Farewell party

"Yes I'll do a blog" I said, never having looked at one or knowing what it was exactly but feeling that it was something people did when they went travelling. So here we go, I've created my account despite my family thinking I was incapable and here I am writing this morning after my farewell party when everyone else is asleep. What can I say except I was really touched by seeing everyone last night and how much I'm going to miss them all. In fact everything is so normal I feel like a fraud having everyone's attention and receiving all these presents and good wishes. I now have 2 wind up lamps, sting relief, mosquito spray, a leather bound journal, a silk sheet bag and a t-shirt covered in lots of good wishes and wise sayings. The loveliest thing though was having all my wonderful family there. They have all been so supportive and good about me going away because I suspect like me they can't really imagine it either. I'm trying not to think too much about the things I'm going to miss like Lisa moving house and Gen's start at university. They are all so independent and so good at coping I'm sure they will be fine. Phoebe,(dog) is the one who IS dependent on me and I feel guilty already about how she will cope and I can only hope that my departure won't be too traumatic. Anyway, normality continues for another 2 weeks and apart from vacinations, packing etc... there will not be anything of note to add I hope.