Cyclamen

It is Gavin's birthday today but as has been the case for the past few years he is away for work and so cannot celebrate with us at home. In fact he is usually crossing time zones so we always joke that he never ages as he misses his birthday every year. He arrived in Singapore and the hotel staff knew it was his birthday from his passport details so when he got to his room he was pleased to find balloons waiting for him in his room - what a thoughtful gesture!

Thomas enjoyed his first 16th birthday party last night. He got home at the agreed time and was not drunk, which is not the case with many other teenagers at the party. I think those reading this from the USA or Australia will be horrified as there teenagers are not allowed alcohol until they are 21 or 18 years old respectively. In the UK teenagers are allowed beer or wine with a meal from the age of 16, and all alcohol from the age of 18. I think it works as they discover their drinking limits when they are still at home under the watchful eye and care of their parents, and by the time they go away to university at 18 they know their drinking limits and usually cope with the freedom of university and the freedom of unlimited alcohol! But maybe not....

I was pleased to see these autumn cyclamens when I took Murdoch for a walk today - they are like little pink butterflies and very pretty.