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Happy New Year.
Monday, January 5th, 2015 11:56 amWell, here we are: 2015. Let’s hope it’s a good year.
I felt that 2014 was not of the best, but over the Christmas break, I sorted through the accumulated photographic evidence and it rather suggests that over all, it wasn’t a bad year.
Obviously Mum’s continued (and continuing) decline casts a shadow over everything, and the latter part of the year was stressful and busy at work – to the point that I was so tired that for the first week of my fortnight off over Christmas, I managed to go to bed early and sleep in late pretty much every day and still felt worn out most of the time. Happily, by week two, I felt more like a normal person again.
Anyway, in the immediacy of work hassle and worry over Mum, I had forgotten that we had managed to squeeze in weekend breaks to Canterbury, Torquay, Stuttgart, Buxton and Heidelberg; plus Furtle spent three weeks in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games (leaving me to my own devices for the period, which actually, paled after a few days). So we did a few things and went a few places and over all did a bit more than immediately sprang to mind. So NOT a bad year, though not the best, either. An ordinary year with many positive highlights.
Having done Heidelberg for the Christmas fairs before the break, I was back in the office for three days before the holiday. This included the office Christmas lunch and pub trip, which was good and also ensured that little was achieved on that day, or indeed the day after. The first day of the holiday was a mad whirl with us belting off to see Furtle’s grandparents for her Grandma’s 90-somethingth birthday, and then back to Leytonstone to watch Christmas movies at the sister-in-law’s place, though in the event, we managed Muppets’ Christmas Carol and then faded out and got a cab home.
Sunday was a day of complete collapse, as was much of Monday, though it being our third (yes, THIRD!!) wedding anniversary, we decamped to an excellent Turkish restaurant for an anniversary meal for the two of us, which was very enjoyable. Tuesday saw a carol service/Christmas music recital at St Martin-in-the-Fields with the in-laws. I wasn’t on top form for that, sadly. I enjoyed the meal and I enjoyed the recital bits, but my one and only Midnight Mass two years ago and last year’s carol service in Leytonstone had underlined how much I don’t enjoy sing-alongs in public. Still, everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves, so I don’t think that my lack of participation spoilt anything for anyone.
Christmas Eve was quiet, but our next door neighbours came around for wine and a chat and a little festive cheer. Young Mr Henry was on fine form and provided all the Christmas excitement that only a five year-old can. Later that evening we nipped around the corner to hand deliver a Christmas card while there was still time!
Christmas Day was splendidly quiet and restful, though we did pop into the pub at lunchtime for a couple of pints. I have discovered, by the way, that provided there is a dollop of soda in it, that I quite like whisky (and whiskey) – this was discovered at Manningtree station on the lay over waiting for the connection to Dovercourt for the birthday clan gathering. It seems that I can now stomach brandy, too. Hmm.
The 27th saw us staying over at Elle’s parents for a second Christmas dinner and additional presents and then, after a couple more quiet days, a trip out to Epping the se Tony and Tracy and stomp through the Essex mud with their pooch, followed by pizza and Sharknado 2.
Value.
This weekend gone, we did some domestic maintenance and then took the Christmas decorations down, though we elected to keep a string of coloured lights in the bedroom to cheer us through the remaining gloomy days of winter.
And now, it’s back at work, but we have a day off later in the month after we’ve been to see Queen at the O2 and then we’re taking a week off at the beginning of February to get over the horror of January and also celebrate my birthday.
2015 seems to be working out reasonably well so far.
I felt that 2014 was not of the best, but over the Christmas break, I sorted through the accumulated photographic evidence and it rather suggests that over all, it wasn’t a bad year.
Obviously Mum’s continued (and continuing) decline casts a shadow over everything, and the latter part of the year was stressful and busy at work – to the point that I was so tired that for the first week of my fortnight off over Christmas, I managed to go to bed early and sleep in late pretty much every day and still felt worn out most of the time. Happily, by week two, I felt more like a normal person again.
Anyway, in the immediacy of work hassle and worry over Mum, I had forgotten that we had managed to squeeze in weekend breaks to Canterbury, Torquay, Stuttgart, Buxton and Heidelberg; plus Furtle spent three weeks in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games (leaving me to my own devices for the period, which actually, paled after a few days). So we did a few things and went a few places and over all did a bit more than immediately sprang to mind. So NOT a bad year, though not the best, either. An ordinary year with many positive highlights.
Having done Heidelberg for the Christmas fairs before the break, I was back in the office for three days before the holiday. This included the office Christmas lunch and pub trip, which was good and also ensured that little was achieved on that day, or indeed the day after. The first day of the holiday was a mad whirl with us belting off to see Furtle’s grandparents for her Grandma’s 90-somethingth birthday, and then back to Leytonstone to watch Christmas movies at the sister-in-law’s place, though in the event, we managed Muppets’ Christmas Carol and then faded out and got a cab home.
Sunday was a day of complete collapse, as was much of Monday, though it being our third (yes, THIRD!!) wedding anniversary, we decamped to an excellent Turkish restaurant for an anniversary meal for the two of us, which was very enjoyable. Tuesday saw a carol service/Christmas music recital at St Martin-in-the-Fields with the in-laws. I wasn’t on top form for that, sadly. I enjoyed the meal and I enjoyed the recital bits, but my one and only Midnight Mass two years ago and last year’s carol service in Leytonstone had underlined how much I don’t enjoy sing-alongs in public. Still, everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves, so I don’t think that my lack of participation spoilt anything for anyone.
Christmas Eve was quiet, but our next door neighbours came around for wine and a chat and a little festive cheer. Young Mr Henry was on fine form and provided all the Christmas excitement that only a five year-old can. Later that evening we nipped around the corner to hand deliver a Christmas card while there was still time!
Christmas Day was splendidly quiet and restful, though we did pop into the pub at lunchtime for a couple of pints. I have discovered, by the way, that provided there is a dollop of soda in it, that I quite like whisky (and whiskey) – this was discovered at Manningtree station on the lay over waiting for the connection to Dovercourt for the birthday clan gathering. It seems that I can now stomach brandy, too. Hmm.
The 27th saw us staying over at Elle’s parents for a second Christmas dinner and additional presents and then, after a couple more quiet days, a trip out to Epping the se Tony and Tracy and stomp through the Essex mud with their pooch, followed by pizza and Sharknado 2.
Value.
This weekend gone, we did some domestic maintenance and then took the Christmas decorations down, though we elected to keep a string of coloured lights in the bedroom to cheer us through the remaining gloomy days of winter.
And now, it’s back at work, but we have a day off later in the month after we’ve been to see Queen at the O2 and then we’re taking a week off at the beginning of February to get over the horror of January and also celebrate my birthday.
2015 seems to be working out reasonably well so far.