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

I've just decided to go to see my parents over Easter. Not seen them for a very long time - since going to see the TS Mercury with Roy and then it was only a flying visit to park little while we went gallivanting.

I'm really looking forward to it. Mind you, it's expensive, so I didn't book a sailing near the Easter dates, as it cost £20 extra!!!

What a lovely idea ZSF Just think of all that seaside I hope you have a great time. Will you be taking little easter egg hunting?

I really get annoyed with transport companies who hike up the fares at popular times too. Or is it that they reduce the fares at less popular times Whatever, my rule is that the fares should be at their lowest when I want to travel


Fb

Hi Fb!

Our trips to the seaside were tempered by my dad's state of health (ability to climb and descend hills), so we only went twice to places where there was a beach and the tide was in both times. We were very fortunate for the weather, although I wasn't so fortunate with my camera, as it decided to run out of battery while I was there and I hadn't packed the charger). We went to Shanklin and Yarmouth (which hasn't got beaches to speak of but is lovely and restful). Little bought some fool's gold from a little shop in Yarmouth and is well pleased with it - he identified it on his own!

We also went to a steeam traction engine rally, which my dad enjoyed - they had all sorts of steam engines, traction engines, motorcycles and old vehicles on show, plus demonstrations like log-cutting - the smell of newly cut logs is lovely - all that fragrant sawdust! We also bought some fresh milk (from the morning's milking) and some local honey.

Traveller in Time on his head
"Sounds very pleasant and comfy, good to hear!
Is it not sad to have to go far to visit your parents, we see eachother every fortnight. "

Hello ZSF

I'm glad you had a good time. There is something incredibly soothing about being by the sea, isn't there? It would be great to live close to it

Real honey and fresh milk You lucky things

Do you feel rested and recharged now? Ready to take on London again?

Fb

Hi TiT , Hi Fb

Yes, it's a little sad that my parents are not easy to get to (and expensive too).

Mind you, the holiday had its ups and downs. One of the downs was when mum insisted I visit a friend of hers - to show me off and get brownie points - was cross that I hadn't washed my hair specially (it was OK looking) and not only told her friend that she wanted me to wash it, but combed it in front of her friend - twice! I told her later in no uncertain terms that she was not to treat me like an 8 year old. She admitted she'd done it to embarrass me, but she wasn't at all sorry!

Traveller in Time in learning mode
"Let us try and not behave that way to our children.

My mother _always_ washes our coffee mugs (hence they are cleaned more then once a fortnight) storing them somewhere strange.
My mother in law manages always to throw away the last 'old newspapers' we tend to use to collect compostable garbage.

I start to think it is something genetically programmed (must be unequal 42)"

Mothers are like that There is something about being a mother that allows women to behave in completely unacceptable ways towards their children (especially daughters). Largely a control thing - "I still have influence over this person" - when they are feeling threatened by our independence and their lack of a role in our lives.

I am delighted not to be a mother

Still, you did have the seaside ZSF

Fb

Hi TiT and Fb

I entirely agree! I hope I never do that to my little ! When I was talking to my dad about it, he said something similar. With mum, it's not only to do with control, but she's really anxious to please her neighbour. I have to be paraded out to her, and to be honest, I don't think the neighbour is that fussed. She used to see much more of her, now the neighbour is rather less available. Mum always has to go to her; she never goes round to see mum. Dad can't understand it. He said that she had him, it wasn't as though she was a widow. I think it's a touch of insecurity.

On the positive side, little really likes going round to see her - she feeds him crisps and , and , which I don't give him that much of.

Still, as you say, we did have lovely weather and the seaside and mum and dad really enjoyed having us there.

Yeah, my Mum has a thing about showing me off to her friends too. Sometimes I'm pretty sure she's only asking me things about my life, so that she can boast about me at her next coffee morning

On the plus side of that, I entertained all of her closest friends a few weeks ago when I was staying with her. I made and , provided s and regaled them all with wild and woolly stories about and Australia. They are all keen as mustard that I return there, so that Mum can pass on my latest adventures. As a result, she's stopped being bitter and twisted about my departure and is almost enthusiastic about it

You really do have to love mothers sometimes!

Fb

Oh, it's somewhat of a relief to find that I'm not the only one who has to suffer being paraded and boasted about, Fb!

You sound to be really good on the mother-psychology there. Perhaps I can take lessons from you on this? I suppose it's a way of vicarious living for the mums who resort to this. I've just remembered, my ex failed his degree and his mum didn't want to let on, so she told everyone he'd got a 2:1.