I had a lovely long phone call to New Zealand this morning as I won't be able to phone from my sister's house (I get free calls via my ISP).
My youngest grandson, who is 13, achieved Level 9 in his English grade - the highest possible and normally only given to 16 years olds. He didn't tell his mum - he is very modest - but one of his friends told her.
I always feel so happy after talking to her and hearing all about the lives of her six children, who are all happy and successful. The three oldest, who stayed in England, meet up regularly and say they still feel very much part of the family. I am looking forward to getting big hugs from all of them at the second son's wedding in August, in Kent. His fiancee sends me photos and news of my two great-grand-daughters, so she is like another grandchild to me. It is just a shame that my other daughter won't let her children go to their cousin's wedding, although they have always been on very good terms and used to go out clubbing together when they were in their teens.