R was at home this weekend bringing much stuff which she needed to store here while she is in the process of moving. Buying a flat is not without its difficulties. I expect we will be called up to Raynes Park in the next few weeks to help decorate and move furniture.
Then C wanted to go to a London show for her birthday, which event occurs when she is back on leave from Nigeria. Let's hope that the 'Lion King' is up to our expectations, including the music not being too loud.
Monday, 21 January 2008
Saturday, 5 January 2008
2008 - Welcome to a New Year
Already 5 days into January....
The festive season went by at an average rate for us, as a family. As we had agreed not to buy presents, at least not 'large' ones, there was no last minute spending spree up to Christmas Eve. We had had our 'Christmas' in mid-November when Clare was home from Nigeria for a short break - she had asked us to rent a house in the New Forest for a weekend. We had found none available in the Forest at that time of year so went to one by the River Hamble. 8 of us gathered, we had warming log fires, and even a Christmas tree; well, it was plastic but did have lights. We needed all the brightness we could muster as it there was dark cloud & rain most of the time.
So, come the 25th there was just the 4 of us. The next day B & J came down from Hampstead, followed a day later by Paul & Robyn's clan - 4 bright lively children! Thankfully they could all stay in the next door house which BM kindly let them use. The children were very good even though a giraffe lost its ears - I know the fireplace is a silly place to leave it! P & Co. flew back to Australia yesterday (Fri.). They were a bit of a shock to my system but Pat took them in her stride.
On New Year's Eve there was just the two of us but I did miss playing silly party games with friends as we had done in recent years. I looked on the TV screen if I could spot our eldest 2 on the London Embankment as a interviewer tried his best to ask questions of folk in the crowd: "Where are you from?" "Leeds" "Oh, very good...", as he hurried on to ask the same question to a girl a few yards further on. Not the most enthralling part of the programme. Needless to say it was impossible to see our two in a crowd that was 30 or more deep. There were plenty of "Ooooohs" and " Aaaaaahs" as the fireworks went up over the London Eye. Mayor Ken must have spent a good few 1000 pounds entertaining his council tax payers (as well as those from Sussex, Leeds....)
Now what to make of the beginning of 2008. As so often occurs there is misery created on a large scale, this time in Kenya. Today I hear that 250 000 have left their homes frightened that their neighbours will come to attack. That food, medicines, blankets, shelters and water are now urgently required. That the economy is suffering. That vital trade of food and fuel to Kenya and its neighbouring countries is already badly affected. The work of TearFund is already affected by people working in an aid centre being fearful of going out to a local market to buy food as they can hear gunshots in Nairobi. Prayer is needed for the folk there, that they will be kept safe; and for leaders, that they will come to the right decisions that will lead to peace & stability once again. People in Nigeria are writing web logs today - let's hope that people of influence here in the UK will read, and be able to act on them.
The festive season went by at an average rate for us, as a family. As we had agreed not to buy presents, at least not 'large' ones, there was no last minute spending spree up to Christmas Eve. We had had our 'Christmas' in mid-November when Clare was home from Nigeria for a short break - she had asked us to rent a house in the New Forest for a weekend. We had found none available in the Forest at that time of year so went to one by the River Hamble. 8 of us gathered, we had warming log fires, and even a Christmas tree; well, it was plastic but did have lights. We needed all the brightness we could muster as it there was dark cloud & rain most of the time.
So, come the 25th there was just the 4 of us. The next day B & J came down from Hampstead, followed a day later by Paul & Robyn's clan - 4 bright lively children! Thankfully they could all stay in the next door house which BM kindly let them use. The children were very good even though a giraffe lost its ears - I know the fireplace is a silly place to leave it! P & Co. flew back to Australia yesterday (Fri.). They were a bit of a shock to my system but Pat took them in her stride.
On New Year's Eve there was just the two of us but I did miss playing silly party games with friends as we had done in recent years. I looked on the TV screen if I could spot our eldest 2 on the London Embankment as a interviewer tried his best to ask questions of folk in the crowd: "Where are you from?" "Leeds" "Oh, very good...", as he hurried on to ask the same question to a girl a few yards further on. Not the most enthralling part of the programme. Needless to say it was impossible to see our two in a crowd that was 30 or more deep. There were plenty of "Ooooohs" and " Aaaaaahs" as the fireworks went up over the London Eye. Mayor Ken must have spent a good few 1000 pounds entertaining his council tax payers (as well as those from Sussex, Leeds....)
Now what to make of the beginning of 2008. As so often occurs there is misery created on a large scale, this time in Kenya. Today I hear that 250 000 have left their homes frightened that their neighbours will come to attack. That food, medicines, blankets, shelters and water are now urgently required. That the economy is suffering. That vital trade of food and fuel to Kenya and its neighbouring countries is already badly affected. The work of TearFund is already affected by people working in an aid centre being fearful of going out to a local market to buy food as they can hear gunshots in Nairobi. Prayer is needed for the folk there, that they will be kept safe; and for leaders, that they will come to the right decisions that will lead to peace & stability once again. People in Nigeria are writing web logs today - let's hope that people of influence here in the UK will read, and be able to act on them.
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