January 2007

Well Christmas has come and gone and what a hectic time it has been!!! In November we went to visit Steve and Sam for Tristan’s birthday. It was a pirate party and the kids had a ball. We had to be back by the Sunday morning as Bruce was sailing the next morning.

The other highlight of November was a phone call we got one Thursday evening asking if we were free for the weekend. The reply was that we could make a plan…..Thus a visit from Debs and Steve and children happened that very weekend! (Bruce’s sister etc) It was a hectic one but so brilliant to see them. We went through to Lymington to watch rugby and have cheese fondue, then back home as the big people were going sailing on Sunday morning which was a blustery day and full of excitement…..while they were there I took the kids on a short scenic drive to see our ‘broken castle’. We took them for a walk in the Wareham forest after lunch. I took Steve to Argos to get a dehumidifier on Monday morning and they flew out in the afternoon. The kids had an absolute ball and Emily was so distraught at their leaving that she refused to say goodbye.

December began with a bang….Emily had her class assembly, they did the advent calendar and that afternoon was their school Christmas fayre, the choir sang some Christmas carols of which Emily is a member. We visited the ballet class that she will be attending as of next Monday. She had an end year function and performance at Rainbow – baby Brownies and that same week was her School play – Christmas around the World. She was a Hawaiian girl, her granddad was so impressed because apart from one other child she was the only one he could hear say her lines. We had a visit from Father Christmas in Wareham, he uses a different mode of transport every year and has been visiting for 47 years. This year was an open top bus although in the past he has come on a camel, James Bond boat and various others. He then goes down the chimney of the local ‘Red Lion Hotel’, there is a parade through town and Christmas carols. This year it poured with rain which apparently is not unusual. We watched with our neighbours and their children and grandchildren who came down from Guildford. The kids loved it!

Emily’s birthday was a little low key what with everything going on. She had 5 friends around for cake after school on the day. We went through to Lymington on the weekend for The Needles Relief, which started as a fleet of boats going out to the lighthouse to take the keeper some gifts and supplies, but now it is automated they have a social race and meet up in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, for Carol singing and plenty of drinking. Bruce, Philippa, my Dad and some others sailed while the rest of us went over on the ferry and met them after the race. Angus sailed back on the boat. I have tried not to get too slothful on the weekends and managed to get some of us out for a walk on Longslade heath, New Forest. The kids are getting really fit and we are able to go for about an hour and a half walk and they seem to run a lot of the way.

School holidays started on 21 December and we joined the family again in Lymington for Christmas. It was great fun with lots of food, and presents. I think the children really enjoyed their first proper European type Christmas. Again managed to go for a walk on boxing day. Unfortunately one of Emily’s wishes didn’t come true as we had no snow…..in fact the weather has been really mild altho’ we have been having some gales in the last couple of days – they have closed some of the roads and bridges all over the UK and advised high sided vehicles against travelling. For the week between Christmas and New Year we relaxed a bit at home and went mountain biking. OOPS……forgot some important news. We have bought a boat, okay a dingy – a gull- and her name is Bluebell, she is a little like a mirror and we are looking for a 2 hp motor so that we can motor down the river and then hoist the mast and sails once we get to Poole harbour. Come on Summer!!!!!!!!

We went to Wimbledon to watch a pantomime, Peter Pan on 29th, it was great fun. Henry Winkler (the Fonz) from Happy Days played Cpt Hook. On the Saturday Philippa and I went to Oxford street and met up with the other bridesmaids to do some dress shopping. We left the house just after 9am and got back just after 8pm, exhausted but successful. Got wedding dress material as well.

For New Year we again met up with the family in Lymington and saw the New Year in with family and friends. We were glad to get home again and let our feet touch the ground, ready to start again! School started again on the 4th, so we have been back a week now. Bruce has been really hectic at work this week, he has been to London and Birmingham and there are a good few shows happening in the next while. He has really benefited from the ‘habits’ course, now I have to consult his diary before I can plan anything – not just inform him!

Emily has started Rainbows again, ballet starts on Monday and what with getting boats and talk of France for the Summer holidays on Aquaholic, Dad’s boat, the kids are starting swimming lessons today. So our weeks look somewhat hectic from now on. We are also going to see Helen and Nik in January and Sally, Bruce’s cousin is coming our way again. My mom is coming over for Philippa’s graduation – she is now Dr Phlip, of Psychology, and for the wedding in April. Phil and Mel are coming in February, we are looking after Casey – Sam and Steve’s dog Howard and Mel are coming over in May and I’m making Philippa’s wedding dress in that time. So there is a lot to look forward to and Bruce will be trying to go climbing every week at the local indoor wall, we want to try dry skiing at Warmwell nearby, mountain biking needs to be fitted in and when Summer comes there will be sailing as well as any yacht-racing when the season opens.

If anyone else is around and about let us know we’d love to see you and please let us know your news, it’s always great getting news from good ole SA. Lots of love to you all, we think about all of you from time to time.

Ciau
The Wot Lot

PS. For those who are interested, we are posting photos on www.flickr.com so let us know if you want to access them and we will send you invites.