As a yank with the burdens of non-monarchical democracy and all that hanging on my narrow shoulders, I feel obligated to say something sarky about horses and noses and princes and princes-new-wiveses and things. But heck, he's not MY heir to the throne, so from over the pond, happy birthday Your Highness, and many happy returns.

Hello Megan.

I live quite close to the Tower of London so I'm pushing my luck. But he doesn't invite me round no matter how many times I've bought his biscuits and sausages.

A Prince who makes biccies and sossies. How very modern.

I'm sure he's having a very royal and very happy birthday and lots of VIP people are likely entertaining him at great expense to his loyal subjects.

Not me though.

Actually I think he makes enough from the biccy/sossy empire to pay for his own parties. These things are very strictly controlled, y'know. If he steps out of line we've always got the option of decapitation - as of his namesake.

Somehow I can never distance Prince Charles from tampon stories and having someone squeeze his toothpaste because he can't do it himself.

May Queen E live to a hundred and fifteen.

Hello Elle, and welcome.

Toothpaste, and now boiled eggs. Ulp.

My one close up experience of royalty convinced me that they have NO idea what ordinary life is like. They can't, because they never see it, even on their days 'off'.

His Rosemary chipolatas are yummy. Many years ago he opened the school I went to, by planting a tree. Yes Happy Birthday to Prince Charles.

does his horse want a kingdom? what would his horse do with the kingdom?
And now I have the theme song from Mr. Ed running relentlessly through my brain...argh!

Hello Heather and welcome.

Never had the chipolatas - will try. A friend of mine once invited PC to her birthday party, aged about thirteen. He didn't come.

Laurel: think Richard the Third. He didn't specify what his horse would do with the kingdom either.

P.S. C's horse is called Camilla.

if he gets his kingdom, it'll be in spite of his horse - her being tainted with catholicism ... albeit at one remove.

Good lord. Either prince Charles has issued a last minute birthday bash invite and Robin is even now kicking up his heels with his royalness and associated equines, or the spot of familial homicide started by Jonny has taken on epidemic proportions. In either case, maybe this is a good time to be on the safe side of the Atlantic.

Spooky timing there Megan.

There is now a post above.

We are now both safe.

You had a reason to write your blog which puts me to shame.

Very best wishes.

Robin -

totally respect your decision to stop when you felt the time was right. I do have to speak about the 'purpose to blog' thing though. Seems to me that blogging, as an activity, is essentially a community activity. The blogs I've explored and read have been written by people who, through their particular angle (sex blogger, ex-pat blogger, whatever) speak to a group of people who can find a reflection of themselves in the words. My blog is, unfortunately, the opposite. I have not exactly found a community of 'lost a spouse/Long Term Life Partner in Iraq' people who resonate to what I write. So I don't think it's a reasonable comparison. Further, I would disagree utterly that my reason for blogging puts you or anyone else to shame.

Fact is, you got people to come to a communal place, to read the same thing, to make a small group that had something in common. And that, in this particular age, is a wonderful thing.

Best to you - to the kids, to the new kitten, to the whole family. Sorry you're stopping, but glad you shared while you did.

robin, you will be dearly missed from the 'blogosphere'. i have enjoyed your posts and do hope that you return.

good luck for the future and thanks for all the laughs.

xxx

Have a pleasant three months. I'll be reading your archives. Oh, and for what it's worth, I actually think the world does need your opinions. At least you have some.

Hi Robin
Well, now I'm convinced... if YOU don't think you have anything to say, I know I don't! I enjoy your blog very much - my kids are a bit older than yours, and we lost our beloved 19 year old cat during the summer, but, as Megan says, I saw a reflection of myself in your writing.
I also enjoyed discovering, through the recent photos of Lizzie, that other people have Polyfillered (sp?) holes in their skirting boards!
Very best wishes to you and yours, and hopefully we'll still see you popping up in various comments boxes here and there!

Been away and catching up with mail/web backlog slowly. A little saddened to see your latest post, as my blogroll is short enough as it is. Hope you will reconsider in three months' time. Realise I am subconsciously aping the style of your final post in this comment. Am not particularly distraught about missing out on your "opinions" but do love coming here for your writing style and general worldview. Was lovely to catch up with you again the other weekend. Will stop now.

oh dear - and i only just found you. was it something i said?
come back soon
x

Hello all.

Thanks for kind messages.

I'm hoping to be back but I don't want to tempt fate or predict circumstances beyond my control.

Nothing you said Madmuthas. Try the archives. Some familiar stuff in there for you, and as current now as it was then.

Robin:
If I was a cool blogger, I'd say..
"Yo Robin! Nuff Respect. Laters, Man!"

As it's me, I enjoy reading your blog.
As an optimist, I hope you return to let me read more later.
Cheers.

Hello Luke.

Thank you for that. I hope to be back from exile one day soon.

Sorry to read this, but as I say to all people in this situation, there is no point in pursuing a hobby you no longer enjoy.

If it enhances real life, it's a good thing, but if it gets in the way of RL, it's bad.

I shall miss you, but that's no reason to disobey your instinct

Always the last to know...

Saddened to read that you're calling it a day - your blog is / has been an absolute delight to read (regardless of whether one can identify with what you're writing about).

Of course you should do what feels right to you at the present moment, but I think it's worth saying that your blog (and your opinions) will be sorely missed if you do decide to knock it on the head permanently.

But just to clarify re: that last sentence above - much as I'll miss Speaking As A Parent, Gert is spot on.

So long (for now). Don't be a stranger...

Gert/Ben/Mike: many thanks. I'm hopeful.

To paraphrase Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life" - "Remember, Robin: no man is a blogger on hiatus, as long as he has loads of comments still coming in."

Pete: that is a lovely thought.

Isn't it just?

Oh dear. I pop away for a fortnight and all hell breaks out. When the blog stops, the person tends to also. So I'm gonna be selfish and say don't. I'm even gonna scream like a bitch ho and say "come back!"

Love you, man.

Oh dear.

Hello Peter.

Thks for support, now and over the years. I am touched by your concern, but do I detect that you fear for my life? It is most assuredly not in danger. I will do my best to sort out a life that includes both blogging and earning a living.

If you want a hit song or two to tide you over til the new year, I'm brill at words. Not bad with tunes either.

Hi nice site!

We sell stupid maps!

We don't really read any of your blogs!

We aren't all that imaginative either. But there again that goes with drawing maps, doesn't it?

Watch it there, Questy, or I'll set Peter on ya.

Hi nice site!

We at google earth are complete tossers! Oh yes! Our maps clearly distinguish our arse from our elbow! Otherwise we wouldn't know where they were!

Google loves bloggers! Now we intend to make some cash back from you! Oh yes!

Robin, that was one of the most graceful, elegant exit posts I've read. I also think you should follow your instincts and if you're not enjoying it then it is time to stop.

The little man on my shoulder is whispering that I should suggest podcasting to you but I'm ignoring him... :-)