Nicholas took a year out before University, so his year was spent working for a Sound Engineering company. His work ranged from concerts with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to going on tour with groups such as ‘Steps’ and the ‘Cartoons’, he was even spotted lurking on the set of the Big Breakfast television show. He also spent a lot of time working towards an Instructors certificate in Skiing, and even went on a five day course to Austria, the week after they had those terrible avalanches. We were worried, but they took sensible precautions and had a wonderful time. Nicholas was lucky enough to be accepted for a degree course by the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (Patron, Paul McCartney), so the summer was spent organizing accommodation etc. He has settled in well and really enjoys it. He applied for a scholarship which was on offer and was shortlisted to the final six. We should know this week whether he has been successful or not.
Stephen and myself had a fairly quiet start to the year. Time being taken up by my studying, Stephen decorating the hall and planning our summer holiday. This was a major exercise as Stephen wanted to do some more flying training in Florida. When we were in Kissimmee we stayed at a time share complex. It was close to all the sights etc but was still very peaceful. Luckily for me it was only a five minute walk from the local shopping Mall, so that when Stephen was doing his flying training I could go and look at the shops, or go swimming or just relax and keep cool in the room. It was also nice that there was a craft shop in the Mall and I was invited to join in their weekly needlework group, which meant I got to meet some very interesting people. We did manage to do a little bit of sight-seeing and revisited Epcot centre, which is my favourite Disney theme park.
Kissimmee accommodation
We went for the last two weeks in May and stayed for 8 days in Kissimmee (near Orlando) and then had a driving holiday to the Florida Keys coming back via Miami and the coast near Cape Kennedy. Because of a problem with the weather a Shuttle launch had been postponed, so that it took off the morning we were in the area, and yes, we saw the launch from our bedroom window, it was absolutely spectacular.
Incredible luck to witness a shuttle launch
The second week we drove down to the Keys and stayed at Key West. There are a lot of Alligators in Everglades, but what an experience to see them. Key West itself is very brash and touristy, but it was fascinating looking round the old quarter.
As far south as is possible in the USA
When we finally got home I thing we needed a rest to get over the holiday. But Stephen is now allowed to fly at night and has another level of instrument training.
Whilst this was going on Christopher was at home looking after the house. His turn came, when he and two friends went off to Barcelona for a week. They came back exhausted, but with no sun-tan. I don’t think they were out during the day very much, but the night life was good. Chris is in his second year at Weston College and hoped to apply for University this month. He has also bought a Fiat Uno and has started driving lessons. This autumn he also changed his part-time job and now works for Burtons in Weston-super-Mare, which he really enjoys.
The sad part of the year came in the summer, when my Grandmother died, she was 89 years old and had been quite sprightly up until having a fall and going into hospital. I saw her a couple of weeks before her death and she was longing to go back to her flat. She never liked being away from her home. The funeral was a very sad occasion, but it brought so many of the family together.
Both Stephen and myself are busy at work at the moment, the pressure never seems to decrease. However we keep ourselves focussed by planning our next holiday. We are going back to Cyprus in the spring staying at the Amathus Beach, Limassol (I know, very posh) and hope to be able to catch up with quite a few friends from the ‘old’ days.
Stephen has just replaced his car – the Carina he brought back from Cyprus. I have still got my Cyprus car. This time Stephen has gone up-market and got a Volvo S70 Automatic. I still haven’t driven it, but I will soon, otherwise I can’t drive home if we have been out in the evening, and then Stephen can’t have a drink.
At the moment we are not planning anything special for the Millennium, but I suspect that the boys will be out with friends, so it could be very quiet for us. We are beginning to show our age. Next year is the start of a special 18 months for us. It is our Silver Wedding in November 2000 and Nick will be 21yrs in Jan 2001; followed by Chris’s 18th in June 2001. HELP !
Luckily it is also the last year of my MA course, so that by next November I will have finished my studying. I wonder how long it will be before I decide to start on something else? Somehow I think I have got the studying bug, but I might have a rest for a year or so.
Anyway I had better close for now, as I am trying to get everything done for Christmas during a few days off.
We hope that the first year of the New Millennium will be a happy, peaceful and successful one for all our friends.
