We wish all our readers a very happy and healthy New Year.
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| Jeremy, Hal and Ruth |
At present we are still landlubbers. We fly to San Francisco
on 12th February. After visiting Simon and Erin, we fly to Phoenix
and take the overnight bus to Guaymas, where Sal Darago has been waiting for us
since last May.
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| Anna, James and Jeremy |
Our car was mended; then the same fault raised its ugly head
forcing us into a decision to buy a replacement. We collect our “new” 2010 Ford
Focus Estate tomorrow.
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| Look who's in York |
As for us, the physiotherapy sessions were more useful to me
than they were to Jeremy. It seems that he may not have a rotator cuff shoulder
injury after all. Hopefully, the damage will heal in time. He might have a
steroid injection before we leave the UK. My knees have improved and are fine
for 5 mile walks in Suffolk.
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| Kathy, Ros and Andrew |
We were very relieved to receive the all clear from the
hospital a week or two after Jeremy’s colonoscopy. He will now be monitored and
will have to have another colonoscopy sooner or later.
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| Martha and Amanda |
I started a 10 week course of Spanish lessons at the end of
September. Buenos Dias. Hola.
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| Eileen, Kathy, Gavin and Jeremy |
At half term, we spent a few days visiting friends and
family. We had a lovely lunch with my friend, Anne and husband, Bill in Milton
Keynes; two nights on the edge of the Peak District with nephew Hal, his wife
Ruth and their almost grown up sons, Ewan and Tom; two nights in York with
another nephew Jamie, his wife, Juliette and their active children Alice, Anna
and Daniel; lunch in Durham with friends, Andy and Moira, finishing off with a
night in Ponteland with College friend Ros and husband Andrew. On the way home,
we had lunch in Cleadon with Jeremy’s brother, Gavin, his wife, Eileen, our
niece, Amanda, her daughter, Martha, and son, Nathan. Thank you everyone for
your hospitality. It was great to see you all and catch up with your news.
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| Halloween |
Ellie’s school Halloween Party fell on a Tuesday, so we
dressed for the occasion, ate cakes and sweets and played various games in the
school hall.
Not long afterwards, Emily and Ben hosted a bonfire party
for neighbours at their home. On Bonfire Night, we returned to Ellie’s school
for a firework display and supper of hot dogs, followed by donuts. Umm – a very
British festival followed by American food……..Perhaps we’re cosmopolitan after
all!
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| Knitted poppies adorn the font |
Our village, Campsea Ashe, put on a detailed display for the
100 years commemoration of the end of the First World War. The Remembrance Day
service held on 11th November, exactly 100 years since the end of
hostilities, was well-attended and a fitting tribute to all who lost their
lives in the war.
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| David and Jeremy |
At the end of November, Jeremy’s old school friend, David,
spent a night with us. It was a pleasure to see him and catch up on news.
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| Andy and Kathy |
I went to Lancashire early in December and spent four nights
with my friend, Pat, her sons, Lloyd and Liam and Liam’s girlfriend, Mara. Also
resident in the house were two dogs and two cats. Nearby in the stables were
the horses and ponies, Duke, Ben and Jacko.
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| Jacko with Pat and Kathy on board |
I enjoyed having a coffee with
ex-College colleague, Andy; lunch with another ex-colleague, Lynda; coffee with
ex-neighbours, Ruth and Frank; coffee with cousins, John and Julie and lunch
with friends, Sue and Gerry after a lovely welcome at my old church, St James
in Wrightington. Somehow, we also found time to ride out with Duke and Ben.
Thank you, Pat, for walking so that Chloe and I could ride. In the evening Pat,
Lloyd and I enjoyed a lovely dinner to celebrate Christmas with members of the British
Driving Society. It was wonderful to catch up with the news of you all.
Our friend, Dale, invited us to her 60th birthday
party at her house in Bath. Jeremy found a friendly Air bnb just around the
corner, hosted by Hilary and Alan. We had a great time, chatting, eating and
dancing until 1.00am.
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| Can you spot Kathy, Dale, Mimi and Jeremy? |
Soon, Christmas was upon us. We spent three nights with Em,
Ben, Ellie, Sophie and Tess (the dog). Santa came and two very happy children
tore open their presents. Ellie’s favourite was her pink guitar (ukulele).
Sophie’s best present was the satsuma in her stocking! The adults received some
lovely gifts as well. Granny Beth came over to join in the excitement.
Once home, we arranged to view a number of cars and ended up
agreeing to buy the 2010 Focus mentioned earlier.
Then it was panto time – “oh yes it was”, “oh no it wasn’t”.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs went down very well at the Regent Theatre in
Ipswich. Our tickets were our Christmas present and we were joined by Em, Ben
and Ellie.
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| Grandpa Jeremy, Ellie, Sophie and Granny Kathy |
Our final party of the year was on New Year’s Eve, when Em,
Ben, Ellie, Sophie and Tess came over for lunch.
Hasta luego, amigos.
