Happy New year 2012

Decided that one of my targets for the year is to go back to our Blog and update it on a monthly basis. Will try and let as many as possible know so if you feel so inclined you may want to pop in and see what we are up to.

Well Happy New Year to all and sundry would appear to be a good place to start and a quick update on 2011 which was a good year all in all albeit somewhat of the curate's egg.

I (Marion) started extensive dental surgery virtually as soon as the Christmas/New Year celebrations were over. This was to continue over many months until in June it was all finally completed and I could smile again - as well as eat other than soft foods. During this time Michael visited our GP as he had been suffering again with his angina - his original visit being at the end of January he was fitted with a new stent at the end of March, a process which took some 8/9 months in UK. He continues in good health.

A few days before he went into hospital we returned to UK to attend the wedding of Sarah and Alan - a lovely occasion and we were further blessed by the forthcoming arrival of grandaughter Abigail - our tiny miracle. She made a very shakey start into the world when Sarah was rushed into hospital at 28+ weeks with pre-eclampsia and was confined to Addenbrookes until Abigail's arrival at 31 weeks 2 days on July 21st at the weight of 2lbs 10 ozs. Obviously things were a little tense for a while but Sarah slowly regained her health and Abi proved to be a real little fighter and was soon transferred to West Suffolk Hospital SCUBA ward where Sarah had better access to her and home. Both are progressing well and Abi is a delight thanks to her parents' good parenting skills.

I continue to fly to UK on a regular basis both to visit Mum (who is delighted at being a Great Grandmother) in her nursing home and visit the new baby.

We spent a delightful week in the UK returning the week before Christmas. Alex came up from Portsmouth, Steve and Rachel from Reading and we all met up, 4 children with their partners and 3 Grandchildren, celebrating Christmas together albeit 2 weeks early! We even timed it well to take in Charlotte's stage school show as well as Tom's first school nativity play. I know it seems impossible but he is now in reception at school and becoming very grown up. We had a fantastic time in all but were glad to get back to our little nest although Michael came down with a wicked cold virus on our return and I followed within a few days so our Christmas was not as merry as it might have been but we still managed all but 1 of our scheduled events. We are both now recovered and looking forward to 2012.

We saw the New Year in at a black tie 'do' at our local hostelry with friends and thoroughly enjoyed the evening and saw the New Year in in Spanish tradition with 12 grapes and a glass of Cava.

This morning we awoke and started our new healthy regime. Having had to 'adjust' Michael's suit for the New Year's celebrations he is joining me this year. We started off with a bit of Zumba and this afternoon walked down to 'La Vida' for a quiet drink with the dog. A 40 minute walk away the return trip is good exercise and the scenery is wonderful and as the weather is sunny with temperatures of 20+ was a lovely 2 hours. Not sure if we will hear much from Tiffy tonight except the occasional soft snoring.

We never tire of the scenery or lifestyle out here. Another busy week this week but not an unusual one. We have a local quiz Monday and another Tuesdays (although it isn't this week), we have been invited for drinks at La Vida on Wednesday by the proprietor, Thursday finds us out at Bowling for the Christmas celebrations followed by a celebration meal at one of our favourite local restaurants in the mountains with excellent views. Thursday evening is Whist evening! We will spend Friday and Saturday catching up on housework and shopping.