Hi friends, as we’re heading out of this unbelievable year, I thought I would share a few thoughts with you.

WINTER

The last time we were out of the UK was in winter 2019, to Denmark and we can’t wait to go back to see our pals.

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Ed built the new summer house last year and finished it in time for Christmas 2019. It became our saviour during lockdown and has been many things since, from a party house and a gym, to a sewing room and a laundry. Like the rest of the world, we never imagined what we would be dealing with this year, so here’s a few reminders.

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A year ago, our daughter held a great party with her pals in the summer house. We were at another party just down the road and came back at midnight to see in the New Year together, not realising it would be a long time before we could all be en masse. We miss all our lovely friends. This year it will be the three of us.

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SPRING

The spring saw Abi come back from London to live at home, and fortunately able to work from her computer. Before she left London, her company asked everyone to send pictures of where they were working from. Abi and her housemates obliged.

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Ed carried out lots of work around the house and the weather was glorious. I cooked and sewed and gardened and wrote. Made masks for friends and family (some couldn’t work out how to wear them!!) We went cycling together, and met some new friends on our journeys. We had outdoor drinks with our neighbours – each bringing our own glasses and bottles and standing the required obligatory 2 metres apart. Our local DIY heaven, Finbows Yard was closed at the beginning of lockdown much to the distress of all the men in the area. Luckily now open again.

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SUMMER

My brother had two major operations – this was a really tough time as we weren’t allowed to visit him. Fortunately, he came through both ops and is recovering well. God bless the NHS. Another brother managed to keep his business going and pay his staff, thanks to the furlough scheme and my sister lost her job but managed to find another one.

During this period, we were able to visit friends and family which was wonderful. I even managed to get to Thorpeness beach on my birthday (albeit a stony beach, but hey, it was a beach!).

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We gained a new puppy Lola, who is delightful and very active! Our other little dog Polly, who is 12 is not amused at all. Lola seems to grow by the day and is getting huge.

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AUTUMN

We managed to book the Leaping Hare in Wyken Vineyards for Ed’s birthday – a lovely evening with great food. As the summer madness came to an end, the spikes started to emerge. So along came the tier system. Our plans to visit Europe moved further into the distant future. The orange man was voted out and the Irish man was voted in. Only in America!

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WINTER

Christmas this year was quiet but one of the most peaceful, relaxing times we have had. We were able to dine out just before the next tier came into force at Maison Bleu. The food is superb, and the closest we could get to France this year – Bon Appetit!

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So here we are, full circle, New Year’s Eve upon us and we are still awaiting our escape. Fortunately, with the vaccine just around the corner, the world will, hopefully, start recovering and we will all be able to see our friends and family once more.

We wish you ALL a better and kinder year and hope to meet up with you sometime in 2021.

With love and hope – CHEERS!

LOLA GOT BIGGER

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