Our year has revolved around water activities and the men of the family moving to new schools in September.

The Easter holiday was devoted to restoring the Enterprise to get it ready for the Chichester Cruise at the May Day Bank Holiday. This proved to be a great weekend . We all had a good time and Laura got buried in the sand. On returning to Itchenor where we had launched we had to be towed in by Malcolm and his motor powered Wanderer as the tide was against us

Over the summer holidays the kids had the Fun Week at the sailing club and then our usual fortnight at Bala Lake.The children became very interested in snorkelling on holiday and we also met up with Malcolm from the sailing club at Abersoch. where he towed us behind his speed boat at great velocity and we also saw seals very close up.

Andrew moved on to Vyners school in September and seems very happy. Sadly Andrew has left Scouts but continues to go sailing and lifesaving. He was thrilled to win the recent sailing club junior Regatta with Laura coming 3rd

He was 12 on December 9th and had an early celebration with a trip to Silverstone to watch the Network Q Rally and to do a spot of karting.
His pride and joy at present is his Subaru radio controlled car He went with his friend Nick to Blast
at the Apollo Theatre last night

Laura has recently been on a Brownie Pack Holiday to Cherry Green Trees near St Albans. She continues to swim for Forward Hillingdon and has gathered a fair collection of trophies over the year for sailing and athletics as well as swimming. Laura has also joined the Breakspear school choir and has taken part in several concerts. She has also taken part in the CBBC Millennium trailers s we are looking forward to seeing her on TV over the holiday period.

The children were both in a lifesaving competition earlier in the month against Brent, Andy and Laura were in Hounslow B and came in 2nd to Brent A. I felt sorry for the lifeguards who act as casualties and had to be "rescued " 28 times! One poor chap will be black and blue the kids hauled him out of the water and dumped him on his midriff across the corner of the pool wall!!

Ian is finding Heathfield School for Girls quite enjoyable apart from the fact that someone reversed into his new VFR 750 motorbike on day 2 and he has been enlisted to organise the school's Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. This involves him going on courses and some weekend expeditions.
He and Andrew visited Brands Hatch to watch Carl Fogarty in the World Superbikes.

I am still at the same Practice 2 days a week and have been on various courses. I went on a Radiation course and Ian a Person Management course the other week, we can't help thinking we should have swapped.

Sadly Ian's Dad Roy will be spending the holiday period in hospital due to a recurrence of his throat and chest problems.

I hope to take the children up to Mum's in Colwyn Bay and I expect we shall have our annual visit to the Panto at the North Wales Theatre

Author: Jane Fielder Updated : 5:15:50 PM,  Wednesday, 22 December 1999