Updates from the UK (1)

On North Walsham beach.  Sunshine but cold!

So here I sit in sunny (for the moment after two days of torrential rain) UK just over one month taking leave of Cyprus for the winter period.  The second successive year of having done so after the first wet and cold experience of the winter of 11/12.  On elf the last jobs on leaving was the turning off of the garden irrigation system as surely the rain would be sufficient?  Checking the weather in Pervolia each day with the excellent Weather Live iPhone app it is now a worry as there does not appear to have been any rain.  Will our plants all be dead by the time we return?

The first few days back in the UK were a rush of sorting admin things, hospital visits, visits to parents in Clacton, brother Kevin and wife in their splendid new home in Wickham Market, coupled with a visit to Portman Road to watch Ipswich v QPR and a trip to the north of Norfolk to see Debbie and Bob in their new home.  Whilst rushed it was a good time on all accounts. A walk on the deserted beach of North Walsham watching seals diving and playing close to the shore was a highlight to be repeated on our trip to South Africa.  To follow in update 2.

and a Happy New Year

The time between Christmas Day and the New Year's Eve has always been one of reflection for me as you sit, without a great deal of energy and think on what has gone and what the new year has in store.  I have never been one for New Year Resolutions - you want to act and do better, among the most of what you do all of the time.

So reflecting …. 2013 was a good year.  The first 3 months was hectic in terms of the work as the company was sold.  Clocked up a British Airways Gold card within the first two months of the year, helped by a quick first class flight to Chicago in snowy February.  By June I became unemployed and really saying that I am going to retire! In Cyprus we enjoyed the weather, the walks, our growing garden and all of the visitors who came to see us.  Health has been good, so yes 2013 was a good year.

So between Christmas and New Year we have been lazy enjoying the company of Emily and Laura.  A couple of trips into Larnaca to allow for shopping.  Some lunch looking out onto a deserted beach.  An enjoyable New Years Eve night n the pub attended by many regulars.  All good fun.

So that's it for the last year …….. 2014 starts with a trip to the UK and three weeks in South Africa.  Its good this retirement.

Emily and Laura's stone show clearly how they spent the time.