Christmas 2006

Christmas Newsletter 2006 Suddenly it’s December 3rd and I must send the Christmas cards – they mention a newsletter so I had better write one! The Christmas cards are not what I had hoped this year – the fact that the Renshaws are still scattered world-wide does not help organising a drawing or a printer - but anyway I hope you enjoy trying to recognise who is who.

Where should I start? This time last year Liz came to stay with me in Hong Kong – she really enjoyed it and we both had a taste of the United Arab Emirates, going to stay with Kevin in Al Ain for a few days.

Christmas saw all six Renshaws in the UK. Kevin, the boys and Nikki (Matt's girlfriend) and I flew in separately from the UAE, Australia and Hong Kong respectively to spend the festive season with Sophie and the rest of the family in Devon and Derby. Robert did a sterling job meeting and greeting at the airport and putting up the Australian contingent. I was disappointed that I saw him for only a matter of minutes – however he did have delicious mince pies even if he was not wearing a Santa's hat. We had an excellent time with Liz, Pete and all for Christmas – and then we moved on up to Derby and borrowed Colin and Lynn's house in Mickleover, where we were happy to invite everyone for New Year. It was the first time that Tom and Matt had been back to the UK since 1998 – and the first time that Nikki had been out of Australia! The boys enjoyed catching up with old friends and familiar places – Nikki noticed the cold!

After a lovely holiday we all flew off in different directions. My intention had been to leave Hong Kong permanently at Chinese New Year (around February time) to join Kevin in Al Ain. However by then Kevin had decided that Al Ain was not going to be a long term assignment and suggested I find and lease a new apartment in Hong Kong. So, I moved back to Discovery Bay. Before this Liz and Pete came to stay with me for Chinese New Year – Kevin could not get flights – but then the four of us met up for a weekend in Bangkok a few weeks later! We love Thailand.

Around this time however the whole family were much saddened by the death of Hilary – my aunt and godmother. Hilary had written to me, sent me books, exchanged daily emails and chatted on msn all the while I had been in Hong Kong and before. It was a huge shock to know that she was no longer there. I flew to London for the funeral. On the bright side it was lovely to catch up with so many friends and relations, and stay with Robert for the few days.

Kevin and I had another trip to Bangkok in March – we were invited to an Indian (Hindu) wedding which was stunning. Then in May, Liz and Pete came to stay in Hong Kong again – and this time Kevin managed to get there too – a lovely week!

By this time Kevin was talking about moving out of Al Ain and working in Abu Dhabi – a much better prospect for me – and we started making plans for me to move over to the UAE. However I still had a long lease on the apartment in Hong Kong – and didn't want to finish working for Faust just yet...

In the summer Kevin, Sophie and I planned to be in the UK. By then Sophie had finished her second year at Keele (studying biochemistry and forensic science), had given up her job working behind the bar in a bowling alley in Stoke and was back at Mum and Dad's occasionally working behind the bar at the Navigation. Once again Kevin could only join us for a short time but we all enjoyed part of the Menai Straits regattas and meeting up with friends and relations (we had a brilliant picnic with all the 'Stanilands' in Caernarfon one day). As usual we took over the corner of the campsite in Beaumaris where we always stay – half a dozen tents, boats, cars, people, dogs, trophies (Andrew's boats, crewed by different combinations of us figured high in the ratings every day!) before returning for a few days in Derby. Kevin's Mum is now living in a residential home in Findern – a highlight was being able to take her out for the day, including a canal boat trip at Stenson lock.

The flights back coincided with the security scares and additional security checks at all UK airports – we seem to have made a habit of travelling at difficult times (exactly a year since I was stuck at Heathrow for 3 days in 2005).

Sophie had decided to end her summer holiday by coming out to Hong Kong to stay with me. Although I was back at work we managed to pack in a huge amount, including a trip to Bangkok (well I had to show her what we like so much). She went on various day trips on her own, as Liz had had to do when she came, a lot revolving around shopping. While Liz had selected temples and cultural sites to visit, Sophie was more interested in theme parks. Sophie and I both went to Disney. To finish her trip I joined her for a few days in Abu Dhabi with Kevin. By this time Kevin had just moved living space for the third time, to a large apartment at the top of an apartment building in the business area of Abu Dhabi – a 5 minute walk from his office – Sophie and I managed to unpack a few of the boxes.

In August Kevin made the momentous decision to leave Hyder – after 26 years. He has now been working for Cardno International, an Australian owned company for 3 months – still based in Abu Dhabi.

The company is an engineering and environmental company and Kevin is running the office – currently small but likely to grow rapidly with the amount of work around in the Middle East.

The change in employer meant a trip to Australia for Kevin in September – and I joined him for the Melbourne part of the trip. We only had a short time but made the most of every minute – arranging Sunday breakfast to meet Liz and Gary; Monday morning coffee to meet Glenda. And of course I saw Tom and Dan and Matt and Nikki and Aiden. Bec arranged for me to go to Aiden's school and meet Aiden's teacher. She thinks almost as much of Aiden as I do! It was lovely to see his classroom and meet his little friends! Kevin and I joined the boys (big and little) for trips to the beach (with sea kayaks for Matt and Dan) and we all enjoyed dinner out with Nikki's Mum and partner. It was a lovely weekend – bright and sunny – and excellent to see the Brighton beach huts, the tall trees in the Dandenongs and parts of the Mornington Peninsula.

Tom is still working for the taxi firm; Dan has at last got a 'proper job' after his business degree; Matt is still freelancing teaching outdoor sports – he spent 3 months on Hamilton Island recently teaching sea kayaking.

And now we are almost up to date. I finally have my date of leaving Hong Kong and Faust in sight (December 9th). I am not leaving work here totally however as I still intend being involved in the Peter Pan tour. I will be back to Hong Kong in January and then go to Manila for a month (looking after the child cast). In the last few weeks I have been taking the opportunity to experience things I will have less chance to do when I am no longer living in Hong Kong full time. The cable car to the Big Buddha on Lantau has finally opened – and so with great trepidation (Kevin would not have joined me if he were here) I ventured aboard. The views were amazing, particularly looking down on the airport. Recently I have been into China, visiting Guilin (an area of stunning scenery), Guangzhou and Shenzhen (shopping of course).

We have run into flight problems again with our plans for Christmas. Liz, Pete, Ella, John and Julia are all organised to join Tom, Dan, Aiden, Matt and Nikki at Byron Bay in Australia. The campsite is booked – Sophie is booked to fly to UAE – but Kevin Sophie and I are on 'waitlists' to get to Brisbane. It looks pretty hopeless – I will tell you what happens next Christmas!!

Love Sue and Kevin XX