Start Year 2006

The year is off to a good start. To start the record, I will go back to Xmas Day 2005. Scott and Andrew and Wenlin arrived about 1030. We had the traditional opening of presents around the Xmas tree. I think it may be the last real xmas tree we have. The damn thing had just been put up by Ruth and the house decorations finisned and it fell down. She came in and found it lying on the floor and was not pleased. We put it back where it belonged and it seemed quite secure. Some time after its decoration - or re decoration, it fell down again. Operation repeated and guess what, some time later it was down again. This time, I brought in some concrete blocks from outside - like we used to do - and this time it was there to stay. We had a very nice xmas dinner (mid day). Two chickens, boiled potatos and veges. Plum pudding courtesy of Ernest Adams, a Pav baked by Ruth and Brandy snaps. After the meal, Ruth and I left the others and we went to John and Dorothy Martyns, arriving about 1600 hrs. Brian Lill and his wife Noeline were still there. Also present was Dorothy's mother Evelyn White, Dorothy's sister - Lynette and her husband Andrew. John and Dorothys son Bill with his wife Karen. Also J and D's daughter Chrissy with her partner Sean and also Stacy and Ben. I very much enjoyed my chat with Brian. I was surprised to learn that he shared a lot of the views that I have held for over thirty years. We left the Martyns at about 1800hrs and went to the home of Andrea and Peter Sharpe. They were holding a BBQ. We enjoyed a few hours there and it was very pleasant indeed. I was disappointed that Peters father - Brian was not there. I phoned him to get the exact address before we left the Martyns - I could not remember exactly where it was. During our conversation, he told me that he had to be on duty at the Police station (Fire Control) and would miss the event. It was good to see Nerollie and Michael - Andreas parents - and also her sister Felesha and her husband Craig. Also present was her brother Aspin and his little girl. There were a number of others there and I cannot put names to them. Peters mother was there and it was nice to talk to her. I will continue this tomorrow.