Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2001. As usual it doesn't seem like 5
minutes since I was doing this last year.
It's been another busy year, so I'll fill you in on the news.
Children first - James is in his third year of senior school and will be choosing his options for GCSE's next year. He doesn't have any particular ideas about what he wants to do yet - plenty of time for that. James has sprouted up this year and is now taller than me by a couple of inches. He had an electric guitar for his birthday and is having lessons at school. He sometimes gets together with some friends at lunchtime and books a music room so they can practice together, but I don't think at this stage we are looking at the next boy band! John has suggested sorting out the garage so they can practice in it in the warmer weather, so we'll be handing earplugs out to the neighbours. James is off to France with the school next summer for a week's tennis coaching, so he's looking forward to that. James is still in the scouts. He has been flying at Biggin Hill recently - they went up in a light aircraft, and as James was sitting next to the pilot he has a go at the controls. He'll be starting canoeing in January with the scouts, in a swimming pool initially, but moving on to a local reservoir to get the certificate in the summer. He's still into computer games, music and the Nintendo, and also has a good circle of friends.
Rachel finished primary school in the summer. They all went away for a week to an activity centre near Wales in May and had a great time. They did loads of activities - zip wire, raft building, canoeing and obstacle courses to name a few, and anything involving lots of mud. John went along as a parent helper, so I had two lots of muddy clothing to contend with on their return! Rachel is also growing fast - she's almost as tall as me, so I'll soon be the shortest in the family. She has been at senior school for a term now, and has settled in well. She has got used to the homework and has made some new friends. She still plays the clarinet, and loves music. She is also a great one for shopping, and often goes into Bromley with a friend on Saturday. Rachel is still in the Guides, and went on a camp with them in the summer. It was literally in a field, rather than on a campsite, so they all had to take turns cooking etc. They had a great time despite the odd thunderstorm! Rachel still goes to drama lessons, which she loves.
I was lucky enough to have two holidays this year. I went to New York in May with my friends Kate and Helen. We travelled out on Kate's 40th birthday, and got to the top of the Empire State Building as planned on arrival. We had a wonderful time - lots of sight seeing - Liberty Island, The World Trade Centre, Central Park (which was a short walk away from our hotel), and of course a bit of shopping.
Our family holiday was in Italy in August. We were in Tuscany for the first week and by the sea for the second. The weather was good, but as the temperature was in the 30's it was a bit too hot. Even the water in the swimming pool and the sea was warm - like getting into a bath! Being in a mobile home on a Tuscan hillside with no shade made it a bit like being in an oven. Fortunately the swimming pools were good, and we had a car with air conditioning - so we tended to go out in the middle of the day to find a leafy park or shady square to sit in. As both James and Rachel like pasta and pizza they enjoyed the food, and James did some cooking and helped out with the barbecues.
Next year we've already booked to go back to France. We're going with Euro camp again, and will be on one sight near a lake for the first week (the canoe training will come in handy), and back to our favourite sight in the Ardeche for the second week.
We had another garden party in the summer, and will definitely be doing something similar next year, as it will be John's 40th birthday in August. John is still working for Eqos in Leatherhead. He has got used to the travelling, and is still enjoying it.
I started a new job in October. It is still in Bromley's Social Services Division, but I am now based in the Penge area of the borough, which is near Crystal Palace. I am the Practice Manager for the team, so I don't have a caseload now. I am office based, and work closely with the Service Manager to manage the team. I thought it would be odd not going out on visits, but the day seems to fly by. I am enjoying it - I had been in Orpington Area Office for over 7 years, so it was time for a bit of a change and a challenge. The only downside is that it is about 10 miles away on the other side of the borough. The journey can take anything from half and hour on a good day to over an hour. I have kept on our childminder, who is a great help - so James and Rachel have someone here when they get in from school.
That's about all the news. Looking forward to hearing yours.
Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2001.
Anne