Monday 23 June 2008

A surprise vist and imminent parental worries

Yup I think my face has almost stopped burning . . . bit concious of my laugh though . . . and wary of my mobile phone . . . berludy thing.

So the berludy thing rang. . . Saturday night – looking forward to a quiet night in, good food (HS doing the cooking) a not too horrible bottle of wine (bargain from Sainsbury's).

'Hi Mum . . . are you in?' (Wildchild)

Pause . .

'Yes!'

'Can I come up and have a shower!'

'Spose!'

Evening out of the window . . . or door – why does it always have to be a window . . .couldn't it go up the chimney.

But you guessed it both HS and I were delighted . . . the evening and the chimney already forgotten.

Wildchild, having passed her end of year three exams with flying colours, was on a field trip (part of next years Honours Course) and staying at a nearby Outdoor Centre. She and those in her group had spend the day catching and ringing birds. The Outdoor Centre is excellent, but no frills. Wildchild and three friends arrived looking for home comforts, warmth and a hot shower.

The house filled with excited young chatter as everyone fussed over the dogs, the cat, met Cyd and failed to see him scoop up his 'Taste the Difference' pieces of Sainsbury's Salmon. Towels were produced . . . showers had. Raincoats and walking gators lent. Hair washed and straightened. Childhoods remembered . . . In the space of ten minutes Wildchild managed to leave towels, drier, straighteners and tissues all over the bedroom . . . the explosion of her presence was small . . . time constraints, she can do better. . . oh so much better . . .

Glad to know that as parents we still have something to offer our children . . . a hot shower, a washing machine, food . . . unconditional love, all in a heatbeat. Wildchild even hugged me in front of her friends . . . so getting over the embarrassing mother bit then – that's no berludy good . . . I must try harder.

Wildchild will be close by until Wednesday then she goes back to Dundee for a couple of days before flying out to Trinidad . . .gulp . . .Yes Trinidad. Bye bye Wildchild, hello instant worry . . .Trinidad . . still can't get to grips with this – Trinidad for six weeks – part of her Uni course – she will be studying endangered parrots. . . gawd . . . she and her friends chattered confidently about the dangers of the snakes and spiders . . . eeeek all too real . . .no malaria though . . .phew . . . just yellow fever . . .cerikey . . . and insects . . . they are all taking Jungle Formula with Deet . . . BERLIMEY . . .and working ten hours a day . . . speechless . . .

But wow what an amazing experience for her . . . She will be away on her 21st Birthday . . . yes HS and I are sad she won't be here, but no doubt she will be spoiled rotten by her friends and how many people get to say they celebrated their 21st Birthday in Trinidad. HS and I managed to sneak a Catherine Tate talking (am I bothered it's your 21st Birthday) card and a badly wrapped in Xmas paper packet of Haribo sweets to one of Wildchild's friends, another Trinidad traveller. Hope they bring a smile to Wildchild's face and happy thoughts of us on her birthday.

And yes KittyB – this was the packet of Haribos you sent to me as part of a swap. Every expense spared!

HS and I are planning a surprise to meet Wildchild at Gatwick when she returns . . . schhhhhhhh . . .don't know if it will happen yet.

So here we are full of pride and holding back the tears . . . sob . . . .

PLUS . . .Robot Boy finished his exams on Thursday (he is quietly confident he has got through ok). . . and moved in with his lovely girlfriend on the Friday (yes HS and I like her . . phew). RB is staying in Scotland so won't have to long distance worry about him . . .just the usual worry then . . . WHERE, oh where did the time go . . . checks chimney . . . settles down with photographs, nostalgia, no Haribos and a berludy big box of tissues . . . sigh . . .

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like your Saturday night was full of love. I know someone who has worked in Trinidad for the past few years. I'm sure it'll be a chance of a lifetime and she will enjoy every minute.

CJ xx

Kitty said...

Trinidad? How cool is that. Obviously you'll worry and miss her and all the rest, but Trinidad? Wow. Can't you fit in the suitcase, you're only tiny.
I am honoured that my special packet of Haribo is on its way to Trinidad to be a 21st birthday present. Top stuff.

mountainear said...

What a lovely surprise - what are parents for after all?

Trinidad will be amazing - what an opportunity. 6 weeks will pass in a flash.

Milla said...

what a great time she's going to have, it'll fly by (once the drag of the first couple of days) and, meanwhile, so nice still to be of use!

CAMILLA said...

I know you will miss your daughter Westerwitch, but what a wonderful opportunity to be going to Trinidad. My son off to China end of month, there's me, a worrying Mother too.

Six weeks will soon pass WW, hope you can get to Gatwick with HL for surprise meet,know your heart will be pounding.

Camilla.xxx

Maggie Christie said...

Just caught up on the last two of your blogs - I loved the phone one!

What a lovely surprise visit to get and how fantastic to get the chance to go to Trinidad! Lucky Wildchild. I hope she has a fabulous time.

Frances said...

Sounds like you all had a fine surprise evening.

Best wishes to Wildchild as she sets out into the world. I have two friends from Trinidad and they are such lovely folks ... very warm and wise personalities...just like you!

Best wishes to Robot boy too! Got to give him some air time.

xo

Elizabethd said...

How lovely to have had them with you, and I'm sure they appreciated just being in a family atmosphere. Of course you will miss her, but she'll be back with tales to tell.

Fire Byrd said...

How lovely to have a crowd of young people descend on you. I love it when that happens here, They have so much vitality.
What a great birthday adventure for your girl.
Good luck with the jaunt to Gatwick!

Exmoorjane said...

That sounded just great....love that she hugged you in front of her mates (though honestly, how could you be anything other than a cool mum?).....
jxx

Un Peu Loufoque said...

soemoen said as a parent you have to give your children roots nad wings you seem to have done both well. Job well done there then!

Norma Murray said...

Lucky girl to be on such an exciting course and to have such lovely parents. P. S I live only half an hours drive away from Gatwick, are you just coming down for the day or a bit longer..?

Casdok said...

How exciting!

And i live 10 mins from Gatwick!

Fennie said...

Oh that's lovely. So nice when they come home isn't it? And when they are away, what can go wrong? Ringing (as opposed to wringing) birds sounds fun especially parrots. Pretty Polly - anyone seen the Norwegian Blue?

blogthatmama said...

Wildchild's course sounds very exciting, I may become a mature student again once my own parrots have flown the nest (only 9 years to go!). What a thoughtful mum you are, Haribos too..

Inthemud said...

It is wonderful when the "children" come home for a visit and bring friends, I love all the hubbub and chatter.

What an exciting field trip , didn't do that sort of thing in my day! We went as far as Ickley and camped in a damp field! No sunshine fun for us!

My eldest is at glastonbury this weekend, she is working as security! Protecting the perimeter fence! Sounds very Colditz!

Good luk to Robot Boy, sure he'll have done just fine in his exams