Christmas 1998 News Letter

Dear All

It seems impossible that it is December already. I suppose we say that every year. People say that it is a sign of getting old!! Surely not.. We started off the year in Norway with some friends that were colleagues of mine (Gillian). We set off in December just before Xmas and took the ferry across to Sweden. It's an overnight crossing and it was quite an adventure. The boys enjoyed the crossing complete with a visit from Father Christmas. The following day we drove up to Oslo where our friends live. To make things even better we woke up to snow as soon as we touched Scandinavian soil. We stayed in Oslo for a few days absorbing the Norwegian way of living and did all the tourist things in Oslo. After Xmas we headed for our friends' cabin in the mountains. This consisted of a lovely cabin with three bedrooms literally in the mountains: no running water, no electricity and a toilet which was a hole in a hut outside. It was very snowy and cold but the cabin soon heated up. They keep a log fire burning 24hrs a day. The cabin is lit using candles and it was really relaxing and good fun. The boys had a ball (although they were not too keen on the toilet arrangements!). We all went cross country skiing, even Jonathan. Richard did particularly well. After two weeks we made our way back to the ferry not realising that a big storm was brewing. Our 24hr crossing took 33hr and was very memorable! The storm was so violent that it felt as though the ship would break in two. We were literally thrown about in our bunks. Not a pleasant experience.

Our ski holiday this year was at Easter in Verbier, Switzerland. A resort we have been to several times before but not recently. We had two weeks and it was lovely. We had the loveliest chalet at the end of the village. Very convenient as it was right next to the bus terminus. The boys enjoyed being with their cousins. Richard's skiing was, of course, good and this year he earned his Swiss Silver award achieving almost top marks. Jonathan also went to ski school and at first did not seem to make much progress. Then all of a sudden, everything clicked and there was no stopping him. He loved it and wanted more. It was a joy to see. Now my parents can see all four of the grandsons skiing off down the hill. We adults were hard pushed to keep pace.

The summer saw Jonathan leave nursery school and prepare to join his brother at school. He was sad to leave nursery but some of his friends were going to the same school and he was quite excited about being a 'big schoolboy' He looked so proud on his first day at school standing beside Richard in his uniform (his blazer almost drowning him because, of course, we had bought it on the big side 'to grow into'!!). For our summer holiday we went to Holland. We stayed in the North in a little seaside resort. I have cousins who live nearby and we spent some relaxing days with them and their family. We also spent a few days in Amsterdam. Somewhere I had always wanted to visit. We did loads of things. Well, as much as you can with two children: art museums, Science museum, Ann Frank's house, diamond factory, canal trips, the flower market… even the Red Light District (for educational purposes only!). I suggested to Richard that it might be best not to dwell on this bit if he had to write an essay on 'My Summer Holiday' at school.

Richard had a busy summer what with a sports camp, a week with my folks who took him off to Aviemore in the North of Scotland with his cousin from London. He also flew down to London on his own to spend a few days with my sister and her family. The he and my younger nephew flew north to Edinburgh so that we could repay the hospitality. Both boys enjoyed the experience. August saw the boys starting school. Richard is now almost 10yr and Jonathan has just turned 5yr. It was so funny to see them both going off to school together. Jonathan has settled in well and seems to be very conscientious. He is, however, permanently exhausted! He must put a lot of effort in because by Friday he is always rather pale and hollow eyed. Richard seems to be managing alright but does struggle with his powers if concentration. He took up playing the bassoon this year. Although he is not too keen on practising he does seem to have a natural talent for producing s nice sound. I don't suppose there are many children who practise without some nagging from their parents. He continues with his Judo and does enjoy that. Recently he has also joined a swimming club. He goes twice each week and they swim relentlessly for an hour.

Work wise things have been a little unsettled for me of late. Things are not too great in the industry in general and several people recently lost their jobs. That is always a bit unsettling but I think/hope that things have calmed down again. I have not travelled so much this year, just a couple of trips abroad. David's work at the surgery has been quite good this year but with the usual quiet spells. He has made a few improvements this year with things like central heating, a new computer system and other costly things….

That's about it from our end. Here's wishing you a Happy Christmas & New Year.