New schools and back to school. School shoes, PE kits and pencil cases – nerves and excitement. From tiny tots to the friends with children off to university (note we do not use the words ‘leaving home’, as leaving and home are not nice words together; I prefer ‘using a different bathroom for a bit’).

It makes September more like spring really, with new shoots and fresh starts.

I’ve been thinking about all of these huge steps forward and new beginnings for lots of families this week, and wish everyone the absolute VERY best of luck.

Me, I don’t go anywhere. I’m here at my desk as I always am. A wonderful manuscript has arrived and today I’m drawing the expression on somebody’s face as they experience the bubbles in fizzy lemonade for the first time.

Which is an adventure in itself.