On our way home at Easter, we stopped overnight at the Malvern site, and took advantage of the proximity to spend an evening with Bryn and Claire at Leigh Sinton, and meet their black labby called Holly. We never managed to visit their first home at Bromyard, so it was lovely to see their new home and catch up on all the news.
Our previous post details the saga of our sagging floor, discovered on our return home after our Easter trip, so I won’t say any more about that here.
W
e went back to Wales for the third time in October, which we counted as our “main” holiday this year. We booked onto a site on the Gower and enjoyed exploring this previously unknown (to us) corner of Wales. We had lovely weather and were able to make the most of the walks, views and beaches. Lesley even paddled one day (and no, I was not gritting my teeth against the cold – it was actually very pleasant). While there we also had a day with Mum at Ridgeway and met Ian and Nina at the Mumbles for a meal out one evening. We also visited David’s cousin Richard and his wife, Kristine, who live in Sketty and had a very entertaining evening with them.
Nor has the rest of David’s family been neglected. Dad, of course, lives nearby, in Burton and we see him regularly, either at our house when he comes to share a meal, or when we drop by his bungalow in passing. Kelvin and Tanya visit every couple of months, and Dad goes to stay with them two or there times a year.
In May our greatness was re-confirmed with the arrival of Ben and Emily’s second child – our great niece, named Angharad – in Melbourne, Australia. We have become avid readers of their blog (see link right) to follow the progress of both Leo, now aged 2, and his little sister.
Meanwhile Emily’s sister, Jenny, was working on a production of her own, a learned work on her specialist subject, the artist Van Eyck. She started researching Van Eyck for her PhD and has continued while lecturing at Exeter (part of the University of Plymouth). The book was launched with an evening lecture at the National Gallery in London on 19 December, which Ian and Nina attended. See their own blog for the proud parents’ perspective of the
event!
Our plans for the summer were thrown into disarray by the pending building work, which was due to start at the end of July. We had been hoping to welcome our Belgian friend, Margaux (daughter of our bridesmaid, Anne Baujaux) for a two week stay, but with her commitments and ours becoming more complicated, we mutually agreed to postpone the visit, which was very disappointing. Margaux is now studying languages at the University of Bruxelles so we hope she will still come to stay at sometime in the future.
Then, a week into the summer holidays, we were shocked by the tragic death of a friend and colleague, Peter Vernon, who was killed while out cycling in the lanes around our home. He was Head of Music, and he and David had taught at the same school for over 20 years. He and his wife also lived just around the corner from us, so we were the first of his work colleagues to receive the news from the family. David took on the task of notifying all the school contacts. His funeral service was standing room only, a joyous musical celebration of his life, and many men would have been flattered to have so many young women, in particular, at their farewell!
As a consequence of Peter’s untimely death, David also became involved with Music for Youth. Peter had nurtured young performers for many years and on several occasions his protégés had won through to t
he final and the chance to perform at the Youth Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. This year’s entrants did not win, but were highly commended by the judges, and the weekend that Peter died, he received a letter inviting them to take part in this year’s prom. Peter’s music colleague, Nina, took on responsibility for the performance, while David handled all the admin required, and in November we all (performers, supporters and, of course, Peter’s family as VIPs) travelled by coach to London. It was a wonderful occasion and the musicians did themselves and Peter proud, dedicating their performance to his memory.
Hobby-wise it has been a productive year for both of us. Over the winter, David made good progress on b
uilding his tug boat, the Yorkshireman. Now that much of the basic super structure is in place, it begins to look like a real tug. He had great fun fitting out the bridge with knobs, lights and “computer screens” and wiring grain of rice bulbs into all the bulk head lights so that they will function. At the same time he has started to strip and refurbish the RAF target launch he had bought previously at auction. He had an interesting hit via the website from a guy whose father owned the original launch (presumably after it was decommissioned). And the renamed “Lottie” (she was previously “Peggy”) won first prize at the annual Venetian Night competition, with her name in lights between the two masts. At the AGM of the Model Boat Club, David became treasurer of the club.
Some of you will already be aware of, and may even have been on the receiving end of Lesley’s new hobby – card making. Mum started it by joining a class back in September 2006, but living at Ridgeway her access to supplies of materials was limited, so I was often commissioned to find things for her. Well, of course, that got me interested and in February this year I started making my own cards. We now share ideas and purchases of papers and trimmings. Some of you will have received birthday cards and/or Christmas cards already. I made over 70 Christmas cards while we were living in the caravan and no two were the same, though some were very similar! I’ve joined a group of like-minded people who meet once a week to craft round a large table, sharing coffee, ideas, materials and a good natter. It’s very therapeutic!
And so another year draws to a close and a new one has already begun for our family in Melbourne. We wish you all that you would wish for yourselves in the year ahead, but especially good health and happy new memories to add to your store.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
e went back to Wales for the third time in October, which we counted as our “main” holiday this year. We booked onto a site on the Gower and enjoyed exploring this previously unknown (to us) corner of Wales. We had lovely weather and were able to make the most of the walks, views and beaches. Lesley even paddled one day (and no, I was not gritting my teeth against the cold – it was actually very pleasant). While there we also had a day with Mum at Ridgeway and met Ian and Nina at the Mumbles for a meal out one evening. We also visited David’s cousin Richard and his wife, Kristine, who live in Sketty and had a very entertaining evening with them.Nor has the rest of David’s family been neglected. Dad, of course, lives nearby, in Burton and we see him regularly, either at our house when he comes to share a meal, or when we drop by his bungalow in passing. Kelvin and Tanya visit every couple of months, and Dad goes to stay with them two or there times a year.
In May our greatness was re-confirmed with the arrival of Ben and Emily’s second child – our great niece, named Angharad – in Melbourne, Australia. We have become avid readers of their blog (see link right) to follow the progress of both Leo, now aged 2, and his little sister.Meanwhile Emily’s sister, Jenny, was working on a production of her own, a learned work on her specialist subject, the artist Van Eyck. She started researching Van Eyck for her PhD and has continued while lecturing at Exeter (part of the University of Plymouth). The book was launched with an evening lecture at the National Gallery in London on 19 December, which Ian and Nina attended. See their own blog for the proud parents’ perspective of the
event!Our plans for the summer were thrown into disarray by the pending building work, which was due to start at the end of July. We had been hoping to welcome our Belgian friend, Margaux (daughter of our bridesmaid, Anne Baujaux) for a two week stay, but with her commitments and ours becoming more complicated, we mutually agreed to postpone the visit, which was very disappointing. Margaux is now studying languages at the University of Bruxelles so we hope she will still come to stay at sometime in the future.
Then, a week into the summer holidays, we were shocked by the tragic death of a friend and colleague, Peter Vernon, who was killed while out cycling in the lanes around our home. He was Head of Music, and he and David had taught at the same school for over 20 years. He and his wife also lived just around the corner from us, so we were the first of his work colleagues to receive the news from the family. David took on the task of notifying all the school contacts. His funeral service was standing room only, a joyous musical celebration of his life, and many men would have been flattered to have so many young women, in particular, at their farewell!
As a consequence of Peter’s untimely death, David also became involved with Music for Youth. Peter had nurtured young performers for many years and on several occasions his protégés had won through to t
he final and the chance to perform at the Youth Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. This year’s entrants did not win, but were highly commended by the judges, and the weekend that Peter died, he received a letter inviting them to take part in this year’s prom. Peter’s music colleague, Nina, took on responsibility for the performance, while David handled all the admin required, and in November we all (performers, supporters and, of course, Peter’s family as VIPs) travelled by coach to London. It was a wonderful occasion and the musicians did themselves and Peter proud, dedicating their performance to his memory.Hobby-wise it has been a productive year for both of us. Over the winter, David made good progress on b
uilding his tug boat, the Yorkshireman. Now that much of the basic super structure is in place, it begins to look like a real tug. He had great fun fitting out the bridge with knobs, lights and “computer screens” and wiring grain of rice bulbs into all the bulk head lights so that they will function. At the same time he has started to strip and refurbish the RAF target launch he had bought previously at auction. He had an interesting hit via the website from a guy whose father owned the original launch (presumably after it was decommissioned). And the renamed “Lottie” (she was previously “Peggy”) won first prize at the annual Venetian Night competition, with her name in lights between the two masts. At the AGM of the Model Boat Club, David became treasurer of the club.Some of you will already be aware of, and may even have been on the receiving end of Lesley’s new hobby – card making. Mum started it by joining a class back in September 2006, but living at Ridgeway her access to supplies of materials was limited, so I was often commissioned to find things for her. Well, of course, that got me interested and in February this year I started making my own cards. We now share ideas and purchases of papers and trimmings. Some of you will have received birthday cards and/or Christmas cards already. I made over 70 Christmas cards while we were living in the caravan and no two were the same, though some were very similar! I’ve joined a group of like-minded people who meet once a week to craft round a large table, sharing coffee, ideas, materials and a good natter. It’s very therapeutic!
And so another year draws to a close and a new one has already begun for our family in Melbourne. We wish you all that you would wish for yourselves in the year ahead, but especially good health and happy new memories to add to your store.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
