I celebrated my 68th birthday in October with a trip with the whole family to the Dean Forest Railway, where my father's signal box found a home long after he ceased to need it. That was great fun - bringing the generations together, telling the family stories, creating memories. I think this is what grandparents are for!
Ray keeps the Chapions League afloat by traversing Europe with high quality recordings of the games. He's been to everywhere beginning with 'Li' recently; Lisbon, Lithuania, Lichtenstein ... (I may be making Lichtenstein up, I shall have to ask him. ) I accompanied him to Cyprus once, but spent the whole weekend throwing up in a hotel room, and have not been tempted to go since. Oporto in Portugal is lined up in March, Brussels and Amsterdam, Vilnius and Vienna already ticked off.
He was stopped by a zealous border guard on one occasion, who suspected he might be couriering something more contraband than a football match ...
We had a wonderful break (August) in North American, riding the Rocky Mountaineer with Darlene and Steve. Drank gin, took photos of lakes and forests (sadly wreathed in smoke) and actually got to touch the bob sleigh that was used in the film, "Cool Runnings", near Calgary. Interesting side-bar:I hear Calgary is 'in the running' for the next Winter Olympics. Lovely town.
The grandchildren are growing up, and doing splendidly. they range on age from 11 years to 8 months, and I'm happy to announce, a seventh is due early next year.
From top left (clockwise) Ray and I, Frank, Alfie, Finley, Abigail , Rosie and Sam.
Among my accomplishments this year has been being elected to chair both the local branch of the Labour Party, AND the Parish Council. There! That says everything you need to know about my passions.
Our thanks to all of you who remembered us this Christmas. You WILL receive a reply, but I hear there's a five-day backlog at the local sorting office, and we missed today's post!
Ive stolen my my friend Jean's Christmas Card for this post. Guess which camp she's in!
And finally, especially for Caroline and Kelvin: A plaque that has been on my wall in several homes since 1988:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, to you all, wherever you are!
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ReplyDeleteWow! Two comments! I have a stalker! :)
DeletePoor Jess. What a sad, sad, person.
ReplyDeleteMaybe when neoliberal capitalism finally shafts YOU, you'll come to your senses. Until then, my sincere sympathy. I pray that whatever has made you so bitter, twisted and angry. Goes away soon.