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Wishing You a Happy Christmas and a Successful New Year


John relaxing in Rudding Park's Library


 2011 saw yet another milestone with John reaching what is still the official retirement age. We celebrated by spending a weekend at Rudding Park near Harrogate. The hotel has its own golf course and being optimists, we took the golf clubs but they remained in the boot of the car as the snow failed to melt in time.

Patsy still keeps active; she swims and attends 2 to 3 aerobics classes a week. Although John's weak immune system means that he does pick up more bugs than he would like, his general health has been pretty good. He is monitored two monthly and remains in remission.


Our Only Joint Picture of 2011(on a boat)
You may remember that last year we attempted to go to Australia using Patsy's concessionary flight but only managed to spend three un-memorable days at Heathrow failing to get seats. At the end of April we resurected the trip and spent a week in Sydney and two on New Zealand's north island, staying in Auckland, Paihia and Rotorua. The country was gearing up for the Rugby World Cup so we visited an official merchandise shop in Auckland only to find that every nation's shirt was available apart from England's. Presumably, there had been a run on the shirts of such a popular nation!


Patsy in Traditional Pose in Auckland

  


Paihia Apartment

The stay in Paihia proved to be most enjoyable with good food and plenty to do. We even went sand sledging where as you can see from the picture, Patsy has an unusual technique.


Patsy 'sledging' on a sand dune

  


John 'Powering' a 7 Iron at Lake Taupo

Rotorua is renowned for its aroma which owes a lot to the hydrogen sulphide released by the hot but often very colourful springs. Whilst here, we managed a little golf at nearby Lake Taupo,hitting balls from a mat onto a pontoon in the water. The picture does show that John's posture now reflects his age.

Our time in Sydney was used mainly for relaxation and involved visiting the beautiful parks and beaches in the area. It also included a visit to the Opera Kitchen where you can sit within a few metres of the Opera House and look across the water at the Harbour Bridge, surely one of the best restaurant locations in the World.


John at Sydney's Opera Kitchen


Patsy on the Northern Beaches Near Sydney

New Zealand Gallery


The Maouri Treaty Grounds in Waitangi, Paihia


Two Old Geysers at Rotorua


Rotorua Spring


Rotorua Apartment with Our 'Amazing' Hire Car

Our house has always had plenty of storage, mainly due to a large loft area. However, to gain access, you needed the skills of a potholer. We therefore decided that we must have a proper door. Unfortunately, this required major structural change including the installation of a large steel beam. As this was going to be costly, we decided that we may as well create a proper room. So we now have a lot less storage space but we do have a lovely room with great views and just as importantly, a Thomas the Tank Engine train set which our grandson, Seth, thoroughly enjoys. The train set also acts as an educational toy - we get him to count the trucks and recognise the names on their sides.

Our latest project has been to install solar panels. The calculations made sense in that you could expect to break even in 10 years (even in tropical Northumberland) and for the following 15 you made a profit (assuming one of us lasts that long). They are now in place so all we need is a little sun.


Jan still officially works in London but she and partner Dave have now bought a property near Dave's work in Derby. She didn't want anything too conventional so they purchased a converted barn with lots of character (code for needs lots of work) with wooden beams and several attachments that prove that it once had a different use. It is in a very small village close to East Midlands Airport and Donnington Park racing circuit. There are a few shops including a good pub/chocolate shop, an old fashioned butchers, a knitting wool shop and a garden centre. They are having to diversify their skills and are currently concentrating on plumbing and gardening. For any botanist/zoologist, their lawn contains a relatively rare grub, the chafer beetle, which is best known for eating grass roots. This has proved to be a great boost for their dandelion crop.


The 'Barn'


Helping Out at an Animal Sanctuary


At the MCG

 Stephen and partner Clare are still teaching at a school near Durham. This year, they decided to take Seth to visit one of Stephen's old school friends. Seth, who is now two and three quarters and is a very active child, enjoyed the 30 hour flight to Melbourne but couldn't understand why he couldn't pop round to see gran and granddad. He did enjoy feeding the kangaroos, going on a tram and of course, travelling on Melbourne's steam train, Puffing Billy. He managed to speak to us using Skype, mainly to check on the health of Thomas, his coaches, Annie and Clarabel, and the troublesome trucks (fans of the Reverend Audrey stories will know what I am talking about).

Having taken very little interest in DIY when living with us, Stephen has found that it is actually quite enjoyable as well as saving money. He has put up his own wardrobes, assembled beds and shows promise in the gardening department.

He still has to go to regular check ups for his testicular cancer but significantly, has passed the two year mark with no sign of a recurrence. Statistically, this should mean that he will remain clear.
Waiting for Puffing Billy


Possible Health and Safety Issue?


Getting Fit (He Needs to Keep Up with His Gran)


  Link to 2010 'Letter'  
    Link to 2009 'Letter'