Make that 19...

Another year and tempus is fuging faster than ever, but at least it's been nice to keep up with some of what you're doing through the wonders of Twitter...

Your job sounds great and I hope it leads on to whatever you want in life - it certainly sounds like a great start! This time last year you were talking about going to University, but I've come to the conclusion that unless you have something very specific to study for like medecine or law, you are probably much better off plunging straight into the world of work than going to Uni these days. In 3 years time, you might be well set in a job you like - and not have £25,000 debt to start life with! I've never really regretted not going to University although that first job as a shipping agent when I was 18 does seen an awful long time ago! The £800 a year salary didn't go far either!

Well it's been a year of change for me - your brothers and sister have moved into their own places now, so it's just Pip, me and Jasper at home. Jasper is getting old now (he's 17!) and he was diagnosed with throat cancer in the summer - but he's been on chemotherapy drugs and steroids since then, and he seems to be in remission. We've got a brilliant vet and he was telling me that he has one cat patient who has been on these drugs for over 2 years and is still going strong, so hopefully Jasper will be with us a bit longer... He and I have been through a lot together and life without him will be... well, it won't be the same... I'll send you a tweet on your birthday and I've made a photo to go with it - you and me, then and now, and Jasper!

I don't expect to get an answer and I hope that if I only contact you once a year, that won't be seen as anything other than what it is - a Dad who has missed 13 years of his daughter growing up, through no choice of his own, and who hopes every day that one day, she will become a part of his life again...

This year I've thought of you in France, Ibiza, Iceland, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen, Dominica and Berlin - and I've got some great tales to tell about each one! Hopefully one day I'll be to share them with you - as you can see, I only do 2 things these days - work and travel!

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful year Holly and that all your dreams come true.

I love you, my beautiful girl...

Dad xxx