Where it all began

We've been in Southampton this weekend and this morning we had a wander around what was our old college.

The college closed down years ago and most of it was knocked down and redeveloped into housing, but the skeleton remains and the memories are all there.

We met 25 years ago in May 1993. "The Pensh" (Pensioners) was a pub we all drank in. It has been done up and had a name change. We popped inside for a look and again... you could feel it's past.

I surprised myself. The places all look the same but they are different. I wasn't expecting to feel that way about myself as I wandered. I am so different to how I was then.

My life is nothing like how I thought it would be, yet I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm a parent carer. And unpaid carer who spends the day advocating for and caring for my sons who have learning disabilities and that world can become all consuming. It's great to get away and have a break. It gives you clarity and recharging the batteries makes the battles seem easier and more worthwhile.

I'm looking forward to getting back home to my boys and to starting the summer holiday.