Blimey – Another Year Gone!
A Happy Christmas to everyone. Our “photo of the year” this year’s was taken in Palermo where Noelene had just escaped from a week in prison – I kid you not! (see below). Life has continued much as normal with just a few aches and pains to remind us both of the passing years!
We’ve both had all the COVID vaccinations going and Noelene has continued to volunteer for the Bolton programme – though has recently moved on to “interests new”. John continues with his thrice a week walking and no longer gets lost on t’local moors, he knows them so well! The garden did well this year with Noelene’s careful nurturing and we’ve had a splendid new (larger) greenhouse put in.
Apart from one disastrous foray abroad all our travelling has been in the UK this year – including twice to Wales. But we do so miss our family in South Africa and we’re off to drive them mad for seven weeks starting early next month.
Here’s Why we Don’t Send Christmas Cards
Stories like this sicken us and we hope they do you too. Britain takes in far fewer asylum seekers than Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Here, the right-wing press make them out as sponging pariahs when, in fact, they are people in desperate straits, many of whom die trying to reach places of safety.
That’s why we’re continuing to donate our Christmas card and presents money to local charities who help refugees and asylum seekers (BRASS) but also to the homeless (Homeless Aid UK) and medics responding to natural disasters and conflicts around the word (Doctors of the World).
Taking A Break!
Wow, John didn’t lose the local election this year!! Mind you, that could be because he didn’t stand. What with being Secretary of the Bolton West Constituency Party and the local members’ branch, time is filled with the joyous pastime of writing minutes!
But with all-out local elections next year it’ll be a question of “one more unto the breach, dear comrades”! Last year as Johnson continued to lie his way through the COVID crisis, with new allegations of sleaze and corruption by the day, we had a horrible feeling that as John O’Farrell wrote, “Things Can Only Get Worse!” and we were right! Neither of us are great fans of Sir Keir but those who are suffering most under this inept, corrupt government need a change and they need it now!
The (Not So) Wee Laddie!
Jack seems to have prematurely reached the “teenage years” and some of the awkwardness that goes with it but he’s still a kind and loving lad and supports many worthwhile causes, especially the LGBTQ+ community, which we thoroughly approve of.
He’s also reached the point of “hating” school, although how much of that is for effect and how much to play with our minds we’re not sure. Apparently he still seems to be doing well and his latest ambition is to be an RAF pilot! Here he is practicing at Caernarvon Airport museum, being “cool” on a stormy beach in Norfolk and learning how to drive a steam train!!
Out And About
After a terrible flight to Spain late last year, due to the COVID restrictions, we said we wouldn’t fly anywhere for a long time. However….
Chilly But Starlit!
First of all we began the year with a wonderfully chilly celebration of Noelene’s birthday in the north east with an excellent night in Tynemouth (be sure to eat at Riley’s Fish Shack on the beach) and then to the dark and wonderfully starlit skies of the Kielder Forest. We had a day freezing our wheels (??) off cycling around Keilder Water and an evening at the Observatory where the clouds dutifully parted and we had amazing views of so many of the heavenly bodies.
Fortunately the nearby pub had a warm fire! 🙂
Imprisoned!
In June, in “rather warmer” weather we headed to Sicily for a 12 day tour of an island we’d wanted to visit for years. All went well for the first three days but then, in Palermo, COVID struck and we were stuck and the tour left without us! Noelene didn’t suffer too badly but was imprisoned in the hotel room for a week whilst John was allowed to roam the streets in 35o heat all “masked up” hunting and gathering good food to raise the patient’s morale! So we never got to see Taormina or Vesuvius — two of the best places on the island, apparently. Hopefully we’ll be back.
That Lot Again!
Earlier in June we’d had a much postponed gathering of the Gillatt Clan in Norfolk and though a tad on the “damp side” it was great to spend time with family old and new, take a steam train ride, see the beach, go for a family walk, play boules and eat, drink and be merry for a few days. Despite appearances we did NOT get lost. Well, not for long anyway! 🙂
Escaped!
In July, in the midst of Britain’s hottest summer spell for decades, the two of us escaped to a wonderfully isolated farm cottage not far from Lake Bala for a few days. It was high on a hill and just what was needed to recharge. Definitely a place to revisit.
I ffwrdd i Ynys Môn!
This year’s holiday with The Lad was also in Wales — on Anglesey. It was a lovely and typical sun, sea, beach and wandering about for a week at the end of the school holidays.
Having only driven through the island on the way to Holyhead in the past, it was a revelation to us — beautiful, relatively uncrowded and lots of fine beaches.
Despite Wales being our 2nd favourite country in the UK there is so much that we haven’t seen. So many more magical adventures to look forward to.
Four Go To Bath!
And finally—to Bath. Just a few days ago we spent a lovely time “taking the waters” in the Roman Baths, promenading around The Royal Crescent, taking in the sights and perusing the Christmas market. But, to be honest (as very proud honorary Northerners!), we feel that the Manchester Christmas Market is much better.
Nevertheless, we had a great time with good friends and many a “tipple” was enjoyed to put us in the mood for Christmas!
Our love and best wishes for as wonderful a Christmas as COVID will allow and let’s hope for a better, happy and peaceful New Year.
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Some Random Images from 2022!
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