In amongst visits to and from our two lovely grandchildren we took a real holiday of our own, cycling from Vienna to Budapest. Friends and family will be surprised that we suddenly took to such an unfamiliar mode of transport but the going was easy: some might call it flat. We simply followed the Danube downstream and downhill dropping 55m in 250 km. The route took us through sleepy villages in three countries, into wonderful spas and museums and for lunch with friends in Bratislava.
Both of us continue to work full time, Kate teaching a medley of subjects – from French to 5 year olds to Latin to 15 year olds - and Jonathan doing what he can at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. His patience is sometimes tried by people who have never experienced a recession talking about ‘issues around mosiac funding’; saying ‘that was then, this is now’; and preaching about ‘partnership’, ‘blue sky thinking’ and ‘thinking the unthinkable’. The advantage is that he can still play boats occasionally and we have done just that when the conditions have been right.
The main focus for the year was the family and we were visited regularly by our offspring and their bright, adventurous and growing children. Emma and Wyl live in Datchet – with Wyl teaching in Slough – and have a very camera-loving Alana (nearly 2) who has introduced her doting grandparents to the joys of Abney and Teal.
Claire and Nick live in Epsom and are both happily working in the public sector. Olly (now 2) is engaged in comprehensive research into the tractors and diggers of the UK which will no doubt lead to a book.
At the other end of the family, and the country, Jonathan’s parents are still going strong, propping up the local church in Suffolk. They have now met all their great-grandchildren.We found time to indulge our love of music – regular concerts, Rusalka, Gianni Schicchi and La Boheme as well as singing a very bass pirate – sail Curlew and row a pilot gig. Jonathan was even called on to narrate a historical re-enactment to celebrate Falmouth’s 350th anniversary. The result was somewhere between a Horrible History and 1066 and All That: rather strange for a former pure physicist.
We were all looking forward to welcoming another grandchild to the family but sadly, a couple of weeks ago, Emma and Wyl lost their son Kit thirty-one weeks into the pregnancy. We are all mourning with them, confident of the future because of the love that surrounds them. Another year is around the corner and we wish you all good fortune. Mylor Bridge continues to be open to all provided you do not mind stairgates, tractors, camping cots, a dolls’ house, coupled with wonderful Cornish skies, seas, beaches, boats, weather and a warm welcome.
Our love to all our friends. Kate and Jonathan
