I'm Off...

I thought that I'd be posting all the time through the summer holidays but this heat has completely thrown my routines.  The first 'holiday' of the holiday (if you see what I mean) is also looming large.  I'm taking my parents away for a week to a little cottage near Lampeter.  I can't believe that I booked this break back in January.  2012 is certainly flying by!

Mark, who only gets 'normal' holidays, is holding the fort in Worcester.  He doesn't mind me going away for a week without him as long as I leave a reasonable stock of meals that he can throw together with minimum thought.  As a result I've been busy cooking meals for us this week, making extra portions to re-heat next week and planning food for the beginning of my break with Mum and Dad.  I think it's close to being organised.

I feel lucky to have the chance to spend some quality time with my parents like this.  When they lived in Manchester I used to go and stay up there during the long holiday.  When Dad retired and they came to live round the corner, it seemed logical to maintain the 'week together' tradition.  We've visited a lot of the Devon coast and most of Welsh coast over the last 12 years.   However the Lampeter area is going to feel new to us because we haven't been there for the best part of 40 years!  The last time we visited was a camping holiday back in 1973.... 

Mum (who has Huntington's Disease) has been finding life a bit 'tricky' (her words) recently.  She's been feeling very low and anxious, which are typical day to day symptoms of any degenerative disease.  Dad (as her main carer) has been caught up in this.  I'd go away with them regardless of Mum's health - but it's nice to think that I can give Dad a 'double holiday' by taking on some responsibility for a few days.

If you are going on holiday shortly - hope that you have a fabulous time.  If you have just got back from a break - I hope that it was fantastic!