Safe

14 months 5 days

....is how I always feel when I am here, by the sea. Not an unrealistic expectation that there is no bad in life, but that no matter what, there are good things, stronger things, to balance them. I was thrilled that today Katie also very much enjoyed our Boxing Day promenade along the North Bay sands. She waved and smiled at the people, dogs, children from her throne/sledge. We stopped for a coffee and toast - which wasn't as naff as it sounds at all, it was absolutely beautiful. Huge slices of homebaked bread with lashings of butter and jam, in a nice cafe with seaview.

We then walked past the Open Air theatre, through snow covered gardens, up to the North Cliff Golf Club. Katie walked all the way from there down to the bottom where Grandad's car was. She was very adorable - she was holding my hand, but realised that as she carried him, Monkey's legs were dragging along the floor. She let go of me to pick him up and carry him with two hands. She so wanted to take my hand back and kept reaching, but Monkey drooped to the floor each time, and she was desperate to make sure she had him properly,bless her!

She's fast asleep now, after some lunch and a big play. Today's hit is the dolls buggy, she has been putting both Monkey and Annabelle in and wandering round the lounge with it. Only twice has she tried to ram-raid the babygate in a bid to escape.

I hope all of you, people I feel very blessed to call friends now, have enjoyed some wonderful times this season and will have memories to treasure of this year. xxx