2022 - A Year of Beginnings, Endings & Family

Maybe 2023 will be the ending of what began on 24^th February; a Ukraine restored. We can only support & hope. Somewhat ironically this Russian photographer’s snowflake image is a seasonal reminder of fragility & transience.

(Oh dear I’m sounding rather too much like the podcaster whom  Hilary Rose from The Times has been reviewing!)

So here is our year, captured in photos:

January brought William Andrew Parker
into the world, our niece Amy & Tim's little one. 

As you can see he is thriving. Here he is with a pround grandpops, brother Andy.

Nicky & Rob celebrated their 30th birthdays (January & April) and in February they became engaged (when a frantic momzilla emerged for seven months).

The bard's birthday was enjoyed belatedly by Colin & his brothers-in-law at Hamilton Burns Club in April.

High jinks planned again for 2023!

Paps of Jura from Islay

In May we enjoyed our first trip to some of the Inner Hebridean islands; after a stop off with cousins Ian & Carole, north of Oban.

Colin was on his trike having first been away with his Quick Quack pals. They rode from the mainland's most eastern lighthouse to the most western.

We travelled together on four and three wheels: Mull - Islay - Kintyre - Arran. Bluebells were out in profusion, weather a tad mixed but midge-free. 

Needless to say the odd dram was sampled!

Waiting for when the boat comes in - Claonaig to Arran

We celebrated the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style in Broadwath with a tea party / games / new wall plaque / local history / cheese & wine.

https://broadwathbroadcast.blogspot.com/

Who would have thought that just three months later our dignified Queen would slip away from the world?

These fell ponies (a little unusually grey) are Bybeck Katie & Bybeck Nightingale, breed in Cumbria

A personal sad loss this year was my last remaining Hutcheson auntie, Margaret. We got a tiny chance to visit her in Perth, with Uncle Humph and cousin J in 2020, just as Covid was erupting. I love this picture of her at home in the garden at Courthill, Kelso ... maybe as a ten year old.

Margaret 1935 - 2022

Hadrian's Wall

Canada Day (1st July) was marked with & by Elana, Colin's cousin from near Vancouver. We were treated to a breakfast feast with pancakes, eggs, bacon & lashings of maple syrup.          Suddenly we were ambushed in the kitchen by Nicky, Rob & niece Jenny.                                                                                Elana is kindly going to come in March to house sit the livestock when we travel to Melbourne for Jenny & Arun's wedding in March 2023.

Rodgers' niece Robyn & Joey were married on 17th July. We had a wonderful time gathered together.

Mr & Mrs Joey Patchitt

Colin - Nicky - Rob - Gary - Sabrina

The following days in Lincolnshire were hot. 40.3c was recorded at RAF Coningsby, so all we could do was sip cool wine at sundown beside the River Withim.

As July ended we had a chance to meet up with niece Jo & family, near Kendal

John - Alex - Frankie - Jo

On 19th September we celebrated Nicky & Rob's wedding at Wetheral Church & Dacre Hall, Lanercost. It was quite a DIY affair but we made a great team with Tracey, Bobby & Chloe, having fun and making memories. Unfortunately Covid kept some family members away (Jo, Lesley & Andy). Pete could only bravely attend the church as he had just had a knee replacement. So it was a snack box for Diane & him.

Sophi - Chloe - Nicky - Laura

Hutcheson cousins
Emma - Nicky - Amy

Highly Strung in action - wow what a high light they were too!

Our little Mitsy May McGregor has now crossed the doggie 'Rainbow Bridge' but not before meeting our new, post wedding arrival - Izzy aka Dr Isobel Smuts.

c. Jamie

Here she is visiting Leeds earlier in November.

Eve & Jamie have just about got hold of her!

She was sold (very cheaply to us) as a cavapoo; but DNA has shown her to be a Sprockerpoo / Springerdoodle! I.e. mongrel for poodle x springer spaniel x cocker spaniel. As they say, caveat emptor etc!

       Merry Christmas    &

Izzy - 16 weeks & counting