The first notable event of 2004 was a day off school due to heavy snow – the first time this has happened for very many years.  Usually,  we would have been delighted, but on this particular occasion,  it was less than convenient as Richard had been taken into hospital, having developed a spontaneous pneumothorax, and we were simply unable to get out of the village to drive to Bournemouth to see him.  Fortunately the doctors were able to drain the “bubble” over several sessions, and he seems none the worse!  The snow was beautiful however, and we did enjoy walking the dogs  around the fields in beautiful sunshine.

 

Easter brought a fortnight’s visit to Holland, visiting Leiden, Alkmaar and the Bulb fields, followed by a few days on the north coast over the Easter weekend during which we

visited Amsterdam and Edam, and finally back south west to one of our favourite spots, in particular the town of Zierikzee in Zeeland.  Despite the heater in the caravan, it was pretty cold, with frost and hail.  Nevertheless, we cycled quite a bit  - it would have been a shame to be in such a flat country and not take advantage of the lack of hills.

 

In the Spring half term, we went to Cornwall – staying at a caravan site near  Boscastle and seeing it in its pre-flood state.  Roger wanted to re-live his teenage years, so we visited Portscatho, where for many years he camped as a Crusader.  Roger returned home on the Thursday for a doctor’s appointment, while Gill and I remained to visit the Eden Project on one day, and to cycle the Camel Trail on the other – approximately 32 miles from Bodmin Moor to Padstow. 

 

 

During the summer, Roger decided to stay at home, while Gill and I headed north, firstly to Carradale with friends, and then back to our usual spot on Mull.  Unlike the rest of the country, we had pretty good weather for most of the time.  Unfortunately, while the sun shone overhead, there was nevertheless a strong wind, which prevented us from undertaking pre-arranged visits to both Dhu Heartach and Skerryvore lighthouses; we were very disappointed, but managed a very rough trip out to Sanda and its unusual lighthouse.

 

The final trip of the year should have taken us across the Channel to Brittany.  Fortunately, the company who were supposed to provide us with a free Caravan ticket across the Channel, lost all our booking details, so at the last minute, we headed north again, to a glorious week in Kilberry in Argyll – thank you to the inefficient Travel Company!!  We like Brittany, but there is really nowhere to touch Scotland!!  We just feel we ought to make the effort to go elsewhere sometimes!

 

Roger’s leukaemia seems fairly stable, but he has developed arthritis, which curtails his movements to a certain extent.  Gill has moved to a new school, as her previous one is due to close at the end of the current academic year.  The new one is an excellent local primary, but she is having to work very hard, as until now, she has taught only in secondary and middle schools – the new concept of teaching all subjects, and having the same class more or less all day, requires a fair amount of preparation and adjustment. Sally and Finty continue to thrive in London.  Sally celebrates her *0th birthday next year, and plans to mark the occasion by spending a long weekend in New York with other school friends, who are similarly aged.  Fiona and Bob have just had planning permission to build an extension to the house, as well as to build a completely new studio flat in the garden, so next year looks like being a busy one for them, as they plan to do some of the labouring themselves if possible.  Andrew has acquired Canadian Nationality, as well as retaining his British Passport.  The big news, however, is that Shannon is expecting their first child in March.  Needless to say, we are planning to go over next Easter to meet the new arrival.  Richard is currently back at home with us.  Circumstances have been such that Dee, his wife, feels that she needs to be close to her daughter and grandson, but Richard’s work is too far for him to travel from there each day.  Eventually, the plan is to buy or rent a small flat in Bournemouth, but for the time being, we are happy for him to be home again.  I am still working, enjoying playing with two Brass Bands and all that that entails, and have spent a great deal of time in planning and researching for the Lighthouse Section of this Web Site. Even if no-one else finds it interesting, it has kept me quiet for long periods of time!! 

 

We very much enjoy receiving news from friends and acquaintances, and would be even more pleased to be able to meet in person during the course of next year.  Please contact us if you are in the area!!  In the meantime, from all of us here, we wish you all the very best for 2005.