I hope this finds you well. It's that time of year again to put pen to paper (or fingers on
the keyboard) and catch up on spreading the news.
It's been another busy year, the time as usual seems to fly by.
James started senior school in September and he has coped very well with the change. The school is called Darrick Wood, and it is just over a mile away. He gets there by bus, so has become much more independent in recent weeks. It took quite a bit of getting used to - having to move to different classrooms for different subjects, packing all the books for the lessons and coping with all the homework! He got a lot of homework at first - 3 or 4 subjects a night, but it seems to have tailed off lately. They are having their work assessed now prior to being put in sets - he's in the top set for science so far. They have a system of merits for good work and he's already got over 40, and his effort grades have also been good - as he got over 7 "1"'s he had to go and get his contact book signed by the head teacher at half term. He's in the rugby team and is singing in the choir at the Christmas carol concert.
He still goes to scouts - the local group are Air Scouts, so they usually go the Biggin Hill Air Show, and he also went on an international scout camp in Maidstone for a week in the summer, where they had the chance of going up in a light aircraft for a short flight.
Rachel is now in year 5, so has another two years before she moves to senior school. At least Rachel is guaranteed a place at Darrick Wood school when it's her turn. The schools in Bromley are very popular and we are not in any catchment areas, so we had to wait a while before we were offered a place for James.
She's very musical - being in the school choir and orchestra. She plays the clarinet and will be doing her grade 2 exam next year. Rachel also seems to have a flair for creativity - she's always painting or drawing or making things. She also enjoys being in the drama club at school. Rachel has a good friend who lives next door but one, so they spend a lot of time together playing at the weekends.
Rachel also enjoys the Brownies, and hopefully they'll be going on a camp next summer.
I'm still working as a Senior Care Manager in Social Services, visiting mainly older people and setting up services for them. I am also doing the Certificate in Management course which ends in May 1999, so all that keeps me out of mischief.
John is now working from home 3 days per week, the other 2 in the company's head office in Cheltenham. He's been doing this since the London office closed earlier in the year. It seems to be working well - sometimes the dinner's cooked when I get home from work! John hasn't been travelling abroad so much either lately, so he prefers that too.
We seem to be turning into Francophiles, having had three trips there this year - Disneyland Paris in May was great fun. You can get there direct on the train from Waterloo. As we were staying in one of the hotels on site, we were able to get into the park one hour before they opened the gates, so we were able to get to all the big rides before the queues got too long. The downside was having to get up at 6 a.m. but it was worth it.
We returned to France for our main summer holiday, with Eurocamp again for our third year. For the first week we were by the Mediterranean - it was just a short walk from the mobile home to the beach, and the site had a great pool too. They even managed to persuade me to try the water slides with photographic evidence to prove it! We moved on to the Ardeche for the second week, again just a short walk from the river. The scenery was spectacular, and there was plenty going on for the children, as the animateurs organized games round the pool and put on a show each evening. We liked it so much we're going back to the same site in the Ardeche next year, and again on the coast for a week, but further round the coast towards Spain.
We also spent October half term in a chateau near Cahors. We went by train and hired a car there. The weather was good so we managed trips out round the local towns. We also drove down to Lourdes for the day and the Pyrennes looked spectacular topped with snow. It was strange seeing all the vines in their autumn colours but I would recommend the area for the red wine!
We haven't been going up to Birmingham so much this year, but everyone there is fine. James made his First Holy Communion in May at Anthony's church near Stoke on Trent, so we had a family get together then with Auntie Marci, Uncle Jack and Peter; Auntie Rosemary and Uncle Peter; Mary and John, and Michael, Angela and family. Anthony has been in Clayton for 2 years now, and has been made Dean. It's quieter than his last parish, but he seems to have settled in well. It's awkward getting to see him as it is that bit further to Stoke, and we are tied up all week and most weekends with things going on.
Mary continues to work as a health visitor. She came down for my 40th birthday party in the summer, which was good fun.
Michael and Angela are as busy as ever - Mike is still working in the insurance business, and Angela is matron of a local nursing home. Jonathon will be doing his GCSE's next year, and Anthony the year after. Katy will be 10 at the end of December - she and Rachel get on well together, so it's a shame we're not nearer so they can meet up more often.
Anyway, that's about all the news. I look forward to hearing yours.
Hoping you'll have a very Happy Christmas and all the best in 1999.
Anne