There's no way back again

Okay, I'm a bad blogger, I've been away and I didn't tell you all. At the very least I should have left some sort of forwarding number that you could call if you're in emergency need of random drivel, but like I said - I'm a bad blogger.

In my defence the last bit of absence was unplanned as I was struck down with some kind of nasty plague that most lesser mortals would probably work into a spiffing book featuring deep thoughts on mortality and the triumph of modern medicine over colds.

But previous to that I had a week off during which time I helped my sister and her fledgling family move house. This includes my sister, my incredible 11-month-old niece who has somehow made me tolerant to babies, well at least her, and my sister's partner (this makes it sound like they're in a legal firm together but I'm still waiting for this whole area of nomenclature to let go of the Victorian era).

Moving they say is one of the most stressful things you can do, but this move is in all a good thing. Previously the gang (as I'm sure they would like to be known) had been living with my parents, so this buys a valuable amount of independence, showing they can go it alone.

Of course by moving they may be costing themselves a little more, but if you look at it the benefits are obvious:

• They are both nearer their work, so if anything suddenly happens there they can be there quickly to find out what's going on.
• It is a lot easier for them to keep in touch with friends in the area, who can just drop in and see them for chats about what's going on.
• They can set up a base in a community where my niece can grow up and people will recognise them as part of that community, as they will see them there every day.
• They won't constantly be interfered with by demanding elders, who may mean well but have clearly lost the plot and can make life a whole lot more difficult.
• They will be a lot better off than families who may be doing the same job but having to live a lot further away, and they will be able to do their jobs a lot better as a result.

So all in all, you would have to be some kind of money-grabbing lunatic with the long-term vision of an amnesiac blowfly to think that my sister and her brood not living in their new home was a good idea.

Sorry to be do self-indulgent, chatting on about my family like this, but everyone knows if you treat family well they will be happy with you in return. I suppose I should try to give you a little newsroom insight to keep this blog on the theme which it is supposed to prescribe, but having been away so much recently I fear I don't have much to say.

There is one thing I guess you should know - if you want to write to me, or any of the other Harrow Observer team, please note the address is now:

Harrow Observer
Gazette House
28 Bakers Road
Uxbridge
UB8 1RG

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