As 2018 draws to a close this Christmas Eve...

We wish you a

Peaceful Christmas and Happiness for 2019

&

hope to see many of you in the coming year

What a special year this has been with the first centenary ending of WWI. In June & July Carlisle Castle hosted the “Weeping Window” from the Tower of London's 2014's “Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red” WWI art memorial. 

 

 

We had to say good bye to some older family and friends in January: Colin's Auntie Mollie, our sweet neighbour Betty and our delightful wee schnauzer, Fritz.

Between 24^th February until 4^th March we were all visited by “The Beast from the East”. This kept Colin busy, helping to get people to work using his Jeep; as part of the North West 4x4 Response charity.

So in April we decided we needed some winter sun, and booked an apartment in Nice's old town. Jamie & Nicky joined us there; which was lovely as we had our last family holiday in Nice in 2007.

Little did we know that May, June and July would produce so much sunshine and warmth, bringing a real reminder of the summer of '76. So as well as getting the garden in shape we managed to paint our our windows, a job which was much overdue.

We holidayed in Ireland in August. Colin's mum, Bettie in her 94^th year was in sparkling form. We so enjoyed our US friends' Vivienne & John's wedding in Tralee. We visited our niece Emma & family in Waterford, returning home via Wales; staying in Machynlleth.

 

We're both keeping busy with being tour guides at our local National Trust property and have become involved with an oral history project there as well. 

Colin is still enjoying motorbiking with the Quick Quacks and recently went on a training course in York.

I'm still mad about horses and often visit my Appleby friends Anne, Clare & Sue who have their sport horse stud. Sue has been riding a friend's 14 hand highland pony. After seasons of successful showing they decided to give Glenmore of Roisbheinn (aka Grommit) of a bit of variety and took him eventing. He has now qualified for 2019 Badminton Grassroots 90cm class!

Jamie & Nicky have had changes too this year. Jamie has bought a very tidy, well maintained back to back house in Leeds. Its only a mile from work at the ITV archive and very close to the city centre. Nicky and her boyfriend, Rob have bought my parents little terraced cottage in Great Corby. Renovations are underway with Rob's joinery skills to the fore. Nicky is communting to Newcastle for her children's nursing job, quite a long journey but she has an overnight bag always packed in case it's icy or she's just plain tired.