h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The children are away.

Iz has gone to Dublin City University for a three week residential course in social psychology. Like a typical 15-year-old, she doesn't want to talk to us while she's there. She's too busy hanging out with her friends.

El has gone off with her friend E to Cardiff. They're going to see the Doctor Who exhibition and all the Torchwood locations, and generally snoop around the town.

I've spent my freedom putting up shelves, drinking beer and not worrying about not having regular meals.

Can't fault you Gnomon - give them freedom and they will come back home - like the butterfly - let it go and it will come back.

True It takes some getting used to, but it makes everyone appreciate family more.

Websailor

I think I cried for about 2 weeks solid when my eldest went away to University. I still miss him - thirteen years later!

Our children left the nest very gradually . . . into their thirties . . .

My oldest three all left home for good when they were 17 although the eldest did return as a house-guest when she was made homeless for a few months, until she got herself organised.

Andrew is now 17 but I don't think he's going anywhere (yet).

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I'm sure Gordon would take you for a romantic weekend in Cardiff if you asked nicely!

Why Cardiff? Wonderful though it is, cariad!

Mine left, came back, left, came back and finally left again

Now it's quiet

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Hey - I've just had a week like that (except for the , but with lots of singing). Hubby being away with a school trip to Italy, I finally made a start on my wardrobe which has needed seeing to for ages. Unfortunately, I hadn't finished when he got back on Saturday morning, but that had its good side too, as I needed extra hands to hold something while I wielded the drill.

As for the kids leaving home. The eldest one's bed is still made up, even though he's been married for nearly a month now.

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Hardly, he has to arrange cover for his Mum who lives with him and needs a full-time carer.

Well in 1967, I had a home, five children beautiful garden, and a wandering husband, who disappeared one night and did not return.!! Well he did, but with a delightful lass seven years older than our daughters. She subsequently became his third wife.

He certainly was not ready for an established nest. !!
So away he flew, followed by my step children whom he returned (conveniently) to his first wife - though they returned to their step mother myself!!_ and my nest was never empty.

However, next instalment later when I get it into sequential order. !!

Christiane.
AlsoRan80
tWednesday 29th june 2010 9.20 BST