I cannot thank you enough for all the kind, supportive & inspiring messages about your travels. This how our funny, bright, brave boy celebrated his 16th Birthday today 🎉

Ps I was travelling on buses on my own at the age of 9, tube in London at 11, and mainline trains at 13, and I'm profoundly deaf from birth. My lovely mother encouraged me to be independent and I've been grateful to her for the rest of my life! Well done to you too, Kirstie!

When I was 14 my parents trusted me to get from Cadaques (Spain) to Perpignan by train, catch a flight to Paris. Then a flight to Heathrow. Then a flight to Glasgow. All on my own. Long before mobile phones. No problem. It was a great experience.

Hi Kirstie - I’m currently going through cancer treatment - it’s tough. Bringing the norm of family just hits home how precious life is xx I love reading about u and ur family. U must be one proud mummy. Keep doing what you do best and just be you xxx👍👍👍👍

Good Luck with that, my Mum had 25 years with various treatments and travel became more and more important to her during this time. 😘

Well done. My mum aged 14 a fully fledged hairdresser working full time in her dad’s salon. I too worked full time age 16 Now we don’t allow our kids enough independence. If the gov are thinking of giving 16year olds the vote we need to learn to allow them to grow up earlier. 👏

And this is how my 7 year old granddaughter celebrated her birthday. Raising the wild & adventurers girls. Also does kick boxing & karate. Preparing her for a very different world than I grew up in. Well done to your son.

You are one brave mum allowing him to go on such an adventure. I was worried when mine went to Newquay at 16 and we lived in South Devon!

Can I ask this really respectfully, are you serious or just joking?

Honestly Kirstie - that’s SO irresponsible 😂

Loved the inter railing story. Travelling through Europe west and east (behind the iron curtain) taught me so much 40 years ago. However, I’d rather have my toenails pulled out than do a bungee jump! Happy birthday to your son.