Off to Krakow

As I have mentioned on a number of occasions I don’t really do pride as a concept, due to my upbringing in 1970s Britain! However, I can do satisfaction and today my trip to Poland can be seen as a reasonable cause for satisfaction.

I am on a three night break in Kraków from today. In fact, I’m typing this on the plane! Did I ever mention how much I hate flying? Almost certainly, but today I will give it a pass because I am here with three children ranging in age from 25 to 31. The fact that they still want to go on holiday with me is surely a cause for quiet satisfaction if not pride.

By the time I was 15 family holidays were over. My parents didn’t want to be saddled with me when they were enjoying themselves so I was left to my own devices. Don’t get me wrong, I never regretted that because my family holidays were never particularly enjoyable for anyone. However, I grew up assuming that our children would be the same. I was clearly wrong! Now, I am not going to pretend that we are always compatible travelling companions but they obviously still enjoy my company which both surprises me and makes me think I must be doing something right. In the absence of pride in myself I will allow myself a definite feeling of satisfaction in the thought that as parents we must have done a reasonable job. It is true that all three of our children accompanying me today come to us for Christmas every year, but to some extent I put that down to habit and my excellent cooking! The city break is different as it’s a deliberate decision to spend time together and it’s a really nice feeling.