Patsy and John's Web-site
Wishing You a Happy Christmas and a Successful New Year

2010 has been limited to some extent by John's slow but sure recover from his chemotherapy of October 2009. Of course, his recovery may have been quicker had he realised in January that the slight pain in his foot was actually a broken metatarsel. John initially lost all of his hair, however, when it did grow back it was incredibly wavy. This didn't last and after the first cut, it was straight again and annoyingly, a little sparse in top.

Arguably, the most significant event of the year was our 40th wedding anniversary at the end of August. We took the family to St Andrews, forcing them to stay in University accommodation and participate in the traditional pastimes of beach walking and putting.


Patsy and John with grandson Seth on the famous Swilcan bridge in St Andrews


Seth toasting our anniversary


Jan and Dave on the same bridge
In Northumberland, we are very lucky to have many wonderful places to visit. The Farne Islands are a particular example with their varied bird life and seal population. Patsy and John had not visited them since the children were young but on a beautiful June day and armed with plenty of ginger tablets (to combat their to sea sickness), they enjoyed a trip on Inner Farne primarily to see the nesting terns and puffins. [This para was included to help the Visit Northumberland organisation as their budget for advertising has been cut next year].

There aren't many positives about being over 60 but one exception is the access to cheap/free travel. This enabled Patsy to persuade the culturally challenged John to visit London and go to Shakespeare's Henry VIII at the Globe. For anyone who hasn't experienced this venue, it has been restored to its original design from Shakespearean times. This made for a good atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

We decided to use Patsy's 2010/11 concessionary flight for a 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand in October. Whilst the flight is a great perk, it can also be a pain in the ...... We were unable to get seats on three successive nights and as the situation appeared to be getting worse rather than better, we decided to give up. However, we did salvage something from the trip by staying on in London to see Yes Prime Minister and go on the Millennium Wheel.


Spectacular view from the Millennium Wheel
After unbooking all of the OZ/NZ accommodation, we hastily organised an alternative holiday to Florida. Jan decided to join us for part of the time – she cannot resist an opportunity for shopping therapy. She and Patsy also went to Universal Studios to check if the new Harry Potter attraction lived up to its hype (it did!).


The lakes that are a feature of the
surroundings to our accommodation

  


The Hogwarts Express

Once Jan left, complete with Christmas presents and a new wardrobe, Patsy and John managed to play golf before moving to the Gulf Coast (not a drop of oil in sight) to simply relax and enjoy the wide variety of birds, in particular, friendly herons and pelicans. Our timing was perfect as the trip coincided with much of the UK including Ponteland suffering severe snow storms.


Patsy dining on the beach (not in snow)

  


An illiterate heron

  


Spectacular sunset with same heron
Our grandson, Seth is now 21 months old and is making good progress. He has been walking since February and has recently started to talk. He already has quite a good vocabulary which includes one or two 'interesting' expressions. As far as we can gather, they are very similar to those used by his mum when Sunderland miss a chance or concede a goal.


In Washington Wildfowl Park Playground

  


Clare and Seth in the Recent Snow

 
Steve with Clare and Seth in the Same Snow


And finally:

Patsy is still working part time for an organisation that provides work for people with special needs. She tries to kid herself that she isn't 62 by undertaking a rigid fitness regime that includes aerobics, body pump, body step, running, walking and golf.

Jan turned 30 this year which is quite frightening as it seems no time at all since she was about to start University some 12 years ago. She is still in London although her free time is now spent commuting to Derby where partner Dave has just taken a job at Rolls Royce. One of her most noteworthy experiences was that she was a victim of the ash cloud, getting stranded in California for over 2 weeks.


The Cake

Steve continues to teach at a school on the outskirts of Durham. He and partner Clare have recently bought their own house in nearby Chester le Street. It is brand new, has four bedrooms and is like a castle compared to their previous rented accommodation. He has not had any further medical problems following his operation last year for testicular cancer although he continues to be monitored. Stephen now participates in the Movember campaign, a global fundraising initiative that involves growing a moustache (as in the above picture) for 30 days in November to raise mens' awareness of certain health issues such as testicular and prostate cancer.

   
    Link to 2009 'Letter'