The big news is my parents have decided to buy a caravan near Ayrshire which is on the west coast of Scotland. The caravan park is situated in a Haven Holiday resort which specialises in holidays for families and my mum deliberately chose it so the kids would be safe. They’ve had holidays there before and enjoyed them. The good news for me is there are loads of castles and historical sites nearby that I’ve never visited before which is so much more interesting than the beach. It’s also near Arran and Mull which is exciting because I haven’t visited those either. It’s close enough for them to spend every weekend there if they chose but I certainly won’t be doing that - no internet.

We waved goodbye to another member of staff today who has transferred to another court after being with us for two years. She’s had such a hard time on a personal level after losing her husband and both parents within months of each other. It seemed so unfair but I think we were all amazed at how well she managed to cope with everything afterwards. She’s only a little thing but she is so strong; I’m not sure I could’ve coped half as well. It really puts a lot of things into perspective when you see someone going through a situation like that and it makes you take a long, hard look at your own priorities.

My own family has taken quite a beating over the past few months and it looks like I’m going to have to watch my favourite uncle slowly lose himself as his memory deteriorates further. Life can be so cruel to those who deserve so much more. I’m learning to be grateful for the things I do have and to accept that some things may be forever out of reach. It doesn’t mean I’ve given up trying though - where would the fun be in that? I’m just more realistic about it all.

Oh, and I love my Nintendo almost as much as my iPod….