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Yes, the year has passed by again. The
evenings are dark and it is time to prepare the annual Christmas Review for
inclusion in the seasonal postings. This year we are trying something new:
- First I have insisted that Susan and Andrew prepare their own
summary of the year
- Second we have put it all together on this web page
Happy browsing... |
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Hardly had our last review hit the streets
when we received the sad news that Angela's father, Norman, had died whilst
returning home during the Christmas / New Year break. Although he had not been
very well for a few months, his sudden death came as a shock to the family.
With the holiday season in full swing it took a little while to organise the
necessary formalities however, as family members will recall, we were able to
arrange the funeral early in the New Year. Joan has had to come to terms with
her loss and adjust to life on her own - a step that she has made extremely
well. We would like to thank all the family and friends - most of whom will be
reading this - for their help and support to both Joan and ourselves over the
past year. |
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It was at this time
that Angela's car, the blue Clio, decided to shed a cam belt. A horrible
clanking sound and it was clear that it needed a full set of valves to get it
back on the road. We had to hire a car to get Joan back to Bolton whilst the
garage assessed the damage. We were very aware that the car was past it's prime
- it needed new wheel bearings and shock absorbers regularly - mainly a result
of the country lanes and the forest tracks that were regularly traversed in
supporting the walking we do with the school students. Time for a change and
Angela opted for a Subaru Forester - not
(quite) in the Tonka Toy class, but with 4 wheel drive, high clearance, five
doors and real 'umph' definitely the vehicle for the role we were looking for.
Great fun to drive. Angela has been delighted with it - she even lets me drive
it sometimes for short distances. |
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This year Andrew was to change schools and
he was went on the Skiing trip that Rothbury Middle School organise on
alternate years for the top two years. This time the students went to Crest
Voland and had a great time. Andrew has prepared a Powerpoint presentation
[not posted] which gives some idea as to what they got up to. When we
watched it we noted that every time he is featured he has his arm around the
instructoress! |
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We did get away camping in the Lakes around Easter. I
managed to twist my ankle badly whilst walking back to the car - a twist that I
still have not fully recovered from. As the weather forecast was by now
predicting snow we decided to quit and return home.
With Susan in the lower
sixth at the start of the year, I had hoped that we could arrange a week's
holiday walking in Scotland - as we did last year. However, the curriculum is
now much more modular and she always had examinations just after the half term
breaks. We have booked next year though - after the A-level examinations.
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We have made a significant effort with the garden again
this year. We have built up one of the retaining walls and laid a small patio
and other grass paths. We also finally cleared the last of the Leylandii hedge
- that made a magnificent bonfire. All this has cleared the way for a shed
(much needed) and greenhouse (much hoped for) - and we really must repair the
paving behind the house (much effort). Much much still to do. We did get a good
crop of vegetables and fruit this year; except for raspberries which for some
reason failed completely this year (still we have plenty in the freezer from
last year!). |
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Susan has kept up her
contacts with outside groups including Duke of Edinburgh (DoE),
Biddlestone Chapel,
National Park, helping scouts groups
visiting the outdoor centre in the Cheviots, etc.. She again helped the local
farmer with lambing at Easter, has added the social activities of the
Coquetdale Young Farmers, and follows the various sixth form events as well.
During the summer she accompanied the school group to Scotland for the four day
camping/walking expeditions; she did her Gold DoE expedition last year so this
trip was along for the ride.
The past few months have included the
application to University courses for next year. She has chosen to go in for
Mechanical Engineering and has been visiting a number of colleges to assess her
options - visiting some places more than once. By the New Year this process
should be complete and she can concentrate on working towards the grades that
she will need. |
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Andrew has also been
active, with the move to the high school in
Morpeth in September widening his horizons considerably. During his last
year at Rothbury School he spent a lot of time helping them set up their
computers - an interest that he has continued by putting together a wide range
of projects including web sites and other computer projects. He has now started
the DoE course - he felt he ought to do it - and developed his previous
interest with tennis during the summer months. He continues with his music,
although we have had to find a new violin teacher for him as his previous
teacher opted to leave the country. (Not my fault he cries!) He took the time
to play a piece (the theme to Friends) at Rothbury School's leaving service,
and now plays in the Morpeth School orchestra. Unfortunately the County String
Orchestra failed to reform this year due to lack of support. This is a pity as
he did enjoy the courses last year. |
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We succeeded in having a cracking holiday this year -
especially when compared to the complete wash-out last year. We (I) have long
had a wish to tackle the high Cuillin ridge on Skye, specifically to get all
four of us up the Inaccessible Pinnacle (the 'In Pin'). With ropes an essential
ingredient, and the dangers of changeable weather in high narrow ridges we
opted to organise a guide and take a five day trip to the island. We relaxed
our usual rules on accommodation and we booked in for B&B. Andrew thought
this was a real treat, full cooked breakfasts each morning, and we explored
several sections of the ridge. We hit on magnificent weather, no rain, high
cloud and lots of sunshine.
Brilliant. |
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Over the past couple of years I have been
putting together the many slides and diary notes of our walking exploits onto
the computer. This labour of love has been great fun to do and several sections
have been put together in web format, including the sections from this year's
trip to Skye. A
full version of the text and pictures has been posted. |
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Angela worked hard on the vegetables and
fruit in the garden and, after taking out the time for supporting the social
and music activities of Andrew and Susan, has found a bit of time to practice
her skills on the keyboard. With the use of headphones she is able to immerse
herself in mastering the music at her own pace without the active help
(interference) of the children. She continues to practice her dentistry at
surgeries in Morpeth and Hadston. |
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This year I have taken the step of moving the office
from it's long established premises in Rothbury to a new location that is
better suited to our current needs. For several years now we have had space far
in excess of our needs and so a move was inevitable sooner or later. I picked
one of the service office suites on a Business Park in Ashington. The site is
the nearest of this type to Rothbury and still well out of the city where
commuting, parking and rent costs become more problematic. We have only been in
residence for a couple of months but I am finding it a much better environment
than the old site. Mind you the cold easterlies whistle in off the North sea.
We are increasingly involved in custom development work, linking working
methods to spreadsheets, databases and the like, rather than the straight
packaged software business. The latter we are leaving more to the likes on
Microsoft - there is no way we can compete with them on price so we leave it to
them. A company web site has been posted and this gives more detail on what we
offer, www.claremont-controls.co.uk. |
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Finally, this year has seen reaching of
our 20th wedding anniversary - it was November 1979 that we got married.
Somehow the diaries did not work out though - I was in Loughborough on the day,
we were attending a school function in the evening, and Angela visited her
mother in Bolton over the following days. Never mind. For those that cannot
quite recall the day - or who were not in attendance - one of the pictures is
shown on the left. And please, you do not need to write and say how young,
slim, radiant etc. etc. we looked then. We are aware of the effect that the
last 20 years has had. (Not our fault they cry!). |
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I think that just about covers it all for
this year. We all wish you a very Merry Christmas and a stonkingly good New
Year. A Year 2000 threshold is definitely a once in a life time event - unless
medical science makes some dramatic discoveries in the very near future we
don't think we shall see another. |
