Some say that it is possible to be too old to hug your parents – I just found out how very wrong they are. My parents just visited. They couldn’t stay long because they needed to get back to my grandmother, but as soon as he saw me my dad gave me a good, warm, fatherly hug. The type of hug which makes you feel five again; the type of hug which reminds you of being tucked up in bed listening to a thousand bedtime stories; the type of hug which made the world feel all right again.

My parents also brought stuff with them – my stuff. I now have many of my most prised possessions: the pictures Charlie gave me;* my Hitchcock, Lord of the rings and James bond DVD box sets; my Hemingway books and so on. I’m now very happy. the only problem is, where do we put everything?

Anyway, my parents didn’t stay too long, but they promised they’d be back in a few weeks. As I keep saying, I love life with Lyn, but I’m still close to my parents, and it feels wonderful to know that they are there for me.

*speaking of whom, I’d like to wish her a very happy birthday.