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Dec 2011

Dear friends and family,

As usual, our apologies for yet another impersonal Christmas letter. Feel free to skip a part or all and we will understand. If you are interested, you can click on any picture to enlarge it. 

 

 

This year after John was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes we have made determined efforts to lose weight and get a little fitter - with some success. Walking for at least 40 mins at 7am every morning and replacing dinner with a liquid diet. Not alcohol unfortunately – but a protein type of drink.

Plenty more morning walk Kangaroo and other pictures at http://tinyurl.com/cms3sb8


 

We brought a new car in January. A great extravagance, in view of the 2009 GFC and impending GFC2. It’s a tiny VW Polo with everything that opens and shuts, and it goes like a pocket rocket! Quite amazing for a 1.2L (Turbocharged) engine. The day after we picked it up we drove it down to Kiama on the NSW South coast. All our Children and some of the Grand children were having their annual get-together holiday in a huge rented house.

 

 

 

The only longish trip we did this year was the 2,700 Km round trip to Caloundra in Queensland. Betty celebrated her big seven zero Birthday there, with two of her siblings and their partners, a family tradition. Unfortunately her brother could not meet us there as his wife had a back operation the same week. But it was a really nice week there and we caught up with friends and family on the way up and back.

 

 A considerably shorter trip was up to Sydney to hear Neil Armstrong talk to around 850 chartered accountants.  Apparently they persuaded him to visit as his father had been a book keeper! We were very lucky to have been given tickets, and much to our surprise got to meet him after his great speech which lasted well over an hour. Altogether exceeded our expectations! The next day we had time to catch a couple of Sydney harbour ferries (all day unlimited Sydney transport for $2.50 for old fogies :--), and went out to Watson’s bay near the harbour entrance. A very nice day trip.

 

 Our extended family are mostly all well and living busy lives, but we catch up regularly for birthdays and other celebrations. And of course Betty (and very occasionally myself) do Grandparent  type child minding with the younger ones. This Christmas (for the first time in quite a few years) we will be celebrating with all the family, as our youngest daughter Catherine and her two children will be visiting from Brisbane, all the others live in the Canberra area.

 

 

So there it is – a fairly quiet year. At least no overseas trips, but we are planning a month’s Road/Air trip in the USA next year in their spring time. Hopefully we will catch up with my elder sister Jane up in Taos New Mexico for her birthday (snow permitting). The trip is shaping up to be Sydney, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Atlanta. Then driving to Houston via Huntsville, and flying to Denver and driving to Taos, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. More precise details at http://g.co/maps/td8j3  We then stay for 3 nights in Honolulu on the way back. We are really looking forward to it.

We really hope you all have a great Christmas and a brilliant 2012! With love from John & Betty.