Good luck Europe! No there is no big sporting competition on you’ve not heard about, nor am I commenting on Brexit or ISIS. What I am referring to is the fact that today two of my children left home, backpacks loaded, for a week travelling Europe together.
To say their travel plans are ambitious would not be over stating it. I cannot exactly tell you where they are heading, or how long they will be in each place, suffice to say they are staying a night here and there and will be traveling to as many different countries/cities as 
they possibly can in that short space of time.
It’s not my idea of relaxing, or holiday but as they packed last night and this morning, they were full of the joys of Summer. It made me smile as a mother, and for a moment feel like, mission accomplished.
For as a parent of more than one child my greatest wish, apart from health and happiness, was for my children to get on together. I have always hoped they would be there for one another in adulthood, both as siblings and friends. However it’s not something we can be sure of. They have differing personalities and genders. Memories of growing up may pull them together or push them apart. Time and distance may change them.
So you can imagine my happiness over the past couple of days as I’ve watched them chat, plan, argue and laugh as they readied themselves for their first trip alone together. Not only are they going to spend the next week in very close proximity to each other, they will also be meeting their brother for a few days. Who knows how it’s all going to pan out, but hopefully the memories they make will create bonds that life, distance nor time can ever break.
Yes that’s my long term lofty goal. In the short term my hope is a lot less ambitious. It’s very simple,
‘Please don’t let them kill each other.’
photo credit: Shanghai, China via photopin (license)
My thoughts on a page. 
it is an amazing thing to watch isn’t it? and i understand your short term goal as well ! )
Yes, I’ve seen them do small things like sit for ages chatting on a bed together or go shopping or away for a drive together, but yes this is amazing to see. And yes fingers crossed.
Hope you are continuing to have a wonderful time?
it is wonderful here and i have one more day before i leave tomorrow –
I went inter-railing through Europe for a month many years ago. It was the best thing I ever did!
Yes I never did it but always wanted to. Here’s hoping they can manage a week.
Did you go with a few others? It’s something that seems to be coming back in fashion with students again.
Yes with 3 other girls. It wasy first time abroad and I only knew one of them. Terrifying for an introvert like myself but I am so glad I did it. I dell in love with the continent and if I’m honest when I travel I just want to find new cities to explore. No interest in going further afield. Your kids will love it!
Jesus. So many typos 😶
Yes they are sure they will and unlike yourself, they know each other very well. 🙂
And so did I! Got me hooked on travel
*green with envy*
I bet it’s my quiet, one easy child left house, you really envy!
They are creating memories for a lifetime. What an adventure. If all goes well, they’ll be talking and laughing about it (the good and the bad) fifty years from now. 🙂 Well done, Tric.
Yes that is exactly what I’m hoping. Even if it’s only the bad they are remembering.
Oh, don’t be silly. They will have tons of good memories too! 😀
I have always wanted to go backpacking around Europe. It sounds like an amazing way to find a new adventure and live in the moment. 🙂 Good luck to your children and to Europe ❤ ❤ ❤
Yes, they will see at least five different countries. I’m sure they’ll survive, not so sure about Europe. 🙂
All the best wishes. Come visit my blog today!
Thank you.
I’m sure your two will have a great time. The friend I went with years ago recently unearthed her diaries of our trip…hilarious reading
Oh wow. What a treat. I bet it brought back great memories.
Not half! And quite amusing to read the prose of a young person….
Hope they have a great time.
I went off hostelling in Cornwall for three weeks with my sister when I was 17 and she 22. We have great memories of it still. A huge adventure!
They are not too far off the ages you and your sister were. It’s a great experience, the good and the bad bits.
Hopefully the good will outweigh the bad.
What a wonderful site for a mother to see. And I’m a bit jealous. I wonder if I can get a sibling to spend time like that with me???
Sometimes our friends do just as good a job Colleen! But yes as a mother it was a joy to watch them leave.
Bravo! Your heart must be about to burst! Well done to them as well.
Yes I was really quite thrilled even before they left, just watching them ready themselves. Thanks Léa
Also perhaps a twinge of sadness at how fast they both grow and go… Thank you.
This is wonderful. It is so great to have your children like and appreciate each other. I never feel so good as I do when my two (now old enough to be retired) offspring do amazing things together. And travel — so very important!
Yes I can’t imagine that feeling ever changing. I hope when they are as old as your children I’ll still be smiling.