She is forty today, standing in the kitchen of her house, on her own.  “Happy birthday me” she says quietly to herself while making the first cup of coffee of the day.  She moves through to the living room, a mess as usual, and sits down on her sofa.  What will she do today?  Nothing, just like every Saturday she will sit on her sofa, laptop on knee and dream of distant lands and places she should have gone before now.

Ok so Multi-Map where will I go today?  Let’s search USA.  Ok which state?  California sounds good.   New search leads to California information, known as a Golden state, famous for its glorious beaches and sunshine, she is mesmerised sitting looking at the pictures on screen.  If she were there where would Lucy go?  Yosemite National Park, with visions of wildlife, outdoors, waterfalls, breathtaking views, she is there, she closes her eyes and away she goes.

Smelling the fresh air is wonderful, all alone walking through the towering forests, it seems to be getting darker, she starts to feel uneasy, lost, scared, running out of the forest.  Looking over there, the waterfalls so full of energy, walking closer she can feel the energy, closer still and now a little spray on her cheek.  A man, looking slightly confused, approaches her.  “Have we met before?” she says to this tall stranger, his response is “yes you come here a lot, my name is Ralf, what’s yours?”  Lucy, laughs, and replies “I wish I could stay here forever” relaxed and calm she opens her eyes.

The door opens and in run two bouncing little boys.  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!!” they shout with excitement and joy.  She cuddles them, holding them close like the very first time.  Looking up at the door, there he is the tall stranger, “Happy birthday Lucy!  The boys did really well at football this morning – you really should come along one Saturday!”