Winter / New Year 2009

Well, hasn’t 2008 been an awful year. And I can’t see that 2009 is going to be much better. Recession, recession, recession is all we seem to hear about these days but no one seems to be prepared to take the blame for it. Those of you who can afford to watch TV will have seen that over the past 10 years, every other advert on the box has been trying to lend you money – no wonder the banks are in trouble if even they couldn’t stick to the ‘only spend if you can afford it’ rules. And to say that Gordon Brown is our saviour, well, you are talking rubbish. That man taxed us to the eyeballs and then spent it all on  unprofitable and inefficient schemes – he even sold the family silver and now has nothing to fall back on!

Whatever, lets stop being political and concentrate on family affairs. Isobel and I are very happy here in Cyprus – despite the fact that my pension has dropped in value by 30% because of the exchange rates.  Isobel has taken over as social and general secretary of the local bowls club while I tell her what to do as its chairman – well, I like to think I can anyway. We love our bowling and are both competing in the Cyprus nationals this year – let you know later in the year if we get anywhere. I also get involved with Cyprus Rugby (mainly Paphos Tigers) and have had an approach whether I can stand as travelling medical officer for the Cyprus National side – we’ll see. Apart from that we are both active in village community life and love every minute of it.

Back in the UK, Rhian, Guy and the boys are doing well –  we talk to her virtually every day using Skype so are completely up to date with things there (I can recommend you linking up with Skype – we have regular  free video chats with family and friends as far apart as South Africa, Florida and the USA. If you do, my Skype address is flyingdoc5). Gareth and James are a grandparents dream – good at everything they do and a pleasure to talk to – perhaps it is a natural grandparental privilege to ignore the naughty bits. Gareth at 6  is a born swimmer and can already do virtually every stroke; he can do 20 lengths without losing his breath. James at 3 years is already up to 7 year old standard. Rhian has already been approached by high level trainers about both of them but is naturally reluctant to impose heavy training schedules on children before they have had the joy of childhood – again, wait and see.

Richard on the other hand is struggling. He was made redundant as a HGV driver last July and despite trying everything he is still out of work living on a pittance; there’s no welfare state in that respect. So if any of you have any  jobs to offer …………………….

Christmas has come and gone – our first out here in Cyprus. We enjoyed it very much, had an open house on Xmas morning, attended more parties that we can remember - and didn’t have one hangover. Plans for next year are vague, but as it is our Ruby wedding in February we plan to do a long haul holiday to celebrate, not sure where or when yet. I am planning a visit to Dublin in February to watch  England being beaten (????) and Rhian and the boys will hopefully be out here Easter and Summer.

So what are you all doing this year? The invite is still wide open for any of you who want to visit Cyprus and apart from the air fares there will be little for you to spend on. We have bedroom space for 10+ and can organise car hire very cheaply – probably even cheaper now that the Cypriot tourist industry has come to a grinding halt because of the exchange rates. So what are you waiting for – give us a call.

That’s it for now folks. I have written and manage 9 websites so my  2 typing fingers have to be diverted to  the Bowls Cyprus website for updates on the nationals (have a look at www.bowlscyprus.net if you are interested). I will probably aim for a late spring website update here so until then:

 

Blwythin Newydd Dda  or Happy New Year

Barrie and Isobel,          (Click here to visit the picture page)
5th January 2009