Thursday, January 1, 2015

2014 ... what a year it was!

I'm sure I've left out some things, so apologies in advance if I have.  


January – we made a lot of day trips out to various places in Norfolk and Suffolk, including Ipswich, Southwold and the wonky houses in Lavenham (also home of the Harry Potter house)

February – Kevin was politely told the day before we left for our SA holiday that he had to look for another job, which kinda put a big damper on our trip. Nevertheless we managed to enjoy our two weeks in Jo’burg and it was sad having to say goodbye to everyone again.    Whilst we were in SA, Hayzel managed to drive over my foot and the black bruise on my big toe is still there!
When we got back from our holiday, we were also kindly informed that we needed to find somewhere else to live, as the owners of our house in Alexander Close had decided to sell it.  So February was a month of extreme changes in our household.

March -  Faye got her new Brownies uniform and did her Promise.   Ewan got Chicken Pox.
We paid a deposit to secure the house in LimeTree Avenue. A house twice the size of our place in Alexander Close.

April – Faye went on her Brownies pack holiday to Hallowtree Park in Ipswich.      On the 22nd April, Kevin started at his new job at Desira in Diss. 

May – what a month!   Faye had a school trip to Kingswood and a trip to the Norwich Castle.   We moved house towards the end of the month – having spent a good two months cleaning up the old place.  We received our full deposit back from our previous landlords, who said we left an immaculate house!  So full marks to us all for the hard work and thanks to Tim for helping Kevin with our move – I don’t think we will do it like this again though, it was very hard work.

June – Ally arrived here on the 1st to live in the UK permanently.   It was great having her here and nice that she got to the UK in summer time.      We went to Hemsby beach during this month Ally swam in the North Sea!   It was the Long Stratton Fun Fair this month – what a hoot.   Ewan had a school trip to Wroxham Barns.     Allyson had a lot of interest in her CV and interviews, she spent most of June getting herself organised and accumulating furniture and possessions.

July – Sports day at Manorfield and Ewan also had his name called out in the birthday assembly on the 11th Friday.   Faye had her sports day on the 14th.   Ewan had his birthday party on the 26th July at Hulabaloos and the kids started their holidays the day before his birthday on the 23rd.   The last three days of July the kids went to the Holiday Club at Faye’s school.  The Lord Mayor’s Procession was this month and we all went along (with Ally), it was an enjoyable day out, although Norwich has a serious lack of restaurants that cater for families!   It was also the local South Norfolk on Show this month and that was great fun.

August – the schools are closed the whole of this month  -so there was a fair amount of gadding about.  We did a few trips to our favourite local spot – Tyrrels Wood and also some walking in the fields, finding bits of old pottery and hoping to find some pirate treasure, or at least a Boudicca necklace … ‘twas not to be.    I took Ally and the kids to Caister on Sea but the weather was a bit crap, so we ended up having our picnic in the car!   We also went to Caister St Edmund with the rest of the family – that was very interesting.  I took the kids to Diss to see Alice in Wonderland outdoor theatre (wasn’t that great) and also to Shorelands Wildlife Garden (bit of a joke that).  We also went roller skating at the Leisure Centre on one day (well Ewan isn’t quite as much like a giraffe on wheels anymore but he still can’t skate!).  Faye had a Brownie excursion to the Norfolk Showground for the Norjam.   I took the kids and Ally to Fairhaven Water Gardens and also to Whitlingham Country Park on various days during August – both lovely days out!   Highlight (for me) was a trip to Snetterton Model and Toy shop … what a fantastic place!   We took the kids to see How to Train Your Dragon2 at the Castle Mall movies. 

September – Andrew went to India for his work and I think that was a real eye-opener for him.    Faye started her Cycle Proficiency course.    Jean, Les and Barbara came out to Norfolk and we spent some time with them all – I drove Jean and myself back to Wales, as I was going on another wonderful tour of the Scottish Highlands.   I posted a separate blog about that trip - it was fantastic and I won't forget it ever.  Faye went to the Big Brownie Birthday celebrations.  Hayzel and Ally went to the Reload 80’s music concert. 

October -    Ewan has been going to football every Thursday afternoon and will continue next term.     Faye started at ARTS and she also passed her Cycle Proficiency course.

November -  We went to watch the local fireworks display put on at South Norfolk Council in aid of the Church.     Allyson started at Hethersett Hall on the 17th November – she is being trained as a Care Assistant and is loving the job!   She had a tough couple of months and well done to you Ally for pulling through!   David has made his debut for Eastern Gauteng Cricket, what a fantastic achievement.  He also played a LMS tournie in PE before Christmas - so looking forward to hearing more on his cricket exploits in the new year.  Faye did a mini-concert at the Church in Newton Flotman with ARTS  - she was one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella.

December – lots of Christmas Fairs and things on the go throughout the early part of December.  Most notably (for me) was the stall we had at St Mary’s Church fair – we didn’t really sell much but it was an interesting exercise.     Ewan and Faye both had their Christmas plays (at school) on the same day and it was magical going to see them both.   We posted a courier to SA with small goodies for Christmas for the famdamily back in SA.  I highly recommend PostBox Couriers, thanks Toni for putting me on to them.   We took the kids to Banham Zoo on the 21st to see Santa.  Christmas was different this year, because we now have Ally here and it was nice having a full table.   It's getting harder and harder though to see everyone on Skype at this time of year and I found it particularly difficult this year.   My little grandson in South Africa doesn't really know his Nana but he still manages to smile and laugh at Ewan and Faye and it's so delightful to see his face light up when he see us.  He's starting to utter little words now and wave, blow kisses to us ... what a lovely little boy he is.  


I know that 2015 is going to be a wonderful year (of the sheep) for everyone  :) 
(Again, sorry if I left stuff out).

No comments:

Post a Comment