You have probably seen or heard of the quite appalling winter weather that has descended on Britain recently. In Scotland the east has been worst hit. Moira lives in Edinburgh, so I’ve had “on the scene” reports! The children missed school for over a week. That sounds silly when the school is very near its whole population – but not so silly when the snow is lying more than half a meter on pavements…..
The children are hankering to be “back to work” now!
In the North West we have been quite lucky. One small fall of snow melted a little and then froze over. So drives and pavements were pretty lethal, but the roads were salted and not a problem. Then another fall made getting around here quite tricky! It was very picturesque, however!
Sam and Catriona too, spent quite a lot of time here in the summer – that was wonderful. The rest of the family came for Regatta and John was up and down in his new car too.
Sam had decided that medicine at Edinburgh University was for him and he went into Halls in September. He calls in at home regularly – when his laundry needs done I suspect! He’s enjoying life. Sam was 18 yesterday – I wish I had been at the birthday tea – Indian requested. He has exams next week, so he went off to do some more revision – after the birthday cake was demolished! His Granny is very proud of him!
I’ve been having treatment for bowel cancer all year and I’ll finish completely by April. I am well and have been assured that the treatment will have removed every vestige of the cancerous cells – wonderful. I am looking forward to ending my last chemo block of tablets in just over two weeks – Yippee! The cancer (very treatable) treatment has lasted nine months to date and will finish, with me hale and hearty (my consultant assures me) around March. I have felt very well throughout – I‘m lucky!
I know some of you have known for a while that John, at 43, died suddenly on September 13 while at work as a joiner in Edinburgh. He had never had a day of illness in his life. I am still in shock, as is Moira, who was very close to John and saw a lot of him in town.
He was here a couple of weeks before for three days when we toured around in his marvellous car, talked a lot and enjoyed the lovely summer sunshine and for that I shall be eternally grateful. John was a thoughtful, wonderful son and Moira and I miss him daily…
From May next year I’ll be welcoming self catering or B&B guests, four days to a week being the preferred booking. Do get in touch. Heron’s Flight, Ruah and I need company! All my details are on www.heronsflight.org and “the Plockton Web” self catering section of Accommodation.
Ian and Alison (Toowoomba) are going on a quite short round the world holiday and they have invited me to join them in Paris for some days. I do not see them much, naturally, so Paris will be a special time for us, at the end of April.
I hope 2010 has been a good year for you and that 2011 will be the same.
Ruah and I will spend Christmas with Moira and the family (weather permitting). I expect we’ll be home before New Year. I know you will understand that Christmas card writing is just too difficult and from now my electronic greetings will take over.
Ruah would join me, if she could write! in wishing you Seasons Greetings and the best of good fortune for 2011.
Best wishes
Ann
