Christmas day is nearly over. Weeks of preparation for the festivities behind us. We were only four this year and Ian reminded us that its the first time in many years that its been that way. We were one more as Matt's recent split from his ex meant he was here and not in Wigan! Matt has tried very hard not to let his unhappiness spoil Christmas for the rest of us. Our day has been quietly enjoyable. Long gone are the days when we would all be up at the crack of dawn, the Children excitingly opening their stockings as early as they could get away with. Father Christmas stopped delivering a couple of years ago, so this morning after a leisurely breakfast we sat down to hand out the presents piled under the tree. We decided that we would stretch out the process, it was fun guessing what was in the parcels and taking pleasure as each of us opened their gifts. We had decided that we wouldn't buy large presents, as is usual with families with youngish adults, there has been need of monetary assistance recently and the need to be financially sensible was necessary. Ian was particularly pleased with the glass teapot/infuser and the lap sang su chan tea that Matt gave to him. Matt was equally delighted with his T shirt from Ian with slogan 'Destined for greatness, just pacing myself'.

Christmas lunch was was served at 4.00pm and was a joint effort between Steve and I, it was jolly nice, but we didn't fit in pudding until an hour ago. Home made Christmas pud with Steve's rum sauce- delicious.

It was the weekend of my fiftieth birthday. It started on Friday evening with a great evening, a Chinese meal with our friends from Lee On Solent at the restaurant in Stubbington. A fun evening and the celebrations just carried on. On Saturday evening we travelled to Romsey where Annie cooked dinner for us & Matt came too. It was a lovely evening.
Sunday began with a rather rushed breakfast in bed and the opening of presents before we rushed to collect Maggie & Cameron and travelled with them and Matt up to London. We walked along the South Bank, where outside we met Linda my friend from Bedford. I had found on the Internet that the 'Frost Festival' would be taking place and lots of stalls and street entertainment was set up between The Globe and The Tate Modern'. The Globe was open with free entry and after looking at their exhibition we were entertained in the theatre, it was fabulous and we joined in the heckling! After the little glimpse, a visit to a whole performance is a definite must.
We met up with Ian and Hazel (Maggie's daughter who had come along in place of Matt's ex).
The highlight and very extravagant part of the day was afternoon tea at Claridges. The table was booked for 3.30 and before we took our place in the restaurant, we ladies went to the loo or should I say lavatory. We deposited our coats with the female attendant, used the loo and after we washed our hands, we were all handed an individual fluffy hand towel!
Claridges looked resplendent in all its Christmas glories, My humble little tree,looks more like a twig in comparison. The hotel was beautifully decorated in art deco style. In the restaurant where tea was served, music was played by a cellist and pianist. We were waited on by two very smart waiters, who service was flawless. Champagne was served with the delicious delicate sandwiches, there were plenty of them and the platters were filled as often as we needed. Unknown to me, Steve had informed the hotel that we were celebrating my birthday, so the musicians struck up 'Happy birthday' as the waiter arrived by my side with a perfect piece of birthday cake with one candle and 'Happy Birthday' piped in chocolate on the plate. perfect scones, pastries and cakes were served. We took a leisurely two hours over tea and left the Hotel feeling very full and satisfied with the wonderful experience, and wondering how well to do Edwardian 's managed to eat dinner on top of tea!
The celebration weren't over and we walked from Regent Street to Somerset House where we were to ice skate at the open air rink. On the way, we stopped and sang Carols around the tree at Trafalgar square.
The skating was fun and then it was time to take our leave, Ian to Sheffield, Linda to Bedford and Hazel to Eastbourne. The rest of us made our weary way to Waterloo to catch the train home.
What a wonderful day it was.

Steve arrived safely back around 9.00pm last night. I thought yesterday was the worst possible weather in which to to be driving to Liverpool. I was wrong, today the winds are blowing up to 80 mph, so I'm glad that guys aren't on the road today.

Matt is home and last night he showed very little sign of the hurt that he's really feeling, his gregarious personality was at the fore. This morning he seemed a little more stressed and this afternoon he has been in his room and I have hardly seen him.

Matthew's return home forced me to have an unexpected clear out to make space for Matt & all his stuff. There is a big bag of 'stuff' to go to the charity shop and I hope the ceiling holds up with all the extra weight in the loft.

Tomorrow I'm going to the optician, I trod on my glasses a few days ago and also I think that I may need to wear glasses for driving. I'm not able to read the speedometer in the car and I don't think poor eyesight will be a good defence if I'm stopped for speeding. My friend Elaine is coming with me so she can give her opinion on my new specs. We will probably mooch around the shops and have coffee & Cake. ( Elaine in centre of photo with Janet on the left and me, during our trip to Spain).

I had a long chat with Ian on MSN this morning, he is spending his last days in Australia and will leave Melbourne on Tuesday, spend a couple of days in Singapore and then will arrive back in the UK on Friday.

Well I don't know yet exactly why Matt wouldn't talk to me yesterday, but I will find out. We had call from our distressed son and Steve is now on his way to Liverpool to bring him home. My heartaches when my kids are hurting.

I'm generally quite easy going and I don't very often swear, but today I'm utterly 'pissed off'. It's younger son that has led me to feel this way. I have tried to be supportive during the last two weeks as Matthew coped with the split from his girlfriend and although I think its the wrong thing to do I have again supported him as he has got back with her. Why would anyone want to reinstate a relationship with someone who has had sex with another and who also spread horrendous lies about you. But if that's what he wants then I will back him. Then why am I so p****d off? Matt contacted us yesterday and said he'd like to come down for a long weekend. Steve and I juggled our day, so that I would be able to go to Southampton Parkway to pick him up! This afternoon Matt sent me a text saying he wouldn't be coming today,but would make it tomorrow. I have sent Matt a text, to which I got no answer and when I saw him on MSN, he told me he didn't want to talk! WHY!

It's Monday morning and we have woken up to a glorious sunshiny day. Yesterday was very stormy, heavy winds and torrential rain all day long. I'm surprised that we didn't have any fences down and that the roof is intact. I didn't in fact go out of the house, not even into the garden. Elaine & Brian had stayed over on Saturday night and left about 11.00am and then it was a quiet day at home. I watched a film, wrapped up Christmas presents and wrote Christmas cards, didn't do very much else and lazily went to bed at bed at 9.00am

This morning I'm expecting my friend Sue to call in, Sue begins a new job in Gosport and is doing a test drive over from Portsmouth, so she will come for a chat and a coffee. I'm hoping she will bring her daughter's wedding photo's. Steve and I didn't make the wedding as it was the day we were going on holiday to Greece.

Sue has just been, we had a long chat, she did bring the photo's, so it was nice to look at them.

I was thinking about walking up to see my Mother, but just telephoned her and as she is not in so I'm not going to go out any where. Would you believe the weather is changing again and its looking very overcast.

I have just chatted online to Ian, he is in the last phase of his trip to Australia and is at a research station in Broken Hill in New South Wales. He sent me a wonderful e -mail overnight, expressing his support for Matt. Ian will be home in 12 days after a stop over in Singapore.

Matthew is going through a really tough time at the moment. He rang me yesterday and was very upset. The split from his girlfriend has been difficult enough, but he has found out that she has been cheating on him, by cheating I assume she has been sleeping with someone else. Matthew is hurt, but the thing he is finding truly devastating is that the girl he loves is spreading lies about him!

How do you help your children through these things, he may be 22 years old and a giant, but I'd like to be able make his pain go away.

It's only 4.00, nearly dark outside, pouring with rain and the wind is blowing wildly. Steve has cycled to work today so I may be called to collect him from work. I have sent him an e mail offering my taxi service, he hasn't replied and secretly I'm hoping he's happy to ride his trusty bike!
Last April we went down to one car for the sake of the planet and our own economy. It seems likely that Steve may have to start doing a bit more travelling with work. The dilemma will be whether we again run a second car.
Tomorrow I'm going to Lymington with two friends, were going to do some Christmas shopping and peruse the local market. While were shopping, chatting and drinking hot chocolate, the guys will be clearing up at the boat yard. I have just baked some cakes for the 'workers' and also the Christmas puddings are steaming. Unbelievably its taken me five days to make them this year! They now have to steam for 10 hours. Tomorrow In evening were going to cook on the raclette at our house, It should be easy as Elaine and Sandy are both contributing to the fare and there won't be too much preparation.
Nothing else planned for the weekend, which is rather nice, perhaps it will be a lazy Sunday.

How do other women manage to work full time? I work half time and today was one of my days off. It started around 7.30. I did some washing, ironing, washed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom's! (His & hers how decadent and I clean both.) I dashed to Asda for the missing ingredient for my Christmas pudding, came back and mixed up the ingredients that I had weighed out last night! All this before my My friend Jane arrived at 10.30 as she had asked me out for coffee. This afternoon I have taken my Mother out to Garston's garden centre or should I say 'Christmas shop'. I picked up a few things, some wrapping paper, a proper advent calender, one without chocolate and it's for me!
In 10 minutes I'm off to 'rainbow's, were celebrating St Andrew's day.

I didn't sleep very well, which is unusual for me. For a long time I have been lucky enough to get 8 hours, I have friends who have difficulty ever getting a good night, so I do count myself fortunate in that respect. I knew within an hour of going to bed that things didn't bode well!
Matt had sent me a message around teatime to say that he and his girlfriend Samantha had split. I can't say that I was wholly surprised as during a recent trip home Matt had told me a few things that had concerned me. Matt wears is heart on his sleeve, as is the saying, so there is no doubt that he was totally in love for the first time and I'm sure that he must be hurt even though he says the relationship ended mutually. I rang Matt and he said he was 'fine', he was staying with Gio his best friend from school who lives now in Liverpool. Matt now has to make new living arrangements. So even at the age of twenty two my kids can be the cause of my sleepless night:).
Yesterday I went Christmas shopping at Gunwarfe Quays, I feel pleased that at last I have made a start. I'm not a keen shopper, so the best bit was the break I took in the Ha Ha bar for hot chocolate. I luxuriated on the squashy sofa for half an hour and read their newspapers, though its much more fun with my friend Janis, when we chat for ages and even have two mugs of hot chocolate!

I left Bedfordshire today after a really relaxing weekend with my friend Linda. On Friday we went and saw Rachel an ex colleague of ours at home with her two children: Emily, a very lively, friendly, four year old and Joshua a some what quieter at 10 months. On Saturday we went out with Shirley who is a friend and also an ex colleague. I was amazed to see how much building is going on in the more rural part of the county. Just a few miles from Clophill, the village we lived in for 16 years a new village is being created by the name of 'Wixams'. It looks to me if its more likely to end up a small town joining up with Bedford! Oh well things don't ever stay the same. Would I go back? No I'm really happy in my Little seaside town, but I miss what it was, the place where we brought up our children from Tots to when they left home.
I have just made a shopping list as tomorrow I plan to go out and get the ingredients to make the Christmas pudding. Yes I know I could buy a really decent one for less in one of the supermarkets, but its one of the traditions of Christmas I love, especially the smell as it is cooking, three hours initial steaming and then an hour on Christmas day.
While with Linda I did buy a few Christmassy bits & pieces, mainly small decorations for the Christmas tree. Steve & I have decided that we would like a new television, so this will be our Christmas present to each other this year. I still haven't any idea what to buy for Ian & Matt. Anyone any ideas?

Matthew rang last night for a chat. This is a rare event, he wanted to tell me that he and his girlfriend Samantha are looking for a flat as they have decided to move from Samantha's mother's house. I think its a good thing, but his second piece of news pleased me more. Matt has decided to update his CV in order to find another job. Not too much jubilation until it really does happen though!
Not too much has been happening this week, although I did enjoy my day out with Annie on Monday.
I have worked this morning as I'm taking Friday off as I'm going up to Bedfordshire to stay with my friend Linda. I'm looking forward to seeing her and were planning to meet up with other friends: Rachel and Shirley.
Steve is out with colleagues for a meal this evening, I'm not sure if its an early Christmas thing or not. I will spend the evening luxuriating in a bubble bath and spend the evening watching television. Firstly I will drive Steve into Fareham, but he will have to get a taxi for his journey home as I will have gone to bed before midnight.
It's Rainbows first, a sponsored sing for children in need. I don't know if I'm just miserable, but I hate the whole children in need campaign/programme. As you know I really like children, but I really detest the whole television thing. I usually listen to Terry Wogan on the radio, but have to turn it off in the week leading up to the event, (probably does me good to listen to radio 4 for a change) and I certainly didn't watch the extravaganza on the television on the Friday evening.
Saying this I know they raised at least 19 million pounds.

We had a very pleasant weekend visiting Rebecca, Simon & Maisie. Maisie will be one year old this week and this was probably the 4th time we have seen her. We arrived on Saturday at noon and after lunch we were bundled out of the house with the little one while her Mummy & Daddy had a sleep! We didn't mind and it was what we had expected. We had a walk along the sea path from Chalkwell to Leigh, where we called in to see Dot. Dot is Steve's aunt, her brother was Steve's father and she is well loved and respected, our boys love her and so do all her other great nieces and nephews. Maisie obviously loves her too. Despite being nearly 80, Dot is fit and active, when the boys were younger they enjoyed holidays with her, Maisie enjoys a walk weekly with Dot, although as she says she doesn't do 'nappies'. At our tri annual Christmas holidays Dot plays a pivotal role.

We drove home last night,through Kent & Surrey it was snowing quite heavily, by the time we got into Hampshire the snow had turned to sleety rain.

Today has been a really nice day with Annie. We started the day at her house with coffee then out to Sarisbury Green where we had lunch at the 'Lulworth Cafe' by the Hamble. the food was delicious and we chatted for hours.

On the news today was the news of a Russian woman who has just given birth to quintuplets. It will be a few months and many hurdles to cross before the parents are able to take their family back home to Russia. Today at clinic I saw a Mother with two year old identical twin girls. I was surprised to hear that these twins had two older siblings, another set of identical twin girls. My Mother's comments would be 'oh poor woman', she will still say how hard it was bringing up twins in their first couple of years!

I have come home from work feeling shattered. This morning I had my appraisal which took about two hours. It was very positive. I talked to Steve about it, the difference between working for a corporate company as he does and being employed by the NHS is that he would get a pay rise for exceeding expectations, but I won't get anything apart from job satisfaction! Our very good manager has just had to reapply for her job, she is the best I have had in NHS. The interview was successful and she has been told she has a job, but it might not necessarily be the one she's been doing, she could be relocated to another area of Hampshire.

Steve has come home from work with a headache and has gone for a lie down. I have stuck some jacket potato's in the oven along with some salmon fillets cooking in foil parcels along with some veg, very simple, delicious and so easy. I sometimes find it so hard to decide what to have for dinner each evening, Steve tends to leave it up to me, so its simplicity on work days.

Ian has just e mailed to say that instead of coming home on the 21st December from Sheffield, he won't be coming home until Christmas Eve as he has been invited to a school friends wedding. He suddenly seems to have reached the stage where his friends are settling down.

Today its been the first really cold day, we woke up to a frost and although it didn't get much warmer all day, it was a bright sunshiny day.
The evening spent at the sailing club on Saturday went really well. An enjoyable time with friends, a surprisingly delicious meal and then the prize giving. As predicted Steve picked up half a dozen prizes, which he was pleased with.
Sunday was a quiet day as Steve went to Dorset with a friend who was buying a boat. I had a very lazy time at home, reading, doing things on the computer and not much else.
Today I have been to meet two old school friends for coffee in Fareham. I went to primary school with Teresa and Lorraine, we are all nearing fifty, I hope like them I'm wearing as well as they both are.
Matt has finally been in touch, if he hears something he doesn't like, he freezes me out for a while, I suppose with maturity this may change. Ian keeps in contact from Australia, he e mails and I read his blog on facebook.
Tomorrow I have my appraisal at work. I have done the paperwork and am ready for it. I don't feel worried about it, so should I be worried that I'm not worried!

I have just been having fun perusing the 'mothercare' website. it is our newest nieces first birthday later this month. I have checked with her mum that its OK and I'm buying her a baby doll. Having had two sons I missed out on the girlie things, so now I can buy these things for Maisie. I have no doubt that this little girl will probably end up being an all action kind of girl as is her Mother, but for now I can indulge the feminine side of this little girl.

Steve and I went shopping today and while he packed the shopping in the boot of the car I took the trolley back to retrieve my £1.00 deposit. I had managed to get the coin out of the little slot and I was making my way back to the car, I fell over. It is so embarrassing as people came from everywhere to see if I was OK. A grazed knee and a cut hand and a big dent in my pride.
Were out tonight at the prize giving dinner at the sailing club. Steve will be bringing some prizes home, I'm sure. Jan & Stu will be staying over.

Ian is in Perth in Australia and has spent the week at a conference, he's a little bit disappointed that his evenings have been as he puts it 'socially dry'. Ian is meeting with a friend from primary school tomorrow and has an invitation to go sailing with another friend next week, so it sounds like things are getting better.
Another week has gone whizzing by, an enjoyable one at work, with this morning spent doing assessment reviews on gorgeous little two year olds. All are having temper tantrums, asserting their Independence and all the Mother's finding it hard to cope with. Its amazing when its not your own child how you can view it so differently!
The weekend ahead will be busy with the prize giving dinner at the sailing club, Steve is at present polishing his silver trophies that he has to give back. I'm hoping that he might win one in particular back. Last year it made a really nice Christmas decoration with tinsel and lights!
Well its into the kitchen to prepare dinner, crepes with bacon and eggs!

I'm in my second favourite place, stretched out on the sofa. I have been getting some of the family photos into order. Steve has been scanning them into the computer and I have found a scrapblogging site. Maggie is a scrapbooker, but if I'm honest I can't be bothered to spend hours with glue and scissors, I would find it so tedious . Putting them into an album on the computer is much easier. I will be able to to pass the link onto friends and family. Here's one for now Janis!

All around were being reminded that in not too many weeks it will be Christmas. At the salon where I have my hair cut I was advised this morning by Leanne that I needed to book an appointment if I wanted my hair cut before Christmas. In the supermarket the decorations were festooned everywhere and Christmas goodies had been crammed in everywhere! I came home feeling a bit panicky as I haven't yet started my preparations! Then I put things into perspective. I have never had a Christmas where I haven't been ready. This year it will be a relatively quiet one, Ian will be home from Australia, but Matt will be celebrating with Samantha and her family. My Mother is going to Las Vegas for a holiday at her friend Val's home, which is wonderful for her. She only booked it on Monday and by yesterday she had got her dollars! Well they are at a terrific rate for the Brit going to the USA, so who could blame her.

Second instalment today. I have just returned from taking Matt to the railway station. It was great to have him home, but it didn't end well. I'm expected not to have any opinions about his lack of ambition. I'm unable to keep my mouth shut but I couldn't and ended up telling him what I think! My language was not polite!

Matthew's visit home has been terrific, a busy few days which I have enjoyed immensely. Yesterday Matt met his Aunt and cousin for the first time. I collected Annie from Fareham station and brought her back here at about 4. Phil came over with Christo at 7. Matt and Annie talked and talked and talked together, I hardly got a word in edge ways:). Christo and Matt became acquainted over dinner and there was even more talk, lots of laughter. Matt talked about their Grandfather and Christo spoke of his one meeting with him as a small child. After dinner we walked across the road to watch the firework display on the beach. It was an amazing spectacle organised by local businesses in Lee.
Back home, over coffee and fuelled by a 'little' wine Matt and Christo debated and put the world to rights! Oh how their Grandfather would have enjoyed this.
Ironically their Aunt is visiting this weekend and staying at my Mother's flat along the seafront. Denise had travelled south to attend a party last night. I would have invited her to call in before she went out, if I could have been certain that she wouldn't have spoilt a wonderful evening, but actually I know she wouldn't have come even if she had been invited.

Its only 6.00pm and I have been up for half an hour and awake for so much longer. When I did sleep, it was fretful and I had very disturbed dreams. I have been sleeping really well of late and think perhaps that having Matt at home has unsettled me. I'm delighted that he is here, but I am anxious about him!
Well its going to be a long day ahead, even with sleep there is a lot to fit in. Shopping for Fridays supper with Annie, Christo and Phil. I'm not brilliant at entertaining, I just don't do 'fancy' stuff. i have opted for a Shepherd's pie, it sounds really boring, but this one is made with using meat from a slow roasted leg of lamb, marinated in honey, sweet sherry and Worcestershire sauce, the mash has butter and creme fraishe, so a bit indulgent. I like to do things ahead of time, so this will be followed by baked peaches with amaretto cream! I will be off to Waitrose for opening time at 8.30 and back before the prodigal is even awake.
The rest of the days itinerary is to take Matt and his Grandmother out for lunch, God knows what she will say about the piercing!! I have a dental appointment at 3, rainbows at 4.30, Home for 6. Matt has requested his favorite stew and dumplings for dinner and I like to please my kids, but I'm not sure when I'm going to fit this in! it will be back to work tomorrow for a rest.

Matt is home for a few days, hooray. He is looking really well, despite having had a piercing in an eyebrow, ouch! I have to try and keep my opinions to myself, not just on the metal but also about his future plans or lack of them. If I do so much as mention a career path, I will be accussed of nagging! How I wish that this bright intelligent son of mine had focus. It is only because I love him that i want him to reach his potential!!

Six days on the Costa Brava. We had a great time staying in a wonderful villa in Sierra Brava. Elaine and Brian had invited us to join them along with Stuart and Jan. All are new friends, made when we joined the sailing club in 2004, who would have thought that the decision to move south would have given us the opportunity to make new friends who have in a short time enriched our lives! Our days were spent visiting pretty little towns, Cathedrals, beaches and markets. The evenings were spent, some eating in restaurants and the rest in the villa. We cooked together, drank plenty and laughed more than I can remember laughing in a very long time! Each evening we played cards or 'articulate', each evening the competition became fiercer, the guys just didn't like to be beaten and they were, spectacularly!
Its back to work tomorrow and in the evening Matt is arriving home for a few days and I'm feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Were off to Sunny Spain.......la lala Espana!

Second instalment today? I have just spent a very lazy afternoon watching television for nearly 4 hours. TCM show some really old films and today it was 'Gone With The Wind'. I had never seen this epic before. What an amazing novel written by Margaret Mitchell in 1929 and made into the film in 1939, I enjoyed every minute of it and no apologies for not doing something more industrious with my time. "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn".

Another week has just flown by and although the shops are telling me Christmas is on its way, I find it hard to believe. Yes! its getting colder, but the autumn sunshine is warm. The shops are full of Christmas stuff, but I'm packing for a holiday in the late Spanish sunshine. Yes another holiday, for many reasons I feel guilty at taking a second holiday in a month. I'm not sure why and friends and family say there is no need. I think feeling guilty is a deep rooted thing in my personality
On Friday I went over to see Annie and we sat in her little conservatory with the sun streaming in. It was an enjoyable couple of hours spent chatting, talking about issues that affect us both and wider ones. I called in on my Mother on the way home and once again I am made to feel guilty. Mum cannot understand Annie's need to know her family or why I am building a relationship with my sister. I firmly believe that had Dad had been alive he would have been pleased. There has been an issue with Denise, who does not want anything to do with Annie, but then she doesn't do anything to maintain a relationship with her twin sister. Denise had said she didn't want her children to know of this other strand to their family! Annie felt really strongly that they should have the information and after a lot of thought we decided that the best way to approach this was to ask Ian to help. Ian agreed readily that at sometime he would speak to Jonathan. Ian would undoubtedly deliver such news with sensitivity
Ian had spoken to his Grandmother and he said that she was unhappy with his view on the family situation, but he said that it wouldn't stop him talking to Jonathan at sometime. Well when I saw my Mother she informed me that she herself had initiated a conversation with Johnathan last week, but he'd said he had already known for a long time!!!!
It was a busy week at work, my appraisal should have happened on Thursday but my line manager went off sick, so it will now wait until after my holiday.
Last night was the AGM at the sailing club. This was another political minefield which exploded nicely after the vote. If you have ever been involved in a committee you will know how difficult it is to get people to volunteer. Well last night the club was in an enviable position of having ten people put them selves forward, when the Constitution states that the management committee should be made up of the officers of the club plus eight others. Oh dear, so we had to have a vote. A ballot was held and when all the papers counted the successful members names were read out! Two people were disappointed, one of them a very elderly lady who had been a committee member for years and the second a lady who's husband had been elected to serve a second term on the sailing committee. Well the latter's not so better half took umbrage that his wife had been thwarted and duly resigned from the sailing committee. Personally, I think any club is better off without people like this, though I did vote her.

Another weekend over and unusually mine isn't extended as I have to work tomorrow and attend an 'away day'. It's a day away from our usual base, no phones to answer and clients to see. Instead we will be busy working on policies and team matters, sounds exciting!
Tomorrow I would certainly benefit from a day off. Yesterday it was the day of the 'Rainbow 'Sleepover'! Along with the other adult helpers I arrived at midday to get the scout hut ready for the onslaught of the very excited 5-7 year old girls. We decorated for the theme of 'under the sea', put together little camp beds and made the hall home from home!
My responsibility was that of first aider, so I checked the first aid box out, made up the sick bed, perused my St John's manual and prayed that there wouldn't be any more than a scratched knee to tend too. Yes, I have a first aid certificate, but suddenly my skills may be called on at any time during the next 24 hours and I doubt my ability.
The girls arrived at 2.00pm and right away into a frenzied timetabled craft activities which Sunflower and Primrose had arranged between them. A few little girls who for various reasons had chosen not to 'sleep', arrived at 3.00pm for activities and tea. It was an extremely busy afternoon with girls moving on from one themed activity to another. We had visitors who arrived and watched, some joining in, one staying for tea. They were trainers, and testers and county presidents. All very important people who we had to impress for Bluebell who was under scrutiny. Karen aka Bluebell passed her tests with flying colours and is now qualified to take members of the Guiding movement on more sleepovers or pack holidays.
Our cooks were two very experienced Guiders: Bizzie Lizzie who I had only met twice before and on both occasions she'd frightened me to death!!! Her cooking went down well and I was very impressed how the girls tucked into her pasta, chicken and salad. At bedtime BL's other talent came to light, that of a wonderful story teller. I think undoubtedly she missed her vocation and should be in pantomime!
The Rainbows were very excited at the prospect of going to bed and couldn't wait to don their pj's and climb into their assortment of multi coloured sleeping bags. At 8.30 the lights were lowered and then the fun began, excited chatter could be heard from the attached room, torch lights shone and little girls giggled. It was 11.30 before the last little girl had fallen asleep, most of them making endless trips to the loo. Us adults had sat playing cards and taking turns to check the children. We eventually donned our own bed wear and climbed into bed. I inserted my ear plugs and despite my bed being closest to the door I didn't hear a thing until 7.30 when the rainbows began to waken. It wasn't so quiet a night for two of my colleagues who had been woken twice in the early hours by a Rainbow who'd had a little accident!!!!

Today it has been a glorious autumn day, a little chilly to start, but blossoming into a day of beautiful sunshine. As I attended a course on Monday today I had a day off. I started by changing the bed and getting the washing out on the line. Jane picked me up a little after 10.00am and we headed to one of the many garden centres. We wandered around and shopped a bit, before having coffee outside on terrace. Jane bought three fish for her outside pond, taking pity on a large (sort of) gold fish who was deformed with a large ulcer on its head!
After returning home I decided to go into Gosport to see if I could get Steve's sailing trophies engraved, a bit late really as its only a week until they go back. Well no luck as everywhere I tried gave me the same negative answer, because of the size and shape. Steve is a bit disappointed but I have one more place to try in Fareham.

Gosh what a busy day. After doing a few chores around the house and returning home after a walk to the High Street I returned home to tackle some 'work' stuff. What is it? It's the preparation for my appraisal next week. Its supposed to take a couple of hours to complete! Hmm! the three hours spent on the computer today, added to a couple of hours the other evening and I'm still not finished. Is it that I am so slow or is it a very complicated system. Well, I had to spend time trawling through a large tome, matching the job I do with level indicators and then giving evidence to back up the level that I say I'm working too. It doesn't matter that I am working for somethings at a higher level than my job is matched too. It won't make any difference, I won't get a pay rise for working hard! I think its a very complicated system , but then I do work for the NHS.

It was rainbows tonight and as I have missed three meetings, I really wanted to be there. This Saturday will be the 'sleep over', that I know is a complete fallacy as I know these fifteen little girls won't be sleeping much. I am not looking forward to it, but I know the Rainbows are really exited.

This evening Steve has been down loading photos from my Mother's photo album. I have sent Annie a couple of photo's of Dad, but as he was usually behind the camera there aren't many of him in isolation. I have also sent an e mail to My sister Denise asking if she would like to receive them via e- mail or CD

Yesterday turned into a very pleasant autumn day, although we didn't do much with it. Steve did tidy the garage in order to fit the car back in before the winter sets in. Ian had man flu, so he and I spent the afternoong playing scrabble, he thrashed me in both games, but never mind, there will always be another match!
Ian's grandmother came for dinner and we all enjoyed roast pork and apple sauce followed by rhubarb custard.

Its Sunday morning heading for 10.00am, I have been up for a couple of hours, Steve and Ian are both in bed. I have been listening to radio 2 as I prepared the veg for dinner this evening. As Ian is home I'm planning a roast and have invited my Mother to join us. I'm not sure what we will do today, its just nice to have a son at home and however he wants to spend his day is fine.
Yesterday evening I received my RYA level 1 certificate at the prize giving. Steve received an esteemed trophy for his efforts as an instructor and it was truly deserved, although i had to collect it on his behalf as he had popped out to pick Ian up from the Gosport Ferry.

Ian home on a flying visit and he has just shown me how to publish a picture, so here it is from our Greek holiday.

I have had two days back at work with a day off in between and would you believe that I'm absolutely shattered, really strange since I have just had a two week holiday:). Its been nice getting back into the swing of things at work, in fact its hard to believe that I have ever been away. It doesn't take very long at all before one is back into routine.
Late yesterday afternoon Steve and I eventually got to take our balloon flight. It was the 8th attempt and it was well worth the wait. We began our flight at West Meon and finished in a field on the outskirts of a village north of Petersfield. There were fifteen passengers and the pilot aboard. The pilot was very skillful and he handled the balloon with expertise, taking us higher or lower as was needed. At times it was very noisy with the burners lit and very peaceful when they were turned off and we travelled along silently through the air. As landing approached we all took up our landing positions and waited with trepidation for the bump. It was a little bumpy and yes the basket did tip over, but we were all safely down. We all helped to pack the balloon away and finished with a glass of Champagne!

Its the 1st October, its raining and the leaves are beginning to turn into their autumnal shades and leave the trees. I am up early and am in the midst of the mountain of washing which came back from Greece with us. Steve is up and getting ready for work, which I don't have until tomorrow.
Our holiday was an enjoyable experience, sailing the boat was fun, though tremendously hard physical work. I have humongous bruises which were probably gained when moving about the boat, getting fenders in and out and mooring ropes ready as we we came into port. It took a few days for Steve and I to get the hang of things, he expected me to be able to do things at a drop of a hat. I'm not a 'natural' sailor and Steve found this hard, but after a few altercations we worked things out and I was given plenty of clear instructions, with plenty of time to carry out the task!
There were twelve boats in our flotilla and a lead crew boat. Our skipper was a 26 year old New Zealander named 'Clarkie'. This guy worked his socks off, was calm and encouraging, he was there to help us into the bay at the end of the evening, he checked lines and anchors and on the odd stormy night he would be out of bed making sure all our boats were secure. Clarkie is returning at the end of the season to work on his family sheep farm having spent a few years working for sailing holidays. I'm sure Mr & Mrs Clarke are aware of there sons immense talents and I'm sure are very proud of him and they jolly well should be. Dan the young engineer was always cheerful, also worked very hard and even harder if the "All Blacks" were playing and he wanted to get to a bar and watch the match, another thoroughly nice young New Zealander. The third member of the crew was also from New Zealand. Jules, was the hostie, a very energetic young lady whose job it was to keep us happy, inform of us of the amenities or lack of them at each port! It wasn't the girls fault when the sanitation was primitive or the only super market had closed its doors early for the season . Poor Jules took the stick when Olga the proprietress of the tavern with showers in our last bay threw a 'hissy fit' and wouldn't allow us to use her showers! Well, we had showers on the back of our boats, so out came the shower gel and we showered alfresco. A few of our fellow sailors were disappointed that there wasn't enough social events organised, speaking for myself the three group meals that were organised were very nice indeed. I didn't want anymore activities as I didn't want a holiday camp culture!
We'd gone on the holiday with Sandy and Paul. They had one boat and we had another. Paul being a qualified yacht master was a real asset, his expertise helped us along the way. We went free sailing with them and his knowledge, confidence and patience was really appreciated. Most days we anchored in quiet little bays, had lunch and swam off the boat. I discovered at nearly fifty that I can swim more than the 25yards that a certificate gained at the age of 11 says I can. For the first time ever I swam in deep water, jumped in from the boat and attempted to snorkel. I suddenly gained confidence in water which I'd never had before! There were other firsts including swimming naked, which felt very liberating.
We got along well with everyone in the flotilla, especially Mary and Chris a lovely Irish couple who live in Oxford. We spent most evenings eating in Taverna's, Chris and Mary's great company really enriched our holiday. I do hope that we get to see them again sometime.

Today we have returned from our holiday, there is so much to tell about our Greek adventure that I shall wait until tomorrow.
Today I want to speak about Ian. Ian had his second paper published last week and today Steve and I listened to a recording of an interview on the world service science programme in which Ian was interviewed. Wow, aren't we proud parents. Today Ian tells me he has been to London to join in a protest against the government in Burma! Wow,Wow, doubly proud.

The day has come, well nearly, were going up to the airport today and flying out to Preveza in Greece early tomorrow morning. Today I was awake at 7.ooam , its now heading to 11.00. I have hoovered out the car and taken it to the car wash, Steve would be quite happy for us to travel in a dirty car, but as Sandy and Paul are coming with us I thought otherwise!! I have filled up the petrol tank and finally I visited my Mother as she will have her 77th birthday when we are away, she was very pleased with the flowers that I took her. Jonathan my nephew will visit his Grandmother on her birthday.
Cheerio for a couple of weeks.

Yesterday was my last working day for a couple of weeks. This holiday has been a long time coming, but then that's our choice as we really like to take our break at the end of the summer.
Last night as I was packing some more things into my new holdall when I noticed a split in the bag. It was a new bag and although not costly it was really annoying to find that its not fit for purpose. Today Steve is going to dash out to return the bag and get another one to replace it. Meanwhile all of the things I am taking away are spread across the floor of our small bedroom, so I'm not as ready as I would like to be.
Our holiday euros have just arrived by 'special delivery'! they were supposed to be delivered by by 1.00pm, but were in fact delivered just before 2.00pm! The special delivery turned out to be the usual post delivery by postman on his bike, I though at least it would be someone in a van like 'Pats'. I had an appointment with Charlotte for a pedicure this morning at 11, so Steve had to come home from work to sit in and wait for that delivery. I'm really pleased with my pink toenails, I'm sure they will look even nicer with a tan.
Tonight we are going to eat at the sailing club, as usual were not very impressed with menu,but have decided to go as its really nice to meet up with our friends and nice not to have to cook.
Well I must telephone Ian and Matt and have a chat before we go.

Water, water every where, in fact flowing out of the kitchen cupboard and all over the floor. the pipe to the outlet for the washing machine had worked its way off and the rinse water was emptying into the cupboard. It was a real pain as I had so much planned and I had to spend a lot of time clearing the food out of the cupboard, baling out and washing the kitchen floor. Oh well best made plans. It was then a trip to have my eyebrows etc waxed, so I'm now nearly ready for my holiday. One more day at work for me.

Today is the 11th September and the 50th birthday of a very special friend. Happy Birthday Janis. I hope you enjoy your celebrations. I have known Jan since we were 4 year olds. We started primary school together and when Janis and her family moved to Pirbright our friendship continued. Its seems inconceivable that Janis has reached her half century and I won't be far behind!

Its been another glorious day today, a work one for me, a couple of visits and a busy clinic. An enjoyable day, but I am counting the work days until our holiday. I'm beginning to get excited about sailing in the Ionian islands. Will I enjoy sailing for a whole fortnight. Will the Captain and his First Mate fall out if too many orders are given? I had been looking in the local book shop for a copy of 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin with no luck. Our local library is closed, so I thought I'd have to wait until i came back. But when i went into the staff room there was a copy on the shelf!

Thankfully today I was feeling a lot better than I did yesterday. However I had a slow start and headed over to Annie's for 10.00am. Our plan for the day was to go to Botley road cemetery to look at the Bailey's grave's. Our paternal grandmother was a Bailey and we have traced her family to Middlebridge Street in Romsey.There are many Bailey's to be found and with a plan from the council we orientated our way round. We found the grave of Marcianna, who we know came to Romsey from Gibraltar to marry a Sea Captain. Its unlikely that she is a relative, I think perhaps the unmarked graves of Bailey's that we found are far more likely to be our descendants. As I suppose would be expected, it was a quiet and peaceful place.
Having eaten very frugally yesterday, by lunchtime I was famished. We went at Christo's recommendation to the 'Casa Bodega' a Mediterranean restaurant in what had formally been a public house. We had a delicious lunch in the garden with the River Test running through it. The lunch menu was varied and it was so hard to choose which of the dishes to try. For the main course Annie and I both chose the fishcakes which were scrumptious.
Our day together ended with a quick trip to Waitrose.
As planned on the way home, I called in at M&S and Sainsbury's to pick up the last few things I need for my holiday at the end of the week.

Last night we had a very nice evening with Maggie and Cameron, we ate very tasty Indian food that they had prepared for us. I drove home as I hadn't had any alcohol. Unfortunately I spent most of the night in the bathroom. In no way do I blame our hosts. Today I had planned to be preparing for our holiday, last minute shopping and more packing. Instead I have spent the day between sofa and bed. Steve has been very busy throughout the day, has shopped and carried out some jobs in the house and garden. He did find some excuse to go over to the boathouse, but also he found time to call on my Mother as she needed her photo taken for her bus pass. Tomorrow I'm going over to Romsey to spend the day with Annie, we are going to the cemetery to find some of our ancestors!

This morning I took part in my last sailing lesson this year. For others they will continue until the end of September, but I will miss out as I will be on holiday from next Saturday.
This morning I was sailing with Paul and Brian who are both novices like me. We were being instructed by Stuart in his boat, known 'locally' as the QE2. This is because it is a very large dinghy and as Stuart had told us on many occaisions very hard to capsize. This morning's lesson we were practising jybing and tacking and the culmination was to be for us to sail a trianular course without our instructor present. The sailing was going very well indeed, Stu is a very calm patient teacher. we were all very happy in our boat, telling jokes and hearing of Paul's reason for growing his beard: he is playing the inn keeper in Tosaca's 'Fiddler On The Roof'. Brian and I had taken the helm and it was Paul's turn, he was doing well, but unfortunatly made a tactical error and in slow motion the boat capsized and we all ended up bobbing about in the water!

A beautiful day, I was busy this morning, washing, ironing and house cleaning. Steve and I should have been on our balloon ride, but true to form it was cancelled and yes again for the weather. At 10.30pm yesterday a message was on the company's answerphone telling us that the flight would be cancelled as it was due to be 'misty' in the Meon Valley! I'm just begining to wonder if this company are bona fide and have any flights taken pace this year!

I spent an hour this afternon sitting on the beach reading a book before going to the hairdressers. it was glorious in the sunshine.

Today's news that Kate McCann has been declared a suspect in the dissapearance of her daughter is very hard to comprehend. I don't believe that she or her husband had anything to do with Madeleine's kidnap. Lets hope that this nightmare for the family is soon ended.

How privileged I am to do a job that I love. Today I met the parents of an adorable eighteen month old. This little boy was bight, active, had a large vocabulary and having temper tantrums! 9o% of the time he was the most adorable little fellow! When I left it was good to feel that his parents were reassured that they have a 'normal' little boy. How I wished that somebody had been there to do the same for me. This little guy reminded me so much of Ian at that age and yes there were tears along the way, but I'm certain this family will be as proud of their son as I am of mine.
I'm waiting to find out if tomorrow morning were to get up at 5.00am to have the long awaited balloon flight. Its over a year since we won the trip and hopefully it will be lucky 7th time.
This weekend we need to be getting ourselves sorted for going on holiday, already I can feel the time evaporating. We have had invitations out for meals for the next three evenings, I'm not complaining, life is full.
On Monday I'm going with Annie to the cemetery to look for the graves of some Bailey ancestors, I'm not sure what or whom we will find, its quite a common name, how will we know if they are our Grandmothers family. Now I'm watching Natasha Kaplinsky as she traces her ancestors in 'Who do you think you are, then it will be an early night in perpetration for tomorrows adventure.

Gosh, this is becoming a habit, though shortly there will be a gap of more than two weeks in my blog. I have had a very "bitty" day. I agreed to work a half day to cover a clinic in Gosport, though in order to attend rainbows, my half day started at 11.30. This morning I had a dental appointment which proved to be painless, I don't need any treatment but it has been advised I see the hygienist for a polish. I have made the appointment, though its not until early October. I have entered it into my calender. It doesn't seem very long ago that I was able to operate without a diary, now I have to make a note of absolutely everything that I have to do!
It was the first rainbow meeting of the term and all the little girls were very excited to be back, telling of their holidays and their new teachers at school. Next month a 'sleepover' has been arranged. I'm sure that the name is a euphemism as I can't imagine the rainbows getting much sleep. As the holder of a first aid certificate I have been asked to help out. Why am I doing it: because Adrianne asked me and because I had a wonderful time being a Brownie. The highlight of the year was pack holiday, a whole week away sleeping on a a camp bed at Colbury memorial hall. My six was the 'Pixie's' and Mrs Snook was Brown Owl of the 3rd Drayton pack. The only negative thing i can remember was that I was a very clumsy child and never mastered walking across the church hall on flowerpots, which meant I was unable to 'fly' up to Guide and had to walk instead.
This evening I'm going to telephone both sons and finish reading my book.

Its 6.00pm after a day at work. A very busy clinic, enjoyable though, dispensing advice and making a fuss of lots of little ones. A last visit in the afternoon was close to the surgery so I was able to walk there in the sunshine and after I made my way back along the seafront and stopped at the Bluebird Cafe and bought myself an ice cream. Tonight I have no plans, Steve has had to go back to work, so dinner has been put on hold, well not really because I haven't even started it yet and I'm only planning easy pasta. If its good for Nigella, then its good enough for me.
Tomorrow I am working a half day which is unusual for a Wednesday. It will start with a trip to the dentist and finish with the first Rainbow meeting of the school year.

September has arrived all too soon, it signals the end of summer. Most people will say it was a terrible one, due to the weather. Well it did rain excessively, but there were some very nice days. For me it was a lovely summer. Work continued well, part time as it is, allowing me time for other things. Meetings with friends and family.
In August a year past since I first met my sister Annie. Its been an incredible year, with lots of time spent getting to know each other. As in most families that have been separated there have been many issues to work through. I am very happy to have a sister in my life with whom I can have a relationship. I know that our father, had he been alive would have been very pleased as well. Its not all Rosie, as sadly not everyone feels the same way.
This is the summer that I eventually faced my fear of the water and learned to sail. I hear Janis say "but you were a sea ranger". That is true and as a teenager most Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons I could be found at Whale Island rowing a boat or in a canoe. Occasionally we sailed, but even then I found it quite terrifying. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and recognise that I have a lot left to learn, so next summer I will enrol on the next course.
Summer is not quite over and in less than two weeks, along with our friends, Sandy and Paul we will be heading out to Greece for a sailing holiday. This time it will be big boat sailing and Steve and I will have our own boat to sail and live on. Fortunately Steve has experience of sailing bigger boats and I have every faith in him. I'm looking forward to a relaxing time as we sail the Ionian islands, a different port each night, evenings spent in different tavernas.
The men from Virgin media, have just left having repaired and hopefully mended the cable which keeps us in communication. We have intermittently been without there three services since the Gardener who was turning our front garden into an 'easy maintenance' one, cut through the cable!
As they have gone, I'm now free to do other things, I think it will be a walk along the beach.

Can it really be more than three weeks since I made an entry here. I'm not like Janis or Annie who write reguarly, with me its far more sporadic.

We have just had a wonderful bank holiday weekend. The weather was glorious, not too hot, just very pleasant. Our friends Elaine and Brian came for dinner on Saturday evening, we cooked on the raclette, we drank Champagne and had a very enjoyable evening. Since knowing Elaine and Brian we seemed to have adopted their habit of drinking Champagne at every opportunity:).

On Saturday afternoon the culmination of my sailing course was the 'Ladies Race'. I was at the helm and Steve was my crew, I don't think letting me 'drive' his boat was an easy thing for Steve to do. However we finished the race, boat in tack, unscathed and unplaced! After weeks of sailing lessons, I couldn't have taken the helm with out Steve's presence, advising, guiding and telling me what do! Were even talking about doing it again next year, but will need much more practise.

We finished off the weekend with a barbecue on the beach, friends, good food and more Champagne. Jane had cooked and prepared so much food, while the rest of us just brought along what had been agreed. The evening finished with coffee at our house as we are the closest to the beach.

It's early on Saturday evening, I'm laying on the settee with my laptop and Steve is in the kitchen cooking dinner. Steve usually cooks on a Saturday evening and although its not 'Cordon Bleu' its always nice to not have to do it myself. Tonight its a very quick pasta dish which I'm sure will be delicious. Its been another glorious day. This morning it was sailing, the last of the lessons until September. Although there was very little wind, it was a great morning to be on the sea. I have gained in confidence and wasn't even phased when I jumped off the boat a little too early into deep water. I'm a poor swimmer, but wearing my 'girlie pink' buoyancy aid gives me such a confidence and the sea was so warm! This afternoon I have been on 'tea duty'. The sailing club is in some respect stuck in the dark ages, it is only the woman who do the tea duty and while some refuse as a principle not to take on the task, I take my turn and have to admit its very grudgingly!

The news today tells of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, its a hundred days since the little girl went missing. The Portuguese Police have today said that they believe she may have been murdered. How her parent manage to carry on with life day to day is remarkable. Sadly it hard to believe that their darling daughter will ever be returned to them.

Wow, what a beautiful day yesterday, the hottest since April! Having arrived back from holiday the day before I had a ton of washing to dry and it was just the day. As if I didn't have enough to do, I stripped off the bed and laundered the sheets etc. I even put the same ones back on the bed last night and one of my small pleasures is that lovely smell of sheets that have been dried on the line! (how sad). It was lovely to have a day at home, I didn't do much else, spent some time sitting in the garden with a book, made some garlic bread as we had invited Paul and Sandy to join us for a barbecue. Our pleasant evening ended quite early as Steve and our guests had to be up for work on Monday:). I however could have had a lay in this morning, but I was up with the lark. I have done more washing, I tend to leave guest beds until I know that friends who have only slept in the sheets for one day aren't coming back, thus saving myself extra work. This morning and as the sun is shining again I decided to take advantage of a good drying day. I have spent quite a bit of time ironing and cleaning , my Tesco delivery arrived, I can't quite understand how I managed to order just one mushroom. I'm not going anywhere to day until I go across the road for my aqua aerobics class. Sometimes I just like being here all by myself.

It's back home after a week in beautiful Abersoch in North Wales. The scenery was truly breathtaking and we were blessed with lovely weather, warm enough to spend sometime on the beach and to swim in the sea. The reason for the trip to Wales was so that Steve and his crew Tim could take part in the Laser 2000 national sailing championships. At the same time of the 2000 nationals the Laser 4000 nationals were taking place. Sadly one of the boats in this group was involved in a tragic accident and one of the crew drowned! This obviously had a depressing effect on the rest of the competitors, but the event did continue. I'm sure that it was the right thing to do and that the sailor would have wanted the races to go ahead. The dead man was 48, the same age as Steve and I'm sure just as keen on his sport as Steve. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
Steve and Tim went on to win second prize in the Silver fleet, well done to them both.
We stayed in a very small cottage with Jane and Tim, it was well equipped and situated in the middle of town, backing onto a small picturesque harbour. The only drawback was that there was a pub right opposite and so it was a mite noisy, though I invested in my first pair of ear plugs and slept very soundly after the first night.
I tried to walk most mornings along the beautiful coastline, the beach was empty apart from the occasional dog walker, the miles of sand were such a contrast to the rough broken cobbles of Lee On Solent.
Jane and I ventured out during the week, we visited little towns such as Pwelli and Cricieith where we climbed up to the top of the castle to see the spectacular views of the LIyn peninsular.
Wednesday was day off from sailing and the four of us went out for the day. We visited Port Merrion, the village built by Clough Williams Ellis close to Port Madoc. We ended the day back in Abersoch for a meal at the 'Sandpipers' restaurant to have an early celebration for Jane's birthday on the Friday.
Today we left early and made a stop in Wigan to see Matt, just for an hour, but the icing on the cake of a great weeks holiday.

Well, Its 14 months since I last wrote an entry, but I thought I'd pick it up again, so here goes. It has been an eventful year. Where do I start? Last year I went through a very stressful period at work, It was a job that I had really enjoyed and worked hard at, but it became difficult as one member of the team didn't have the same work ethic and things came to a head! At the end of the year I took up a post locally and have settled into my new job. I have great colleagues and no travelling to work, which makes a hell of a difference.
Last November as a family we were blessed with a new member, Maisie, our niece and daughter of Rebecca and Simon made her entrance, she is a delightful little girl. Maisie will be gaining a sibling in January 08.
Last year I met for the first time my older sister. Annie is my father's daughter from his first marriage. I have known for many years about her and although our Dad met Annie some years ago, we were not to meet until the 14th August 2006. It's been an a amazing year getting to know each other, I feel sadness that Dad isn't here to share in our joy, but know without doubt that he would take pleasure in two of his daughters building a relationship. Annie had started researching her family tree and I have joined her in that quest. We have already journeyed to our father's birthplace and we have seen the grave of our grandparents, how much further will our journey take us?
We don't get to see our son's Ian and Matt as often as I'd like, they both live 'up north' and live very busy lives. Matt is very happy, he enjoys his job at the bowling alley, has good friends and a nice girlfriend. I am told by friends that I shouldn't worry about Matt's lack of direction and that 'he will be alright'! In my heart I know this to be true, but it doesn't stop me being 'Mum'!
Ian is in Finland at the moment, a short visit as part of his studies, he too is enjoying life, has a new girlfriend and looking forward to a trip to Australia at the end of the year.

Steve is as usual enjoying his sailing, he is now an instructor and teaches each Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon is the time he races and much of the rest of his spare time is taken up with the admin work he does for the club.
This year I decided that I was going to join the adult training group, I wouldn't say that I have the bug, but I'm certainly much more confident when out on the water. The lessons have been disrupted by the weather but I'm hoping I will have managed enought to get the certificate!
Were off to Wales tomorow. Steve and his crew Tim, will be sailing in the Lazer 2000 nationals. We are staying in a small cottage in Abersoch, Jane and I are hoping that the weather will improve and that we may enjoy some walking, maybe some horse riding and if it gets hot enough even some time on the beach. I have a couple of books to take and I'm looking forward to some relaxation.
Well I have nearly packed and sorted out what we are taking for the week. I will be offline for a week or so. Fingers crossed for sunshine.