This is my son Joe and his fiancee Kerry. For quite a long time they have been planning to backpack around the world, taking about two years over it.
Of course I have been in total denial about their going. On Monday 25th February, to my surprise and horror, it was time for their off. Peter and I took them to Manchester Airport for the first leg of their trip. To Delhi. As a result of the torpor that has smitten me since their going, I have hardly bothered to switch the computer on; that's why there has been no new posting and very few comments on other peoples' blogs.
I had a phone call from Joe the other day. They moved from Delhi to Jodhpur and are now up by the Pakistan border.
Tearful goodbyes at Manchester Airport. (Mine, not theirs'!)
49 comments:
They both look like wonderful kids.
I'm sure your son has inherited Mummy Llamas common sense (if not your furry face and cloven hoof) and will be back soon, wanderlust satiated, to settle down and rear lots of little furry grandllamas.
To be honest Rob, Joe has twice the sense of mummy-llama!
Hi Lorenzo,
I soooo feel for you. I have this episode to come in my children's lives yet.
I rushed straight over from Rob's to personally give you as many hugs as you want. Please pop into the cafe and just "pick up" hugs as required in case I am not on hand to deliver. They're on tap in the pillbox.
What adventurers. Wish I would have done more of that kind of thing before I "knew better".
Hope you catch both of my comments back to you on my blog, Lorenzo. Yes, politics seems crazy sometimes at least, doesn't it.
Lorenzo... you could always don a backpack and go join them somewhere in a month or two!!!
Pakistan? I would rather sit beside my septic tank!!
I am not surprised you do not feel like blogging!
However I am surte they will be fine
What a swell looking couple and good for them! Do not worry, they will soon be back to the nest with great yarns to tell!
I will be your son (even though you are only a bit older than me)whilst he is away!.... right now! where is this week's pocket money, I may as well start how I mean to go on!
I so relate Lorenzo. My goodbye to Xena the W.P was equally tearful, though I'm happy to say we've both survived the separation and she'll be home in 3 weeks. It will fly by, believe me.
The situation with my other kids is a sourec of ongoing grief. So free Mummy hugs all round I reckon.
At least in these days you can keep in touch vial hotmail and internet cafes!
I'm only a fraction of the way through my much overdue "Gap Year". Lapland again in May...
wonderful photos...good to see your son, joe and his kerry. i wonder how long before they get tired of it?
i just hate saying goodbye...hello is much better!
Oh yeah, go join in the fun, Mummy Llamas are always wanted on a great and worldly adventure! .... NOT! :) At least they are calling home, I didn't when I had my grand and worldly adventure. I ran like the wind and got very dusty, very tired and very homesick. Also very broke. You will be fine, just untie that last apron string. All migrating creatures come home.
There they go, and you thought they'd never get out of diapers, isn't it? One of mine is leaving for Australia and Malaysia tomorrow.
I'm only just able to wave my boy goodbye on the doorstep when he leaves for school without a pang of worry. I can't quite tell if that's good parenting or just misplaced paranoia. It's a fine line, but as all have pointed out, I'm sure they'll be back before you realise it. and just think of the duty free!!
YoungerSon and the Beloved took off to travel round Europe 2 years ago. Admittedly it was only for 6 weeks, but I missed them and worried about them. They came back safe. And now they are married!!! It was an adventure for them, just as Joe and Kerry are embarking on their own adventure. And if things go wrong, they'll be home quick as a flash! Hard to let go, but so happy when they come back!
I don't like goodbyes. :(
"backpack around the world, taking about two years over it."
There's a book to written here methinks.
I pray the Lord would watch over them, and may they come home to you safe.
Just to take your mind off things. My sitemeter told me that someone ended up on my blog after doing a 'lorenso lama bike ride' search. Your page about riding the horse was four down on Google's list of suggestions ;-)
Let the wee laddie and lassie go yon llama mother.
Ahhh, the deposits to be made in their memory account. The treasures that can never depreciate ... but only increase in value with each successive recalling of the adventure.
Hope they're doing okay. I wonder if you hear from them regularly. I'm guessing you do.
I heard from Joe last night. He is enjoying himself, but it wasn't a very good line and then we got cut off.
I'm sure it was ever so hard to let them leave - you were very brave. Sometimes I think about Olivia moving away and it makes me very sad - and she's sitting, at this moment, in the very same room as I.
Hey drunky wunky dinky winky! How is it hanging? That's the hangover I mean!
That meffs gear is wicked stuff and it dus me Ed in!
Oh, I'm glad you posted those pics. They look so cute! :)
What an opportunty for them! One that few people get. I *know* it's hard on you, mom, but as others have said, the time will pass quicker than you think.
May God bless them and keep them on their journey.
At this point, I can't imagine it. L was to do a French course in Vichy for a month this summer, but we snatched her back from the brink. The weak dollar was blamed . . .
Lorenzo,
It is always more difficult for the one staying behind than for the one going. I empathize with you.
I'd love to meet your son!
Lorenzo,
Am praying for them. Hope you're warmer over there than we are here.
Lorenzo, Simon is sadly mistaken - much to his disappointment, I'm sure.
Have you heard from the kids? How far have the gotten? Will they actually go to Nepal? It would be cool if they could spend a night with Litl-Luther - makes blog friends seems like real friends.
Olivia and I are going to take a trip in about 10 days - eventful for us but surely nothing like backpacking around the world.
Hi Lorenzo
I'm sure they'll be fine. What a great opportunity! It's the kind of experience that really helps you grow and 'find yourself' - I'm sure you will be pleased at how much they'll have matured by the time they come back. It will be superb for them getting to know each other as well!
all the best
Val x
EEEEEEEEE Lorenzo, thats wonderful. All depends on their attutude. They'd love it or hate it. Little adjustments needed. Otherwise it would be a horror story. Being English they know What to expect. South is less chaotic and better connected. But real India is north. Thats where life flows. They have to go hunting for net cafes in the north, specially in Rajasthan.
hope they have a good time and learn how to adjust and live.
They don't seem to have much luggage for such an expedition.. do you think they packed enough underpants?
I was checking if your globe trotters had checked in with you. I see they have, goodie! :-)
I wouldn't have wanted to be my mother when I left home.
Have you tried the new fab drink they called Tea! You have it hot, yes, I did say hot and it is made by putting hot water over dried leaves, amazing stuff, I know of a Gent that puts milk with his (freak!)
Whatever next! They will be burning and crushing beans next!
Hope you are well and where is my Easter egg?
It's so nice to be home among the nutters.
Hey! Your son Joe looks a bit like my son Joe. They are such a worry, Joes, arent they! Does yours keep blowing things up too?
Funny thing: You prepare them to be independent because thats what parents should do, and you just know they will use it to do things that make you worry.
Its the way of things.
Roses are red
violets are blue
this isn't fertilizer
it's smelly old poo
I agree with perlnumquist here lorenzo. Trouble is, you have bred your young man to have an adventurous outlook on life. Maybe you should have stuck with the norm and turned him into a couch potato ;-)
>you have bred your young man to have an adventurous outlook on life
Just so long as you haven't bred him to be enthusiastic. My "boyish enthusiasm" was cited in the divorce petition as unreasonable behaviour. And since the judge granted the petition, is must follow that, in law, boyish enthusiasm is axiomatically unreasonable. By precedent.
Boyish enthusiasm.... dammit, behaviour doesn't get any more unreasonable than that! Now, mannish enthusiasm,... that's a completely different kettle of fish.
Hi Lorenzo, you must be eager to hear from Joe and Kerry.
i have problems with boyish enthusiasm. My young friends accuse me of being selfish when i go traveling, forest trekking alone. they insist on going along. i know the problems Lorenzo. hope Joe and Kerry are contacting you every day.
Where are they now ?
love and hugs Lorenzo
Boyish enthusiasm indeed. I have often wondered what would happen if I put Peter, Maalie, Simon, TCA, Martin and Jeremy Clarkson together for an evening. Chaos.
Well I wish them well and s safe trip.
You might feel better if you stop by my brookville daily photo blog and take a look at me wearing a blonde wig.
LtL
I batter Jeremy Clarkson to death with an exhaust pipe and then we'd all go down the pub.
W
I had to Google Jeremy Clarkson to find out who he is. Now I understand the exhaust pipe reference.
We're not too bright out here in the Colonies y'know.
Have you heard from Joe and Kerry recently? Have they phoned for extra money yet?
Off to Virginia. A joyfilled Easter to you dear Llama.
Speak for your own colony ex-shamm;-) simon and I are managing quite happily here in the Antipodes!!
How are you Lorenzo dear? You're being awfully quiet. At least you can have a nice gin and chocolatey weekend.
Hello, we're doing fine. Thanks for all your concerns Pakistan border(Jaisalmer) was beautiful. Lovely pic of Kez, awful one of me! Take Care Mum
Joe and Kerry
xxx
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