All set up at Salignac
Dear All,
Another year and another missive! But where is all the snow? It was so beautiful last year but hard to remember without looking at our pics. We had all the family here for Christmas which was lovely.
After recovering from the cold and snow we decided to go away later this year and departed these shores at the end of March towing our trusty home on two wheels behind our not so trusty car (as it turned out!) on four wheels to run down through France and then into northern Spain. (You know Richard – got to keep moving........)
Well the France bit was OK till we got to Chartres and the car was broken into and most of our winter clothes and some expensive camera kit disappeared into the French black economy.
Janet says even an hour spent with a very good looking French detective did not recompense for several days spent getting the back car window replaced and trying to find a camera that wouldn't drive R mad with frustration due to its creative and technical limitations.
Still onward and literally upward. We were travelling over the Gavaudan when the car gave up on us, just as we were overtaking and making ill advised derogatory remarks about a very ancient motor home which was struggling up the hill at about 20 mph. Of course it had to be Janet driving and her wail of despair “it won't go” heralded another potentially expensive few days, finding out what was wrong with it by using our limited language skills to sceptical French mechanics and deciding whether to get it fixed, since meanwhile the fault appeared to have righted itself.
Still we decided not to chance it by going on into Spain and spent the remaining two months in France visiting places we hadn't been to before and some we had, at a more leisurely pace, before returning at the end of June, having enjoyed a very hot sunny French Spring.
Back home Richard got involved with a group trying to persuade somebody/anybody to bring broadband to this rural hinterland of Norfolk! With success - it should be available in Spring using the local school's broadband. He has also set up our website www.woodses.co.uk containing lots of info you don't need to know, writing a blog and keeping the local bureaucrats on their toes!
We're spending this Christmas and New Year with the family and then planning - the Euro being willing - to do the Spanish bit of our tour this coming Spring – this time with a newer bigger car!
The grandkids go from strength to strength. Molly is in her last year at junior school and proving to be very musical and into crafts. Martha is athletic, winning gold medals in cross country running both at borough and London level while excelling with her school work. Sarah and Pat are finding their week-ends curtailed by providing the taxi service.
James is in his final year at Long Road sixth form college, Cambridge doing a photography course and is not sure where to next. Kate and Julian have had a tough year. Julian lost his sister a year after his Dad and they both been very busy at work but they both keep smiling!
That's probably about it. Olly is still very busy trying to track down those elusive deer and pheasants that he “nose” are around here somewhere!
Have a lovely Christmas and brilliant New Year.
Love from the three of us!
Sarah's family pictures and news at http://www.hayward.uk.net/
Another year and another missive! But where is all the snow? It was so beautiful last year but hard to remember without looking at our pics. We had all the family here for Christmas which was lovely.
After recovering from the cold and snow we decided to go away later this year and departed these shores at the end of March towing our trusty home on two wheels behind our not so trusty car (as it turned out!) on four wheels to run down through France and then into northern Spain. (You know Richard – got to keep moving........)
Well the France bit was OK till we got to Chartres and the car was broken into and most of our winter clothes and some expensive camera kit disappeared into the French black economy.
Janet says even an hour spent with a very good looking French detective did not recompense for several days spent getting the back car window replaced and trying to find a camera that wouldn't drive R mad with frustration due to its creative and technical limitations.
Still onward and literally upward. We were travelling over the Gavaudan when the car gave up on us, just as we were overtaking and making ill advised derogatory remarks about a very ancient motor home which was struggling up the hill at about 20 mph. Of course it had to be Janet driving and her wail of despair “it won't go” heralded another potentially expensive few days, finding out what was wrong with it by using our limited language skills to sceptical French mechanics and deciding whether to get it fixed, since meanwhile the fault appeared to have righted itself.
Still we decided not to chance it by going on into Spain and spent the remaining two months in France visiting places we hadn't been to before and some we had, at a more leisurely pace, before returning at the end of June, having enjoyed a very hot sunny French Spring.
Back home Richard got involved with a group trying to persuade somebody/anybody to bring broadband to this rural hinterland of Norfolk! With success - it should be available in Spring using the local school's broadband. He has also set up our website www.woodses.co.uk containing lots of info you don't need to know, writing a blog and keeping the local bureaucrats on their toes!
We're spending this Christmas and New Year with the family and then planning - the Euro being willing - to do the Spanish bit of our tour this coming Spring – this time with a newer bigger car!
The grandkids go from strength to strength. Molly is in her last year at junior school and proving to be very musical and into crafts. Martha is athletic, winning gold medals in cross country running both at borough and London level while excelling with her school work. Sarah and Pat are finding their week-ends curtailed by providing the taxi service.
James is in his final year at Long Road sixth form college, Cambridge doing a photography course and is not sure where to next. Kate and Julian have had a tough year. Julian lost his sister a year after his Dad and they both been very busy at work but they both keep smiling!
That's probably about it. Olly is still very busy trying to track down those elusive deer and pheasants that he “nose” are around here somewhere!
Have a lovely Christmas and brilliant New Year.
Love from the three of us!
Sarah's family pictures and news at http://www.hayward.uk.net/
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