Another summer gone...

Hi Holly,

Well another summer has gone by and today it's pouring with rain and cold... A miserable sort of day, made more miserable by seeing a little girl on my way in to work who looked just like you did when you were 6... Hey ho...

I've been thinking of you a lot recently... I don't know if you've had the remotest thought come through, but I've been having weird dreams that we can communicate by thoughts, even though we can't see each other. Probably just another sign of my advancing senility or I'm going slightly mad or I'm just a normal Dad who really misses his little girl... one of those...

I've had a big problem with Mikey this week - he went to University on Saturday, but on Sunday he decided that it really wasn't for him, so he came home. I thought that the next 3 years of his life were all planned out, but now we've got to try and decide what he's going to do... tricky times..

I hope school is going well for you. I wish I knew how you were getting on - what you're good at and what you're not. I hope you like Geography, 'cos that was always my favourite subject and I loved finding out about all the different parts of the world - I still do, though now I also try and visit the places that fascinate me! I also hope you like sport and that some of the sporting genes have travelled down to you - although I don't mind if you've decided not to be a rugby player!

Going back to the travel, Pip and I went to Norway in the summer and flew up to a little place called Kirkenes in the very far North of the country, right by the Russian border. We then caught the Coastal ferry all the way down the coast to Bergen. The journey took 6 days, half of which was within the Arctic Circle. We saw the Northern Lights and saw some fantastic Fjords and scenery. It was one of the best trips I've ever been on and if you get the chance one day, you should try it. The trip is called the Hurtigruten and if you put that in Google, you will see all about it. Later this year, we're going to visit your Uncle Paul who lives in Ras al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates - that should be fun too.

Although I'm not quite sure how this happened, I'm 50 next year (!), and I want to do something special to celebrate the fact that I'm still here... My first choice would be a holiday with you, but I guess that's pretty unlikely... My second choice is a trip to Greenland! I'm working on that, but it's quite tricky to organise... we'll see...

Ian has finished University now and he graduated with a 2:1 in Classical Civilisation. He's not sure exactly what he wants to do yet, but he's been working for a company that does internet hotel bookings since he graduated, to earn some money. He and his girlfriend, Val are then going travelling in the Far East for 3 months after Christmas. After that, he will be looking for a full time job and starting a career... more exciting times...

Katie is still working with disadvantaged children and seems to be doing well - at least she hasn't crashed a car in the last 6 months!! She's moved in with her boyfriend, Kris and they seem to be getting along fine.

Work is busier than ever, but I'm just about keeping on top of it. I still have your photos on my desk and have a little chat with you every morning... I love you Holly, and I still hope that one day, before too much longer, we can see each other again...

Love as ever,

Dad
xxx