Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Hi to one and all,

Stephen and I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2009. 2008 has been an eventful year for us.

Last Xmas we had a visit from my niece’s son and a couple of mates. Stephen and I really enjoyed their company, having youngsters (21 year olds) in the house again was great. Kate and Jason went to Perth to visit Jason’s sister for Xmas and were back for New Year.

February and March saw me (Jane) finish up at the golf club where I had been financial controller, the politics of a club became too much so it was time to retire again.

At Easter we drove to stay with friends Sue and John Downes in Mt Gambier, and Roger and Dorothy Beagley in Adelaide. We also went on a paddle steamer on the Murray River at Echuca.

Late April and Stephen went off to the UK to see his Mum for her 85th birthday. Unfortunately she had been in hospital for some months by then and her health was failing. I took a temp job while he was away for 4 weeks and ended up staying for 10 weeks before retiring again. There is a pattern emerging!

By July I was getting itchy feet and found a job just 2 days a week which is very flexible and I hope it will last until the financial markets pick up again. Stephen during this time has been working on his golf. We also have set up a walking group and we organise a mid week sailing event once a month. We are always busy.

We had promised friends that we would house sit for a few weeks in August, a 5 acre property in the southern highlands with views over the ocean – perfect. Unfortunately we had only been there 3 days when Stephen’s Mum passed away and we headed off to the UK for 4 weeks. It was a sad time made easier by the welcome and support we received from friends and family.

In October we hired a campervan and drove across Australia (across the Nullabor plain) from Perth to Sydney. We took 11 days, drove 4,500 klm, had a brilliant time and managed to catch up with friends along the way.

It is now December and we are getting ready to spend a month on the boat up at Lake Macquarie just north of Sydney. We will come back to Sydney for Christmas.

Kate celebrated 11 years since her transplant in August and she continues to enjoy good health. Jason had his gall bladder removed which was a shock as he is always the hospital visitor, not the patient.

Stephen and I are well and we keep fit sailing, swimming and walking. We frequently do 12 klm walks around Sydney and have a couple of favourite walks that we do along the harbour foreshore. We are still planning a trip north in the boat to the Whitsundays and hope 2009 will be the year but the freak weather patterns seen in recent years are making us more cautious.

We would love to hear from you and hope you will find time to let us know your news.

Jane and Stephen
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