Here goes with this year's summary of events. We did one last year, but no-one remembered to
send it to anyone (a lucky escape there).
This is all being typed on Ruby's PC which Grandad bought her last year
(but Dad uses mostly, especially for occasionally working from home,
acquiring pornography from the internet (no not really, just a Gary Glitter joke -
and I've NEVER been to Florida!!)).
So here goes:
January
Steve had his brothers and other halves plus kids
(if appropriate)
came over for his birthday and he spent all Saturday afternoon cooking a curry for them.
Deirdre moved offices at work and got absolutely exhausted trying to co-ordinate everything.
February
Steve re-elected to the committee for Barcombe
Bonfire Society (BBS).
This basically means that he's still getting roped into activities to raise money to buy
fireworks for the big night (see November). These include running bars, a coconut shy,
a summer fete and designing the annual badge:
May
Both of us help out at a BBS disco by working behind
the bar.
It was in the fire station social club, and the bar area is rather small, but we managed.
July
This year Steve's cousin Sue was 40, so we all
trekked up to Suffolk for a party
in Middleton village hall. The Jarvis brothers' reputation preceded them,
and the local landlord informed us that he'd got in extra stock so he wouldn't run out.
(Luckily, he didn't.)
A week in Tenerife went down well.
August
Ruby spent a week in Norwich with Mark and
Debbie Burrell and their three
children. (Mark and Debbie came to visit us in Australia in 1991.
He is a GP and had been working in New Zealand.)
It was the first time Ruby had been away from us for so long, and she had a great time!
September
Ruby's third year of school, unsurprisingly
named Year Two, begins.
October
Our friend Linda arrived from Australia for a
few weeks. We went to France,
staying in Bed and Breakfasts around Normandy.
One of the highlights was seeing the Bayeux Tapestry.
Ruby went on the BBS coach to Newick bonfire night, and in the car with Deirdre to Fletching
bonfire night.
Steve's employer was taken over by BMRB (you may have heard of them as they used to do the
Top Twenty), which is part of WPP. So far nothing has really changed,
but we're still waiting for things to settle down.
November
As usual the most important thing this month
was Bonfire.
Both Lewes' and Barcombe's nights were great successes.
The main tableau (built by Steve's brother, BJ) was called New Labour, New Potato,
and was Tony Blair dressed in a lab coat, being attacked from behind by a mutant (GM) potato
creature. Falling into a stinking ditch at the fire site did nothing to dampen Steve's
enthusiasm, and a thoroughly good time was had by all.
Barcombe blew up a French flag and a cow, in response to the French refusal to sell British beef
(although I have to say I can see their point!). Barcombe also caused a furore by exploding
several effigies, one of which was taken to be the local shopkeeper (which upset him and his
wife somewhat).
December
A busy time, as usual, what with parties,
Vanessa's birthday and
Cliffe Bonfire Society's annual dinner. Deirdre's work do was at the Grand Hotel in Brighton (the one the IRA bombed in the eighties). It snowed all night, which made for a very pretty view out of the window, with the pier surrounded by snow. The following day we all had a bit of a sledge on the hill behind Mum's house - a first time for Ruby and Deirdre.