Life!

The weekend of 23rd November started with QPs and a peal for Dennis Brock's 100th birthday - Mike was involved in the ringing, having organised a lot of it, and we both went to the end of the service on Sunday in Sunbury - where Mike got a wave from Dennis and from the Bishop as they processed out, making others in the congregation wonder who this celebrity was who had sneaked in at the back!  There was a buffet lunch in the hall, but it was packed out so we just had a cup of tea and stayed around for a bit and then went home. There was an item on the BBC TV London News too - with Mike occasionally coming into view. My diary was very full for the next few weeks right up until Christmas, and I didn't get back to the gym and fitness classes for the rest of the year.  I did however renew my membership, and book up for a refresher session in the gym in the new year.  I also purchased a leg-master and a v-fit stepper which I had seen advertised on Gumtree.  I drove over to Hi

(click here for short, 2-page version pdf!) Doesn’t time fly! It seems no time at all since I was composing last year’s letter. What a gorgeous summer we had - the heatwave seemed to go on for ever and I spent many a happy hour sitting in the garden - as did Suki! As expected, Mary (Mike’s mum) passed away on 13th December last year - nearly 5 weeks after she first took to her bed and stopped eating.  Everyone at Tracey House was so good with her, caring for her and keeping her comfortable. They also took care of everything at the end which was very helpful. We were fortunate to be able to have the funeral before Christmas so it wasn’t hanging over until the new year. Mary had written down her wishes for hymns and readings and even a potted history for the eulogy! It was very easy to organise, even from a distance. She was well known at the church and there was a good attendance - I was particularly glad that her 90-year old friend, who had been her bridesmaid, was ab