Yesterday was a bit fraught what with all the last minute packing and making sandwiches etc. for Archie's trip to Austria on the coach. He had to go to school in the morning which I thought was rather cruel of them- better to have gone off first thing and had the whole day to travel. Anyway, in the morning I went into town to take my mind off the lunchtime trauma of waving him goodbye. I found a video in the library sale, which they seem to have every other week now. Its a comedy that I can't remember the name of, off hand, but it has Robert Crumb in it briefly. American Splendour? Something like that.
At lunchtime we went down to the school with all the other parents and waited whilst the bags were stuffed into the hold. This took ages as they had far too much stuff! So plenty of time for family hugs and goodbyes. Anyone would think he was going around the world for 6 months! It was good to see Archie looking happier now his bags were on board and he had his seat next to James and Matthew, his friends. Eventually after an hour or so they closed the doors and rolled off only to stop a few yards further on for more searching of documents or maps or something? After a short delay they were off again and we went home to our very quiet house and lunch. A few hours later got a text from Archie saying they were passing London and making good time. Another an hour after that saying they were going by Eurostar and not a ferry as planned! It will be quicker though and no sea sickness to worry about. A few hours later another text saying he was in France. It was good to get these brief messages so we knew he was o.k. but then you start to wait for the next one!
Well, it's the next morning and no further text messages so hopefully he's getting some sleep or at least some rest and will be in Austria soon so they can stretch their legs and get settled into the hotel. We miss him but you have to let them stretch their wings a bit don't you.
15 comments:
Strewth..this has been a harder than I imagined.
I know he is in safe hands and going for a wonderful adventure but I have never felt so empty and fraught..no one tells you how hard it is being a mom!! I can't wait to have him home again.
Pathetic isn't it?
The last text said he was "nearly there but home sick."....not even there and he wants to come home!!texts arn't so good when they say that.
I am sure he will be happier when he gets settled in the hotel and off that coach..
Awwww, you two are such sweet parents! My folks loved getting us out of their hair during summer camp and vacations with grandma.
I hope Archie has a blast!
Another text later this afternoon said he had arrived and there was lots of snow and he didn't feel homesick anymore and added a SORRY as he knew it was written on the spur of the moment and was liable to upset us, so that was good to hear. I would hate a 24 hour coach trip too - not wonder he was feeling down. Hopefully now he's arrived he'll have a nice rest and get into the skiing.
We took advantage of his absence to watch "Ghost World" that weve been meaning to watch for ages Angelica since you recommended it. Great film! I can see why it's one of your favourites with all the old photos and collectables and eccentric characters etc. Some nice music too.
Glad that he's arrived safe and hopes that he'll remain safe on the slopes.
I went to summer camp when I was his age.... was homesick all the time !!!
Where in Austria is he ???
I enjoyed "American Splendor"...
Why'd you have to wait for Arch to be away to watch "Ghost World" ??
Porno, is it ???
No jon its not a porno...just has a few bits of swearing.....mind you he has heard worse in the car when I am driving!!
A great film ..thanks Angelica..good choice.
Another text off Archie...he had been skiing all day and is very tired..and he wants me to phone to say good night...bless
Dunno who misses who...
He's in Gostling , Jonathan, with a couple of dots over the "o". I had a look for it on the Google Earth site but I couldnt find it but impressively mountainous when you tilted the landscape! His phone has run out of credit so Hazel will have to get him some more today in Manchester. It's horrible being cut off from him. That cell phone has been a comforting link but also a curse at times. All the other kids have them though now, so he would have felt left out not having one.
Hazel phoned james' Mom to tell her his phone was playing up too but maybe its a signal failure as his credits are o.k. She said she'd spoken to James yesterday and they have been having some strange food by all accounts- plastic frankfurter and chips ( I expect Archie had a chip butty) and "horrible" soup.
I Googled Gostling, Austria and got some info... seems to be the middle of nowhere. Thought he might be nearer to Turin in case they needed to draft him for the Olympics. It appears that there are 19 restaurants there... maybe he can sneak out for a decent meal...
I think I win on the missing him stakes....
Letting him go on that coach was the hardest thing.
Its great to hear that he is having a great time now though....swimming and bowling,skiing and snowman making.....how could it get any better for Archie....snowballl fights...wow.
Now you've got me missing him !!!
and thinking about bowling...
The bowling is more like skittles and not the mechanised american bowling apparently. Archie said the ball was square!
He's managed to twist his knee getting off a ski lift so feeling rather sorry for himself at the moment. He's had to miss the torch lit evening ski session.
He says he's sick of snow and looking forward to coming home. O dear. Hopefully he will feel more upbeat tomorrow aftera nights rest.
Coming home is an important part of any trip... (sometimes the best part).
Actually he did make the night-time skiing and we got a very late text around 11 ( in Austria anyway as they are an hour in front) to say that he went afterall and he was o.k. though his leg hurts. So hope he didnt make it worse by going. Worry worry. You can't help it and feel unable to do much except send sympathetic texts.
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