1,000 days

It's a thousand days since my sister left us (and almost as long since I've updated this blog). I didn't realise it was, but Mum has this date and time app and every so often, it pops up and tells us it's been so many weeks or so many days and she doesn't like to delete it now. So it keeps popping up.

I was trying to figure out how old I'd be when it reaches 10,000 days ... 100,000 days ... dead probably. It seems an awfully long time away and yet it's strange, because it doesn't seem two minutes since Alice was here. But time is just that and nothing more; it doesn't blur the memories I have. As a ten-year-old, I can recall my disbelief at not being old enough to join Mum on a girls spa day. In the background, desperate to rescue the situation, Alice was busy creating our own spa escape, offering nails, Lush baths and massage, complete with snacks and drinks. We finished the night off snuggled together watching a movie. In all honesty, I probably had more fun than I'd have had at the real spa. Those are the kind of memories that feel as if they happened yesterday (minus the Princess strop) and those are the things I miss.

Alice's spa sign

In my last blog post, I was just into my GCSE exams. With the exception of a couple, they weren't as bad as they could have been and I was happy with my results. I had been accepted onto a Film Production course (screen writing is something I'm really interested in) but my results also gained me a place at Lancaster Girls Grammar Sixth Form, which left me with a dilemma. Ultimately, I decided that A levels were the best route for me and I'm now studying English Language, English Literature, Art and Geography - all subjects I love! In art, we're studying Juxtaposition and I've chosen to do War and Peace which I'm enjoying developing. Lancaster is a beautiful city, the school is full of opportunities and I think I made the right choice.

One of my art pieces

Through the summer, we returned back to Cornwall with my friend, Callum, and the Mums even attempted to learn to surf (which was semi successful)! We enjoyed camping back at Wooda with fantastic weather and many memorable days on the beach with the fantastic team at Big Blue Surf School. I also travelled to Italy and visited Rome, Pisa and, most importantly, Pompeii, where we scattered some of Alice's ashes according to her wishes.

Me and Callum in Cornwall

I also experienced my first solo festival, Kendal Calling, which was a fantastic experience, saddened by the death of a fellow festival goer on the first evening. I didn't know the person concerned, but it certainly affected people. Life is so fragile.

I'm continuing with my volunteering. Alice's charity has been really busy through the summer and we've met some amazing families. Mabel is often down at the charity office and the children love her - Lottie is kept hidden as she is full of Tigger-like bounciness!  Starting at LGGS gave me an opportunity to continue volunteering at Oxfam as part of my Enrichment Program. It's really good to be able to continue to volunteer locally as these places couldn't operate without volunteers.

Yay, no uniform!

I've just turned seventeen and for my birthday, my Nan and Grandad bought me ten driving lessons! I had my first one on my birthday and it's going well, if a little scary. Thankfully, I've improved since lesson three when I almost drove into a wall - dual control has its benefit!

Only two weeks from now, I'll actually be in PERU trekking for Alice! I can't believe it's come around so quickly. I'm taking my GoPro with me and hope to edit a video of my trip. This will be my first big trip without Mum being a part of it which will be strange, although she was lucky enough to do the same trek a few years back as part of a fundraising team for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Anyway, sponsor link for my trek in aid of Alice's Escapes is HERE and if you keep an eye on Alice's Facebook page, I'll be making some Alice things to raise funds too.

I'll hopefully update when I get back ... will leave you with the last training video I edited.

Milly x