Wednesday 21 September 2011

The Traveller Has Returned!

It all seems a very long time ago.

Actually it's two months since No.1 Son left on his travels to India, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bali.  And two weeks since he returned - safe and sound!  Some of you may remember my extra worries about his well-being following a mis-adventure while celebrating his exam results.  His injuries did impact his journey - long coach and train journeys were even more uncomfortable than they might have been and trekking had to be contained in days trips.  I was less than happy to hear about motor cycle "taxis" being used, especially as No.1 Son's dreadlocks didn't fit well into the supplied riding helmet!!  But he has survived, with dozens of great tales to tell, hundreds of photos, several new culinary skills and a desire to do it all again!

I sent him off with a home-made travel themed smash book, but I honestly expected it to have more of an impact on his girlfriend; No.1 Son has never managed to keep a travel journal before.  Imagine my delight to find that it was nearly full of his jottings and drawings and small trinkets.  Apparently he would have filled it completely but for their total exhaustion during their seventh and final week - they simply sat reading books in the shade by the beach every day!!  It has taken a bit of a battering and got "slightly" wet at least once, but it is bursting with details of places, names of new friends, dates of excursions, prices and exchange rates, warnings of scams, journey times and recipes, ...

Before      &      After
No.1 Son is no longer on daily pain medication, which is good, but the corset has stretched beyond usefulness in the tropical heat, which is bad.  He's back to university at the weekend and hopefully a full check-up at the hospital very shortly after that.  Phew ... I just can't stop worrying can I?

16 comments:

Maria Ontiveros said...

That is sooo cool. In fact, it's priceless.
Rinda

Mary B said...

That is great (the book I mean) and as a mother you never stop worrying ever my mother used to still worry over me until our rolls were reverse in her old old age.

alexa said...

Naturally you will worry a bit - but hey, you've started No 1 on a really important thing about documenting his life and experience!

Ali said...

Awesome, you've brought him up well, he obviously 'gets it'. You and he will have so much fun reliving his journey. Probably more so for you, as you got him back safely.

Cate Brickell said...

how fantastic that No 1 son filled the book himself! you may turn him into a scrapper, yet, and if not, he'll remember the book for the next journey, and do it all over again!

Kirsteen said...

Oh wow, that's just priceless! What a wonderful keepsake. Glad you can stop worrying (as much) now :) xx

scrappysue said...

Totally understand the worrying; I even worry when DH (rarely) goes out by himself, LOL! Glad to hear your son is back safe and sound and enjoyed the travels; what a great idea to make a Smash book to take along; even better that it got filled in!

Thanks so much for Anniversary wishes, and I totally agree with you about OTT weddings! x

Meridy said...

I'm glad to hear your son is doing better and able to return to school. I think it's AWESOME that your other son used his journal! I WISH I had used a journal like that on vacations I took years ago (before I scrapbooked).

Sian said...

Wow, he is a chip off the old block, eh? Now that he has filled it in, I hope he keeps it save somewhere for posterity.

It's good to hear that he is back safe and sound and still in one piece

Rebecca at How I Burb said...

So cool to have a keepsake like that!

WendyB said...

I am very impressed that he captured all of that stuff, what a wonderful reminder it will be.

CoventryAnn said...

How fantastic he filled in the book :)

Alison said...

Well done him for using your book...and worrying is par for the course, unfortunately!
Alison xx

lisa said...

Thank you so much for your kind comment : )
Love your book.What a great idea. I shall have to remember this for when mine are older. Although I might just put that thought to the back of my head for a few more years. The thought of them going off like that terrifies me right now : )
xxx

MiliPea Designs said...

What a true treasure for you to have now and him later in his life (and hopefully one day his children)! Hope he recovers fully soon!

Missus Wookie said...

How nice that they distressed it for you so carefully. :) Precious, used and obviously appreciated.

Glad he's home and hopefully will get a new corset now he's back at uni.