Elvie's Year in Photos 2011: Day 223 Au Revoir Gaz

I was to upset too write anything yesterday. Strangely I could think quite sensibly about Gaz and Vicky going but if I tried to write or say anything I filled with tears and was rendered mute. Consequently I've spent the last two days talking about anything but their departure and been totally unable to tell them how I felt. I am really proud of them both. They are both lovely people, mature, caring & sensible. I'm quite proud of Ian & myself that both Gaz and Huw are such a credit to us..

Anyway we picked up Gaz from his flat yesterday afternoon & Huw joined us about 6.00. With just the four of us in the house again it was almost like old times apart from the pervading sadness. We had a chinese takeaway to eat in the kitchen & chatted about inconsequential stuff till bedtime. This morning Huw left at about 11.00am to return to Mel & Mia who are still at the caravan in Broadhaven. I couldn't bear to watch he & Gaz say goodbye. It actually hurts more than saying goodbye myself even though I know their lives have diverged in the last couple of years. They have been exceptionally close.

We then went to pick up Vicky, had a quick cuppa there and set off after her farewells to Mum & Dad & dog, Theenie. The trip up the motorway was uneventful and quicker than anticipated. At 4.00 we stopped at a Toby Inn for an early meal. I took a couple of photos of them outside before we left. We were early arriving at Heathrow and said our tearful goodbyes at the drop off point outside the terminal. It's strange how tears well up in an instant just when I think I'm in control. I'm not unhappy at his going. It's a great opportunity for them, something he's wanted to do for years and we'll be in touch regularly through phones, Skype Facebook etc. Ian and I are going to visit them in November so, at least initially, we won't be apart any longer than on his previous travelling trips. The sadness is because he might not come back to live near us again & even if we don't see each other much it's just nice knowing he's near.