Moving on...re-posted now that Amber's parents in USA are in the know.

Sunderland move on to the next round of the FA Cup. England move on without Fabio and we move on to our 10th Grandchild, Finley James Devine who was born 12:50am and weighed in at 9lbs.

Well done, Sunderland, England and especially Amber.

Oh, and well done you too, Ash!

On a separate note...was Amber and I the only ones who couldn't sleep last night? Actually, I must have, because the dreams were so unbelievably vivid. In all my life I've never had such dreams. I wonder if I should have left the chocolates in the box before retiring? Rather the chocolates and dreams than what Amber had to go through, eh?

Happy days!

Looking bright here in Newark

It's random, I know...but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed sitting and chatting with Norwich supporters as we watched Sunderland play sublime football to win the game 3-0. Its been quite an eventful time since Martin O'Neil took over and the transformation has been a joy to see. From relegation to 8th slot is no mean feat in such a short time.

Okay, I know!  Yes, the world is reported to be in turmoil and tragedies are in abundance...but I take my comfort from whatever and whenever. Today it's sport and the bright sunshine on a cold, crisp and gloriously bright and optimistic morning.

In the deep and loving it.

Bev made the right choice in taking photos of Liliya rather than me and the gala...Martin was thrown in free of charge virtue of the fact he was the one holding the baby:)

I was worn out by the end of the evening, but it was a great night (as usual) and well attended.

Well done Martin Cox for whipping up enthusiasm in Nottingham...it was all worth it at they ended the evening as overall winners. Thanks also to Nigel and Jan, Sarah, Chris, David, Peter and everyone else that helped us out and made it an event to remember.

Had the pool officials not stopped Bev from taking photos, there'd be more to show. C'est la vie!

Calm before the storm...

 M&L making an early start in the little pool...

 David, Eileen and Bobby...for once, David isn't the baby:)

My goals...

1. Landscape back garden.
2. Have 4 Plein Air expeditions lasting two or three days each outing.
3. Self-publish a 'DailyPainting' book.
4. Extend and re-fit bathroom...including a new tank in the loft.
5. Make 12 videos for Youtube.

We've already demolished the outbuilding and shed in the back garden, cut dead trees down...as well as others, erected, relocated and stocked another shed, replaced old posts and fitted newer fence panels.

I'm really pleased that I haven't over committed myself this year because (as you know) there will always be children, friends and acquaintances to help out...not to mention the odd emergency and the list of jobs waiting for me in France.

We also have unspoken goals...like making certain we have a well balanced lifestyle and maintaining good habits.

Bev has her own personal goals, two of which we are doing together.

We are ready!!

I'm still standing

I sit here wondering what this year will bring.
I sit here wondering about my apparent diminishing capacity to cope with what seemed quite easy last year.
I sit here hoping for little change, but for everything to change.
I sit here fearing an invasion of my world...for the robbers of time and stagnation born of apathy.
I'm standing now and want to make a difference again...my capacity has just increased and I want to slay my demons of which there are a few...none of which are sitting.

What I'd like to do in 2012...
Try some things I've never experienced before.
Windsurf the English Channel (something I've wanted to do for years)

What I have to do in 2012...
Be realistic...It'll take more than this year to prepare to windsurf the English Channel. I think it will have more impact if I wait until I draw my pension:) Extend the upstairs bathroom instead, and for an encore landscape the back garden.
I also have to stop over-committing myself.

That'll do for now.

foreboding

I've got that feeling again. You know...the one that you get when you've done something wrong and you know you'll be found out.

Do I come clean straight away and take it on the chin or choose my moment carefully?

Christmas

My daughter's family have endured months of upheaval while the extension was being built and the new kitchen fitted...just for her to set fire to it and also burn a hole the exact shape of an iron in the new utility room carpet... a day or so before all the family arrive for a get-together.

Luckily, the fire was put out quickly and the smoke damage was confined to the cooker area. A teddy bear now sits on the utility hot spot, hiding it from view.

When we got back home after a fantastic family Boxing Day, we found out that trees have blown over into our garden in France. for some reason, though, I'm as unconcerned as Juli was with the fire. C'est la vie!

We've had a wonderful Christmas and our wood store has just increased significantly.

Before...

After...