William set off on his travels around Asia, Australia and New Zealand a little over a week ago. He’ll be away for six months. He’s gone on his own, which I believe is the right thing. That’s the way to meet new people, rather than sticking with those you know. It also gives you the freedom to move on if you want to – no ties. We dropped him off at the airport at an unGodly hour of the morning. I was fine until we had to watch him go through passport control. And then I wasn’t.

God knows I don’t want to keep him here in Newbury, working at Waitrose and the pub for another six months. I’m hoping that while he’s away he’ll appreciate the life he has here, and understands that it’s not easy making that life and keeping things the way they are. I suspect that epiphany is either some way off, or a pipe dream.

For now he’s living his best life travelling through Thailand on an Intrepid adventure/jolly. I wonder how he’ll deal with being truly on his own in Australia where there’s no guide or parent to help him along the way. Well, that’s not entirely true. Eddie’s going out in a couple of weeks to spend time with his Uncle, so he’ll see Will out in Perth and set him off in the right direction (West Coast). But then what he does is up to him. I guess we’ll all find out.

It does feel funny not having him at home, no slamming of doors, leaving of lids off everything, clothes on the floor, lights permanently on… When he comes home in August, the current plan is to go to Lancaster Uni. The travelling a stepping stone to him leaving to build his own life.

A week after Will left, James passed his driving test. First time (of course). So no more calls after school asking for lifts home, no more taking him to/from sports. He comes and goes as he pleases. It’s another step for James on his own road to independence.

As a parent that’s the job, right? To prepare your children to be independent. Back in the day I used to run a mile from a child, any child. Now it’s hard to imagine a life without them. I’ve spent so many years taking care of them. Anchoring my own choices to their needs. That doesn’t mean to say I’ll be sitting at home pining in the years to come! Eddie and I have our plans. We’re turning a page, and who knows what we’ll write in our next chapters.

I look to the future with a degree of aprehension, but mostly with optimism and anticipation of adventures to come.