We started the year by celebrating Mark’s 40th birthday. We saw the New Year in on a remote Canary Island – La Gomera. It was quiet, perfect temperature, although the pools were a bit cool, and we had a great time. It was shortly after the Tsunami in Asia that occupied the minds of the world at that time.
Tom’s 8th birthday was celebrated with a boisterous party, at home with lots of his friends. The last one according to mum ! The first time in a while we did not go on holiday for Tom’s birthday, but thanks to Roosters, lots of fun was still had.
Easter was full of mixed emotions. Grandad was told that he had liver cancer and given up to 14 months to live, which was a big shock to us all. Meanwhile two good friends of Julie, Sue Beck and Jackie Sheen, married within days of each other, to become Mrs Wright and Mrs Bradley respectively. The parties were great; a fitting celebration in both cases, and a chance to catch up with some old friends from Julie’s days in Crewe (Alison & Stewart and family, Jane & Patrick, Jane and Bruce and family).
After Easter we had a turning point at school for Tom. His behaviour improved dramatically, and he started to make great progress with his studies. He was rewarded with his first Honours assembly and rosette.
The summer saw our bi-annual visit to Chester, to meet up with the ‘Birmingham gang’. As ever, the weather was kind to us and the Websters’, Horrocks’, Lewis’ and Howicks’ had a fantastic time.
July was one of mixed emotions, one day the country was celebrating as London, unexpectedly won the bid to host the Olympics in 2012, made even sweeter as it was won against our arch rivals, the French, with their bid for Paris.
We came down to earth with a bump though, as the next day, London was hit by bombs on the underground with several people killed, and our confidence shaken of the security in the capital and the country as a whole.
It didn’t deter our celebrations for Charlotte’s 6th birthday though, which we held at home, with Ruby Ragdoll again.
The summer holidays took us to Anglesey with Grandma and Grandad. We stayed at the HPB property that was magnificent; surely one of the best we have stayed in. The weather was beautiful and in spite of Grandad’s failing energy levels we managed an active and interesting week, with trips to the beach and many local places of interest. Mark, Jordan and Tom climbed Snowden, a magnificent achievement of which we are all very proud.
August Bank Holiday took us for a long weekend in Paris. Another hot spell saw us having a fantastic time; the kids enjoyed the sites; climbing the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, boating on the Seine etc. We even fitted in a day at Euro Disney; always a treat.
Our month of treats saw us then celebrating Jordan’s 10th birthday in Manchester of all places, with a trip to Old Trafford to see England play Poland in their attempt to reach the World Cup finals. It wasn’t much of a match, although we did enjoy it. Most memorable was David Beckham being sent off. The match ended in a draw leaving us needing to beat Austria the following week to qualify (which we did of course).
Next saw us off to Dublin for Brian Hamilton’s wedding to Jen, and our first chance to meet all their kids; Ciara, Declan and Erin. Ciara took quite a shine to Tom (she is from the same mould), and they still regularly write and call each other. It was great to see them all, and we were made extremely welcome by the family, even though they see them very infrequently themselves.
In response to Jordan’s excellent running abilities, he joined Notts AC this year and attends weekly to try out all his athletics skills, keep fit and have fun.
Julie won a competition at work in September, with a prize of £1000 to spend on a holiday. We therefore spent half term in London. It was great (in spite of a dreadful hotel). We got to go to watch Chelsea play Charlton (and lose – when do they ever lose !?). We went to Greenwich; saw the Cutty Sark, the observatory and rode on the Thames, and even had time to take in a show – Scrooge, with Tommy Steele, which was excellent. The ghosts were a treat for the kids and very well done. Bradley Walsh thought so too !
The run up to Christmas was as frantic as usual with the run of plays, Xmas fairs and parties for all. Grandma and Grandad came to us for Christmas, which was a quiet affair, but peaceful and very enjoyable.
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