Christmas 2004 News Letter

Christmas 2004
Hi

I'm doing my usual- leaving it to the last minute writing my letter. December crept up on me again! You would think that I would realise by now that December follows November, yet every year it takes me by surprise!

This time last year David changed jobs. For a year now he has been working in a NHS clinic near the city centre. Things were not working out in the practice he was in and David applied for this job and got it. He is happy there working in a team which is sociable- something that private practice does not always offer. He has no accounting to do which leaves his evenings free and he is happy there. I am still in the same job which has me travelling about a bit at various times through the year. This year I even went to Moscow to audit a lab there. Now that was an interesting trip and, unusually, I even had some time for sightseeing and took the opportunity to go to Red Square, the Kremlin etc as well as being wined & dined in the most exquisite restaurant with a glass floor and under-floor aquarium. If only all business trips were like that! I was promoted in the Spring which was nice but the job is a bit too full time for my liking! Meantime I'm sticking at it.

This time last year I was on my way for a two week business trip to Atlanta US. I was fortunate enough to have the weekend off and our very dear friends Jack and Dorothy Lamb from our days in Newfoundland drove from their home in Tennessee (4 hours away by car) to collect me and take me to their beautiful home for the weekend. Their daughter Allison who was just a tiny baby last time we saw her was also there and they made me so welcome. I am sure that I ate the whole time I was there and Dorothy treated me to wonderful Southern food. The business part of my trip was a bit daunting but I survived it and it was a real bonus being able to catch up with 'old' friends.

February saw my Dad celebrate his 80th birthday. My father has ski bobbed for many years no and his dream was to ski on his 80th birthday. My Dad being my Dad, he needed a 'project' to plan and he decided to ask his many friends if they would like to sponsor him for this skiing so that instead of birthday gifts he could donate what he raised to his three chosen charities. He was hoping to raise something ~ £1,000 in all. The final sum was over £10,000!!! As we could not all be there as a family, David went out to represent us (whilst of course having a week's skiing holiday!). It was a wonderful week as Mum & Dad were joined by many of the young soldiers (most of whom have lost limbs whilst in the army) who Dad has taught to ski bob as part of their rehabilitation. It was the best present he could have wished for and he was so thrilled and overwhelmed by everyone's kind donations.

At Easter this year we changed from our usual skiing venue. Mum & Dad had long wished to take us to the place in Austria where they have so often skied with the soldiers I mentioned. So, this year we all went to Solden. We stayed in the same hotel where they usually stay and were welcomed like family. It is a small hotel and very friendly. It was nice for all 10 of us to be together and the four grandsons enjoyed being together as did the older generations. Mum ski bobbed this year after a 2-year semi retirement following a very bad fracture to her ankle whilst skiing in 2001. We really admired her, as she too was 80 in June. I cannot see me skiing if & when I reach 80!
The summer found us in France once again but in a different area. The boys were very happy with the location especially Richard who seemed to have a constant stream of girls following him or casually 'passing by' just in case he was sitting with us! We had a very relaxing holiday, which was just what we needed.

Richard sat his first set of National school exams this summer and did very well. Now he is in his second last year at school and has big exams in May. I am sure that I am more anxious than he is. Richard is now very serious about his rock climbing and competes in many competitions. He did very well in the first series which was for our region of Scotland and came in first place. Now he is climbing at competitions all over the UK so the ability level is even higher. He is relentless in his training and in his diet, only eating sweet things on competition days and only then as an energy boost! At the end of our holiday in August we took him to one of the climbing 'Meccas' in France- the Fontainebleau forest just south of Paris. He is very competent and extremely safety conscious but I found it easier to watch him via the screen on the video camera. It was too real & nerve wracking to watch him with the naked eye!

The October break found us all in Barcelona. I had long wanted to visit and we finally made it. What a wonderful city. We spent five days there and were not quite sure how the boys would find a city break with no other company of their own age. We had a wonderful time! We walked from morning till late at night and there was not a single complaint. The boys loved it, as did we. The city has such a buzz about it and the architecture………….. well what can one say. It's just stunning if not a little crazy. I have to say, for my part, the shops were pretty fantastic too and there was truly something for everyone. (The groan of …. "not another shoe shop" was heard more than once but sometimes it was Richard and not me who was leading us into the shoe shop!)

Jonathan has just returned from a big school trip. In the last year of Primary school, they visit London for a week. He had a busy and exhausting week visiting all the sights and even a show in the West End. He had a ball. He celebrated his 11th birthday last month and I find it hard to believe that Richard will turn 16 at the end of this month. This month my parents celebrate their Diamond wedding anniversary (60 years!!) and the whole family will be together for that. It will be nice to be together. It seems no time since their 50th anniversary. First though, my school friend Joyce and I are going to visit our school friend Adrienne who now lives in Germany. We are having a 'girlie weekend' and it will be so nice to see each other. The Christmas markets will be open so we will have fun wandering around the stalls and generally having a great time together.

I hope this find you well and that you have a wonderful time over the holidays and a healthy and happy 2005

With our love to you all,