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.