LETTER IN THE TIMES

Hurray! I thought I was losing my touch. I've not had a letter printed in the Times for a few weeks now (not that I'm a fanatical letter-writer) but this morning I've got one in. My only disappointment is that it's not in the coveted bottom right position - although it's not far off. This week there was an obituary in the paper and the headline stated that the person had been an avid letter-writer to the Times - I wonder if they'll say that about me?

THE CRUISE GIFT STORE

Good service pleases me - especially when shopping online. For his dad's birthday, the London son brought home a beautifully-wrapped package of cruise items - really appropriate since it was just two weeks before we were setting sail. He said he'd found the site http://www.cruisegiftstore.com/  while browsing on  the internet (although he probably put it in a 'cooler' way than that). A friend also loves cruising (posher than us, she goes on the QE2) so I knew exactly where to go for her birthday present. The gifts arrived yesterday and I couldn't be more pleased. Included along with my order there was a thank-you note from the store's owner and  a lovely little fan in the shape of a dolphin.

 

CRAIGATKINSON.CO.UK

The artist son has always got reviews and interviews in various magazines at any one time but I found the latest one particularly interesting, since a lot of it refers to his childhood. Apparently he gave his teachers a hard time - something I'm glad I didn't know about at the time and since he's too old for a smack I'm forced to let it pass.

MALAYSIA

We've now studied the holiday itinerary left behind by the L'Oreal son. I didn't sleep last night - all I could see was a haze of Air Asia planes and missing luggage followed by imodium and rehydration tablets. For ten days he and C from Harpenden will be whizzing from Kuala Lumpar to the orangutans and from there to Penang and from there to somewhere else with time zones flashing past like there's no tomorrow. His Dad has asked me to knock him out and wake him up when the homeward-bound plane lands at Heathrow. I have to say though that the hotels look superb and if someone could just lift me up and put me in one I'd be very happy.

It was good to see the L'Oreal son looking well when he came back for the weekend and he went back a bit more tanned than when he arrived.  There was the normal sibling banter and insults flying around as our three offspring discussed money-making schemes  such as opening a shop called "Urine Alley Tearoom" - nice. My suggested name of "Coffee and a slice" was shouted down by our daughter who thought that customers would expect to be knifed - I don't know what sort of tearooms she frequents. Anyway in the end I think we all decided that by the time I'd made the cakes and scones for Urine Alley Tearoom there wouldn't be much of a profit. And I daresay the joint would be closed down before it opened.

NEIL DIAMOND

We watched Neil Diamond on TV last night and all the old songs reminded me of my youth. I've now booked seats at the MEN for next Sunday - unfortunately they're behind the stage - so will we see him? and if so will we only see his back? My husband has an aversion to all things involving communal clapping and arm waving so I've put him in front of the TV to watch last night's recording so that he can practise.

OSCAR

The 22 week picture of Oscar!