Christmas 2005 News Letter

Christmas 2005
Hi

It's that time of year again and I am in denial that another year has passed. They say it's a sign of getting old that time passes even faster as you get older but I sure that's not true as everyone I work with (and that's all ages from 26 - 50) says that this year has flown.

Last year in December I met up with a couple of my good friends from school and we had a weekend away together. We all see each other fairly regularly but it was so nice to get together and chill out that we decided to do it again this year. This weekend we all meet up in Amsterdam. It is likely to be cold but we don't mind that and are looking forward to relaxing, doing a couple of museums and just 'catching up' with each other. Also in December my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They are really rather remarkable and still very active and young at heart. The whole family was together to celebrate.

We have as always had a busy year. Richard had his National exams last year and worked very hard throughout the year. They had the 'mock' exams in February in which he did very well. In May were the National exams. The results came out in August and he achieved Band 1 'A's in all subjects. We were thrilled and so proud of him. He had been thinking of doing a science degree at university but through the summer decided that he would like to study Dentistry. This is not a reflection of him following in David's footsteps and nobody was more surprised than us!. He is very focussed and determined and has put a lot of effort into his University applications. He is now in his final year of school and working hard. He is taking three further exams this year. So far he has had one university interview and has an offer with conditions for this year's exam results. The other universities are yet to respond. He also has two offers for acceptance to science degrees. We will have to wait until August to see his grades and therefore where he will go. It is strange to think that this time next year he will be studying away from home.

Jonathan is now in his first year at senior school. He also studies hard and last year was in the top twenty children in his year. He is quite a serious young boy and likes to complete all his work in good time. In first year they take many subjects so he is still finding out what he likes best.

March saw us skiing in Austria with the whole family. Friends of ours from Edinburgh also joined us and we had a good time. My parents are still skiing at 81years old!! Mum decided that she would probably make this her last year skiing. Next year she plans to sunbathe at the mountain restaurant and read her book. We will all stop by at various points of the day to keep her company and drink hot chocolate and eat those wonderful cakes they always have in mountain restaurants. What could be better!!

Throughout the year we have travelled round the country as the boys compete in the National climbing championships. Both boys do well and Richard is particularly accomplished and has great style. He now has to climb in the adult category and is one of the youngest in the country so the competition is tough but he enjoys it and especially enjoys meeting the friends he has made from all over the UK. Jonathan was placed 2nd in his age category in our region and so is also showing promise. The main thing is that they get great enjoyment and sense of achievement fro this sport which although it sounds dangerous is very safety orientated and attracts very personable young people.

The summer saw us off to the South of France to an area just 10mins from the Spanish border. We had a wonderful time in the sun. Our campsite was right on the beach and it was great. We even all tried scuba diving. The weather was great and our campsite was very good with lots of young people for the boys. In October during the school break we were lucky enough to find some very cheap flights to Oslo and took the opportunity to visit our friends there. Richard did not come as he wanted to do some work experience with a local dentist. We had a very relaxing time and even had snow which pleased Jonathan.

In November it was Jonathan's 12th birthday and we took him and his friends to the long awaited new Harry Potter film. This month Richard will turn 17. I can hardly believe it. It seems no time since his 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah and we thought then he looked so grown up. Look at him now! Next year Jonathan will have his Bar Mitzvah (25 Nov). By the time I write next year's letter it will have been & gone. That's just too scary!!! Let's hope that this year passes more slowly as I have so much still to do!!

In a year where there seem to have been too many reports of disasters, bombs and attacks we consider ourselves lucky to be together and healthy. We send this letter to you with our very best wishes.

Have a wonderful time over the holiday season and a happy & healthy 2006.