It’s been a year.

Losing Julia and David so suddenly and so close together. Finally meeting Sean and catching up with the Australian fam on their Tour de France escapades. Josh coming to live with us. Our trips to Uganda and Slovenia. Kiki visiting as part of her travels round Europe.

Highs, lows, joy, chaos and everything in between. The house has been full, busy and buzzing for a long time now and we’ve all thrived on the energy that old and new friends and family have brought to our home.

With Josh heading off today, it’s just the four of us again and already feels very quiet. We’ll expect the door to bing later and Josh bounce in for a glass of The Guvnor after his show. But the bedrooms are empty now and we have the top shelves of fridge and pantry to ourselves once again.

Time to settle down to work and school as the leaves turn, weather worsens and the evenings draw in.