Leaving Gibraltar

I'm flying back to England on November 1st. Will I miss Gib? I think yes and no, I won't miss the weather as I'm not a sun worshipper. It's ok when you're on vacation, but try working!

I'll miss the anarchic Llanito sense of humour,but not the undercurrent of tension that always runs between them and the Spanish.

I'll miss kissing and hugging everyone at the start and end of a workday, but not the constant shouting that is normal conversation for them.

I'll miss Spanish radio, but I'm looking forward to getting BBC radio 2 on any radio in the house instead of having to go via the internet.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing my family whenever the mood takes me, instead of having to apply for leave, and pay airfares. So goodbye Gibraltar, it's been fun, but it's time for my next 'chapter'.

Invisible Women

My eldest daughter commented the other day that she had lots of photos of her siblings,dad,grandparents, etc,but hardly any of me. "I was the photographer" I said, and now I've noticed since she became a mum, the same thing is happening to her. The thing is neither of us likes to be photographed,we hate the result and are too hard on ourselves. It occurred to me that they are not pictures to pander to our egos, they are a record for our family.

I have a photo of my father in law as a baby, identical to my grandson here. A picture of my grandmother at 15, I can see me and my nephew in her face. I never met her, but the picture helps me feel that sense of family. Now we can email photos, friends and family can share these memories easily with each other,and perhaps Helen and I will obtain more pictures of ourselves. I promise I will smile the next time mother in law gets her camera out!