved little car is on the market, it makes complete sense to sell it as for eight months a year we will have only one driver in the house. However its my car and once again I'm feeling that I'm making a sacrifice. Not that anybody wants to buy it yet. We have been offered ridiculously low amounts for it, yes it has a few little scratches, but its three years old and ppl are expecting mint condition!
I feel like I want to weep and knowing that I have no reason for feeling this way doesn't make me snap out of it. Can't even tell anyone how I'm feeling.

Today I have been to vote. I knew exactly which party would get my vote in the council elections. Deciding which way to vote in the AV referendum was more of a conundrum. Ian has had a lot to say on the subject on is fb page.
I am feeling a bit anxious about Steve's departure, which is more than two weeks away. Suddenly two months seems so much longer than the month trips he's been doing during the past six months. Don't want to wish my life away, but hoping this next year zooms by!

Gosh May already, another year is moving on all too fast. What a glorious May it has been with hours of warm sunshine each day. Soon the gardeners will be calling out for rain to quench the hard earth and help their flowers and crops grow.
Steve has been home for more than a month and today his travel arrangements arrived advising of his travel Itinerary for when he goes to Vancouver to join the Arcadia. Boy, am I envious. I'd love to be going with him. I know Steve will be working very hard as an engineer, it doesn't make it any easier. Perhaps if all our plans fall into place I will be able to go with him next year.
There seems a mountain to climb before then. My annoying (not life threatening in any way) health problems need sorting out again, more tests and scans to be completed before my two consultants agree a plan. Yesterday when seeing the female specialist she deduced that my many years of problems are all down to the work of an obstertrician thirty years ago who delivered my darling first born. I knew this, but the only people to have expressed this have been my female GP and this consultant:(
My Mother also has her health problems and a few appointments luming! When push comes to shove will I be able to leave her with no support.
We had a lovely Easter, visiting first Matt and Anna in Bedford before going to North to Sheffield to see Ian & Ruth. Both girlfriends are fantastic young women, I do hope my boys realise this.

Wow, well this is the first time I have written here for a very long time. Lots has happened in that time. I'm getting used to a big change in our lives. Steve is currently on his second trip back at sea. Having spent about two years re qualifying as a Marine Engineer, he escaped the world of IT and the job which had been making him so unhappy. Steve at this moment is feeling a little seasick. The wonders of the Internet allow us much better communication than it did 2o years ago, when I'd wait for weeks for a blue letter and they would all come tumbling through the letter box at the same time. I chat online to Steve most days and we also talk on the satellite ships phone, which isn't always very good. Steve took this job in the North Sea to enable him to accrue his sea time which will mean his chief engineer's certificate will be completely re validated. Our hopes are that Steve will get a job travelling further afield and that I will eventually go with him:) My anxieties about joining Steve, are not leaving my job, or the boys, but not being around for my Mother. Mum, will, I know expect me to go, she had the opportunity to sail with my my Father and she understands the importance of time together for Steve & I. My Mother is a very feisty lady of 80. In recent months I have become aware of her frailty, she has her car which she drives once a week, in my mind I question whether she is safe, her eyesight is poor and she now has cataracts. I don't have the bottle to suggest that she gives up her car, as I said she is feisty:) I know when I offer to take her shopping she jumps at the offer, is this because in her heart she really prefers not to drive? Oh what a conundrum!
Christmas is now well behind us, it was a really busy time with a houseful of family. Ian & Matt both have wonderful girlfriends and it was having the four of them here together which really was the icing on the cake.

Today Sue my friend, whom I met on registration day at college in 1974 came to visit bringing Daisy her gorgeous 8 month old Granddaughter with her. Suddenly I'm feeling old, as friends who had their first child around the time I had my first born are becoming grandparents.
Suddenly it seems as if summer is back, so fingers crossed.