The photo at the top in the banner was taken in Sweden in January this year - it was the view from Agnes and Doug's little red house in Kil; and this cartoon was inspired by the antics of our dogs - and specially by JP's penchant for chasing deer!
This has been a really busy year and as usual completely unforeseen events have happened since this time last year. The little cartoon above gives you a clue as to one of the major (for me) events as I moved to North Cornelly in Wales in July. I wasn't given any time at all to make plans as to what I could fill my time with when Chris finished his GCSEs in which I had been home-schooling him - long before that date was up Geraldine and Dave asked if I would consider re-locating to Wales to help with looking after Leah as they both work in the hospitals here. I didn't need a second invitation! I fell in love with Wales in 1965 or 1966 on a visit from Kenya...believe it or not I think it was the one place in the British Isles we actually had good weather that summer!
The move to Wales was not the only movement in the family this year as Doug, Agnes and little Thandi moved to New Zealand for a 2-year post-doc post that Agnes had been offered. I think they would have preferred to stay in Sweden but they had to do what they had to do and the time will pass very quickly - more quickly than you can believe if this year is anything to go on for the speed of time. Doug hopes to resume and complete his PhD while there and Thandi, no doubt will change from baby girl to little girl - indeed - she is fast doing so as you will see by photos featured in various places on this blog. Thank goodness for Skype so we can keep in touch. As I tap this blog they are en route by car from Hamilton on the North Island to Dunedin on the south of South Island and hope to arrive by Doug's 30th birthday on 21st December. Thandi started taking steps - she is probably running everywhere by now.
Photo left - Sweden and right - Wales!
I have been fortunate enough to make 2 trips to Sweden early this year in January and again in April/May. It is easy to see why Doug loves Sweden so much. Geraldine and Leah were with me (or was I with them?) on the April/May trip and it was lovely to see the two new grandchildren together - we had a lovely time. We met Agnes parents Anna-Karin and Jan, again for me, and first time for Gels. We saw different parts of Sweden, where Doug was running his experiments at Bratfors, we visited Karlstad and we visited Agnes Uncle and Aunt near Nora - we spent a very interesting day there. Then in July Doug Agnes and Thandi visited us here in the UK - and didn't really have the kind of weather to have a lovely time...it rained, and rained and rained. Doug was pleased because Agnes had not believed him how awful British weather can be...but still - it was pretty awful weather but...nothing really dampens a family reuinion and we all got together and enjoyed the visit!
That wasn't the only reunion - Anne and Pete were the 'last' visitors I was able to have in Dorset before I packed up and they spent a wonderful weekend with us in May - Joan and Anthony too. The little house was full to bursting and Joan and Anthony had to 'overflow' into Sandra and Roger's next door and I slept in my tent in the garden...it was great fun - Mum stayed with me and Jan came up for a day when she collected Mum so it was very busy but lovely to have everyone - Pam and Roger came over too so lots of nostalgic reminiscing and lots and lots of laughs. Photos - left Mum and Anne reminiscing and right - Pete listening to it all with apparent amusement. While in the kitchen Sandra and Joan found something hilariously funny.
That covers the major unforeseen events of the year! Goodness, and then there were the 'foreseen' events too - Chris passed his GCSEs and got himself a moped and an agricultural apprenticeship with Home Farm - the National Trust run farm on the Kingston Lacey Estate. Well done Chris! I love the stories of you transporting your boss on top of the pig in the trailer at top speed accross the farm...and the other one about staring down a particlarly stupid female member of the public who expected you to reverse a wacking big tractor and trailer round a blind right angled bend...but when I have more time I'll devote a whole blog to your funny stories ...I miss you - you were guaranteed to bring me my daily laugh!
Sarah had a taste of uni and decided against it for a year or two - it was just enough for her to realise that she needed to regroup her ideas and plan her attack on adult-life slightly differently and, in my opinion, much more sensibly...however - if you can't be a bit silly when you are young you certainly won't get another chance till you are considered really old...well, not and get away with it! So good for you Sarah and hope the next stage goes well. For those of you who don't know Sarah is going to have a go at Child Health Nursing, if she is accepted on the course, in September meanwhile she is doing all kinds of bits and pieces to a) earn money and b) get different work experiences and to help her decide what she really wants to do in life - as in a career.
Sandra and Rog have been running a little shop in Dorchester, Jordan and Jordan - Caravaning and camping equipment and ...chickens...and er, now biltong...and ice chains for boots...in fact a real Isaac's - for those of you who know/remember Isaac's in Camperdown KwaZulu Natal will remember he had everything in that dusty little Alladin's Cave - even tartan paint and left-hand screwdrivers...
I haven't seen as much of Alec and Jules and the children this year and I look forward to seeing them over Christmas - it is certainly worth checking out my page at the top of this blog entitled Christmas Where You Are to see the photos they sent me - they have changed a lot this year ...I don't remember them looking so 'strange' when I last saw them in the early summer. I think that this year has been difficult for many people and no one has escaped one or other aspect of the economic woes inflicting the whole world this year. Alec and Jules are fine but they have had their share of concern as any family with young children will have this year.
For those of you who know my redoubtable Mother she is well enough at the moment and as feisty as ever but she has had a difficult year. She contracted Pulminonary Fibrosis in the summer and worried us all. She is now using a wheelchair for outings that would prove to be too long and tiring but the complaint is under control by the use of oxygen and steroids. She is a very tough lady. Unfortunately even she has had her share of financial worry as some rotten thief managed to hack her one bank account and clean it out. Amazingly Mum remains fairly philosophical about it but she did have a few choice words about the rotten b@$*@!d..! Quite right too! I think we feel the same about it and the police are investigating - hopefully they are sucessful. Meantime Mum will get up tomorrow and take her little dog Jenny out for a walk round the village - they are an amazing couple.
Here in Wales I am happily settled and would love for YOU to visit me...that's right you! Linda came earlier in the year and it was wonderful to see her - time passed too quickly.
Wales is completely different from England. First they are far more religious - rugby is definitely part of their national worship routine....and they speak a different language...sounds like I am back in South Africa? In a funny sort of way, it feels like that - whatever it is, it suits me and ....
...I am loving the life of being involved with little Leah - now walking/running and do check the photos on the Christmas Where You Are page - she is very sweet and very much her 'own person' now. She is likely to speak Doglish long before she speaks English or Welsh as the loves of her life are the two dogs Occy - Gels and Dave's Golden Lab and JP my finest and best-dog-in-the-world Collie. Gels and Dave are so embracing in their acceptance of me in their family - no we don't live together but I do see an awful lot of them and it's wonderful.
So I look forward to next year...hopefully I will see many of you - even better if it is here in Wales - and now all there is space for is a very big wish to all of you for a Happy Christmas and wonderful 2012 wherever you are in the world ...have a look at the Christmas Where YOU are page ...I think you will find it is great fun ...and thank you to everyone who shared their photos and meaning of Christmas with me...
...Lots of Love
Margie
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