Hi Libby, Thanks for email. Before I forget, I meant to say, don't rely to much on the scottish naming conventions. There are as many examples of those that follow the convention as those that don't. It tends to be a family thing (forgive the pun). A family tends to follow the convention or totally ignore it. Post has just arrived and guess who there is a letter and card from for which many thanks. Like the stamps that they have in Samoa. Yes I think I have been busier than when I was in work. I still miss the company but not the Company. Really think I must get out more. Not saying that I'm going stir crazy but would be nice on occasions to have a bit more social contact. I'm sure things will pick up in September when U3A starts up again. Understand about Christmas. Would have been nice to meet up. Perhaps another time. It's supposed to be summer here but if you have seen / heard any UK news you will have heard about the floods. We had our summer in April. Forecast for the rest of summer is not any better. Just to think that this time last year, we were in a drought. It was so hot and muggy that it was really uncomfortable and I was thinking about just jumping in the car and driving north. Neil and Bridget on holiday from Sydney just don't understand all the rain. You certainly are keeping busy with all the visitors. It is hard to believe that your children grow up and are no longer babies. Just wait until you are told that you are to become a grand parent. Believe you me, thats when you understand that they are no longer 'babies'. Have to say that it's made me stop and think. Must be getting old. Hope that the grandchild likes Mull. Pleased to hear that Callum's job is going well. Again you cannot help being concerned about the situation in London but Callum is right, Londoners do just take it in their stride and carry on as usual. Any idea which Uni Harry wishes to attend ? Might be useful if it were near a good transport link with Oz. I'm not surprised to hear that you are having a problem coming to terms with your mothers passing especially in the circumstance that you outlined. I was not aware of this until now. You cannot expect to come to terms with the passing that quickly. For what it's worth, I was told that it is dangerous to grieve to quickly as it will only come back sometime later. It's still very early days. Just take things on a day by day basis and remember the good times. Eventually things will become far less raw. First anniversaries are the worst but once a year has come and gone (which will not take long) you will find things a great deal easier. Have you tried Meg Douglas on Mull? Lorna Maclean from the Tobermory Museum also does research. Take care, Ian