Our elder son left for London today. We're so happy for him. He has a five year ancestral visa, so can take his time deciding when, and if, he wants to come home again. He says he wants to settle in Brisbane eventually. But for now, it's all an open book. What a thrill that must be! He's fortunate in that he has a number of I.T. friends in London to stay with, and to show him around. He has already booked a holiday in Lithuania and Latvia with a friend, before we catch up with him in Manchester in a month. Mrs Snowy spent a couple of years in London in her salad days, and has been most encouraging of our elder son and his sister to do the same. Our daughter has just received approval for a five year extension of her ancestral visa, so is rather pleased about that. She's in a relationship with a nice Scottish lad, and plans to return to Oz in around twelve months after she's seen all she wants to see in Europe. Our younger son has shown no interest in following his siblings, but that may change. It's his choice. We have him home this weekend. Always a pleasure.
Mrs Snowy's nephew is getting married in Manchester in May, so we are going over to attend, as well as spend some time with our daughter in Inverness, where I just might be persuaded to do a tour of the whisky distilleries. After the wedding, we'll all go down to Cornwall for a week. Cornwall is from where my paternal great grandparents emigrated in 1853, so I want to see the little village, Ladock, where they came from, as well as the cathedral in Truro where they were married. And a certain bay that has my surname. I did read somewhere that it is thought that the Normans named the bay first, and my ancestors took our surname from that. Who knows. I'd like to spend some time there anyway, and reflect on the life my ancestors might have lived.
Then it's two lovely weeks in London. How we love that city! Even this country boy felt at home there when we were there four years ago. There is just so much to see there. And the history! How I love to savour the atmosphere of those places where great things happened. Last time we were too late to go through Westminster Abbey. This time I want to walk through that lovely building which is the final resting place of so many of Britain's greatest sons, and where kings and queens were crowned, married and later buried. Then there's the War Office that is as it was left when the war ended in 1945. I'd like to picture the occupants busily doing the things that had to be done to ensure the very survival of their country, and for that matter, ours. And so much more.
Then, I'll be glad to return to Oz. I love this country. I've always felt privileged to have lived my life here. To be an Aussie. Yes, a privilege indeed. I'm glad my ancestors chose to make the long and dangerous voyage here. And yes, it was voluntary, in case you're wondering...
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