Christmas 2021

Greetings to everyone this Christmas. We hope you have been keeping healthy and stress-free in these difficult times.

Gill It’s a very dull contribution from me this year as I haven’t really done anything or been anywhere. I said in last year’s letter, “I can’t wait to get away for some sun next year.”

Well, that didn’t happen! A week in a cottage in Lincoln in June was all I managed.

My late sister’s estate was wound up this year and I have been able to pass on some of the London property I inherited to the next generation.

It’s been over two years now since we had a vicar and as a churchwarden church duties have been quite onerous. But we were glad to see the return of our visitors and tourists from July and finances are picking up again. We have also had some excellent retired clergy coming to take services, so we do feel blessed.  Thankfully my other activities have recently started again- choirs, art class and reading group- so fingers crossed this new virus strain won’t lock us down again in the new year.

Abigail’s family are all well if rather overworked. Aissa is now officially Head Chef at a hotel in central London and Abigail has been managing two Waterstones branches and troubleshooting at a third. Zara was due to return from Qatar this year but has decided to extend her midwifery contract for a fourth year. Joseph (14) seems to enjoy school  and is now into Gymnastics and Cookery. They haven’t been anywhere much either, coming to see me for a few days in July and having a couple of days in a posh hotel in Edinburgh.

Katy has started up a new business, Just Be Human, offering counselling and psychotherapy. Due to lockdowns she works on Zoom and the phone with 25 clients from all round the country. Jo’s business ticks along successfully and he says he has had a good rock climbing year. So have their boys. Samuel (15) and Luke (13) both came second in a climbing competition in the army cadets and Samuel came 4th in a national competition. Samuel won the school prize for RE in his year group (wouldn’t Nick be proud!)  and Luke is developing a love of History (his grandma IS proud). Samuel also sings and plays in a band.

Matthew‘s own property business continues to go from strength to strength and the family were lucky enough to spend the Summer in Crete with Matt working from Greece rather than the Wirral. Lily (11) has passed her 11 plus this year and will start the local grammar school in September 2022. She enjoys Art like her Grandma and cookery too. Izzy and Eve (10) are still enjoying football, playing most weekends, Eve in defence and Izzy in midfield. They have both discovered a love of athletics and appear to be pretty good at it; often winning races that they are a year too young for yet. Matthew and Karen enjoy watching them run, although prefer the summer events to the winter cross country. Karen has published her second childrens book this year, Extraordinary Travellers – The Clock Thief, and continues to combine running her travel blog with working in law.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2022.