Christmas Newsletter 2018

Well... another year has flown by and I am yet again writing the Christmas Newsletter!

Unlike last year, when Kevin was away much of the time, he has been home for the majority of 2018.

He decided not to return to Egypt, got a job in Abu Dhabi and was there for about 2 months (during April, May and June) when suddenly that came to an abrupt end.

 Before I even got chance to visit!!

However there is always plenty to do in the garden, around the house and on the allotment.

I started off a lot of the plants on the allotment along with the help of Sophie and Liz, but Kevin was home by the Summer to do lots of watering! 

We were delighted with our produce:

Mum and Dad have needed a lot of support this year - scroll down to the next post for their newsletter - Mum was diagnosed with a broken leg in February - after several weeks of agony! It was a horizontal pressure fracture just above the ankle.

 This was the start of 8 months of leg problems what with one thing and another. By July, she was walking beautifully again - but then she had an incident with the stairlift...

Dad has good days and bad days - he is usually best in the morning, at which point he knows every word to many songs, hymns and carols (including ones in French!)

In May he ended up in hospital but he improved very quickly and was soon out.

 Here Lucas and Ella were visiting! Lucas entertained Great Grandad with the floss!

We now have a vehicle which will take the wheelchair so occasionally we can get Dad and Mum round here or to the allotment.

In February it was good to see Caroline and John

And also catch up with Janet at Isaac's christening.

We celebrated Chinese New Year at our place...

In April, Sophie, Kevin and I went to Australia - we arrived on the morning of my Birthday - so I had my favourite breakfast (Eggs Benedict) 

and later a cake with Dan, Lizzie, Tom and Aiden!

We had a lovely time visiting family and friends, seeing the sights...

Matt needed help with his deck:

Here we are watching Jasmine and Isabell coming in from their sailing lesson:

  

We saw Nikki (as Pixie Violet ) in action at the food festival.

Lizzie and I seemed to have quite a few glasses of wine... Dan enjoyed cooking for us...Tom, Aiden and Kevin enjoyed the eating...

We met up with Gary and Liz...

Here is Sophie setting off for her interview at St Kevin's - for a job she subsequently was offered - she sets off for Australia and her new job in January. 

Another Birthday treat for me - going for a glass of Chandon!

This trip was over far too quickly - we were only there for a couple of weeks!

In May, Sophie and I had great fun making things for the village Plant Pot Trail.

We made Jack and the Beanstalk and the giant for Mum and Dad's...

At the end of May, Sophie and I went over to Anglesey for a few days - Sophie is on the top of that arch!

Later in the month Kevin came back from Abu Dhabi,

 and he and I went on a short break to Prague.

In July we went down to Devon to stay with Liz and Pete and attend the Glas Denbury Music Festival. We also watched some of the football...

Disaster on the way back when the car broke down...

The car had to have a new engine!!

Each month Kevin and I, with Andrew and Kathryn and sometimes Liz, help Mum and Dad entertain the Golden Oldies (Mum's brothers and sisters and their other halves) to lunch.

Here are the Golden Aunts and me with Liz and Andrew - and also Janet with Mum and Dad when she called on a GOs day - in the Summer!

Sophie came up to stay for most of her Summer holiday - as usual she had an agenda - she had a list of places she wanted to visit...this was at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

In particular, she had never been to Scotland

 so she thought we better go before she leaves for Australia. 

So we had a whistlestop tour up North...

While Sophie is at our house she loves to play in my craftroom - as do I!!

 

Kevin also likes to play...making the stand and playing the ukulele!!

I have been to a few crafty retreats during the year, enjoying the workshops and meeting friends:

But then we reached November... Caroline's baby shower and Bonfire Night!

     

And now we are looking forward to Christmas... the Christmas tree is up in the Cathedral. Mum and I call in there each Wednesday when we go into Derby for Mum's Hair appointment.

Anyway I think that gives you an idea of our 2018 - hope yours was a good one!

Wishing you all the best for a Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2019!

Sue and Kevin


xx