Tuesday 10 December 2013

Christmas Greetings, 2013

Our year started with a plague of mice, attracted by Christmas chocolates and Aga warmth. The ‘aren’t they sweet’ phase did not last long.

Judy seems to have spent the year running for Age Concern, Diabetes UK, RNLI and Race for Life. In October she came first in the over 50s women group running the Pieces of Eight (8 miles) Southsea Pirate Race and she completed her third ‘Great South Run’. Judy entered the lottery for next year’s London Marathon and was so disappointed not to get a place that she phoned up a few charities and is now running for Crisis. If you want to sponsor her please go to the following website, and if you are in London on 13th April next year please come along and watch: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JudithRussell1 



Phil continues his studies with the Open University. He is currently taking a Creative Writing module and enjoying it. Our Southsea flat is now his writing den.

Work for both of us has been ‘interesting’ this year. Judy’s South London Trust was dissolved and Woolwich Hospital, where she works, has merged with Lewisham Hospital. In August Phil, having ‘had it’ with trying to remain honest in the world of NHS reforms and remodelling, pulled out of all clinical management duties and had himself job-planned into going part time. He refuses to ever serve on any committee again and is a lot happier for it. He intends to retire from healthcare in two years’ time.

Tom (nearly eighteen!) is now in his second year of sixth form at Ravensbourne School. He’s doing really well with his BTEC in Media Studies and hopes to carry on in Media at University next Autumn. He has also taken up motorcycle riding and is doing fine.

Sarah (nearly sixteen!) is working hard for her GCSEs next summer and has discovered music. Reading Festival next year. In May she competed in the National Fencing Finals in Sheffield. And in November she won Gold in Sabre, Silver is Epee and Bronze in Foil at the Kent Fencing Championships.

Cultural highlights over the last year include: Seeing Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Seven Wilson and Steve Hackett at the Royal Albert Hall, Peter Gabriel at the O2, and Colin Blunstone at the Cellars in Eastney (a converted pub venue just opposite our Southsea flat). Phil becoming a friend of the British Museum and seeing the ‘Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum’ and the ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese Art’ exhibitions. Visiting the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield and seeing Barbara Hepworth’s hospital drawing in the Pallant Gallery in Chichester.

Family and friends highlights include Jenny and David’s wedding in February, and Janet’s 50th birthday bash at the top of the A1 in July. Judy and Penny’s dash to Toronto to surprise Frank on his 80th birthday. And seeing the family at Peggie’s 90th birthday celebration in Gosforth was just brilliant. Peggie you are a star!

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Time to stop being retired

Time to write that book.