I admit we do get the occasional, hysterical ripple, in spite of having no Co-op bacon slicer to watch. For instance, the musical chairs game I told you about, at Catfield School- remember? Head on tour; everybody else move up one. Well the show was held over for another year, so Valerie is full time until next summer, by which time she’ll be the riches woman on the orthopaedic ward) but the acting head thus finding herself over-experienced, underpaid, and with no security of tenure, has landed a full headship elsewhere (looking after No1 and all that- fair’s fair) and starts next term, so the governors are seeking a new acting head. Valerie is prepared to take the day to day running stuff but not the burocracy. Two governors will do that on a part time voluntary basis- all the politicking, policying, financial planning, maintenance machinations and such. I feel this show will run.
ohn is now well into his first year at university and loving it. The university work is going well (allegedly) plus the nice little earner to finance his involvement in Rock music via local radio and rock club- he writes reviews of gigs for their web site.
Miriam is…just as much as ever. She still soaks up knowledge like a Vileda mop soaks up water. She takes her mock GCSEs between now and tinsel-time. We went to an open evening at Notre Dame, in Norwich, recently; they have 6th form language college status now- The only one in East Anglia. Languages is what the lady wants, and Notre Dame is where she wants, after having gained a very good, all round impression, and positive responses to enquiries among staff and students.
he’s still swimchro-ing, of course. She came home recently, full of having ‘cracked ‘ her inverted vertical. My suggestion of Boracic ointment did not amuse. Picture this: upside down, in the water, visible only from knees to toes, pointing up, legs together, slowly rotating, on the spot. I don’t remember Esther Williams doing that.
iriam and Heidi did the Great North Run, as mooted last year, and finished in two and a half hours. I couldn’t go; it was too early, but at half term we visited David and Heidi in Cheltenham, and had a lovely week dipping our toes in the Cotswolds, in Laurie Lee’s footsteps.
y trade wasn’t so hot starting up this year- less than half pay, early on, thanks to foot and mouth in the country, and foot in mouth at the Broads Authority. They’d put out a lot of panic publicity, and when the panic was over, they didn’t bother to fetch it in again. \clear water and rare weeds is what they do best. Coping with reality is beyond them, I’m afraid. Trade did improve when tempus tucked her skirts in her britches, save for the ‘freeze frame’ on Sept.11th. Everything seemed to comatose for up to a week. Then people roused themselves, and got on with the hunting and gathering, reaping and sowing… and spending their holiday money. In fact, I finished at 27% down on last season, that having been the best ever, by large lumps, so I can’t grumble, plus a bit of trade ‘over the garden wall’ since closing the studio, and there’s the exhibition to come, so I still won’t be needing a proper job.
hristmas last year with our new increased family was absolutely great! We knew those boys would need something absolutely different, and by golly, they got it. It was quite a treat for Grandpa too, having all his grandchildren round him. Diane and Heidi worked hard, as well. Although nothing had been said, they obviously knew what we were about, and they very subtly ‘leaned into the corners’ as it were, keeping the sleigh up to speed, and working just as hard to make it the very special and gloriously happy Christmas that it was.
his Christmas they will honour their other family ties, so we will be just Valerie and me (the staff) Miriam, and John briefly over Christmas, before shooting off to Newquay for New Year (friends on the Coast, don’t you know?) and Grandpa. But then, with wrapping paper scraps still lurking under the settee, pudding plates, trifle bowls and port glasses barely cooled in the dishwasher, and half the labels still to be cut out of the new clothes, we’ll be off up to Simon and Dianne for the New Year, hopefully joined by David and Heidi. Now that will be an experience for Valerie and me- just like a holiday.
here’s a feeling of things starting, but not quite, as I begin preparing for the exhibition, sorting out pictures and frames, planning the layout, printing invitations, seeing to advertising and working a bit of free publicity. The Christmas card and this letter would wait a couple of weeks yet, but at that stage I wouldn’t cope. Then on Dec.1st, the Christmas books and music come out, and I start clearing the lounge and dining room for the exhibition the following weekend. It’s such a luxury to take a whole week to hang, instead of the two hours at away fixtures. There’s even time to indulge in a measure of Christmas; mostly foliage and berries, with a little bit of shunkle. Then, with the exhibition itself, there comes a feeling that, way out of sight, up the mountain behind you, there’s an avalanche of events just begun with a very faint Whumph! And it’s coming down fast, so start running now! Christmas shopping, advance cooking, school play (The Grumpy Sheep- Show of the Year!), Miriam’s birthday, Christmas tree and decorations, last minute card deliveries by hand, check wine stocks, pudding and cake (both last year’s) and it seems that only a breath or two later, we’re coming up for air in a maelstrom of the wildest sort of peace on earth and rollicking good will, junketing, carolling and merry musick, and the porcelain babe sleeps on in his balsawood stable, on it’s candle-lit shelf, over the inglenook, and it’s Christmas.
From Valerie and Neil, Miriam and John, and Phoebe- a very happy Christmas.