New Year

We have reached that time of year when
it is normal practice to look back at the year just gone and look forward to the year just about to start.

The BBC website has two excellent clips
reviewing lives lost this year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16299678
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16287679
Such video clips may bring on nostalgic
feelings as many can relate in some way to some of those who have died over the last 12 months.

Having grown up as an avid Dr Who fan (and still am today), I feel sadness at the loss of Nicholas Courtney and Elisabeth Sladen, two people, who, in their respective roles in
Dr Who, played a significant role in my childhood.

Many who have direct links through the loss of family members on 9/11, will note with significance the death this year of Osama Bin Laden. The Arab Spring saw many changes
in the middle east. With the aid of the NATO intervention in Libya, this brought about the death of Colonel Gadaffi.

On a more personal note, I look back on 2011 with very mixed feelings. Having being diagnosed with Diabetes at the start of the year, I learnt as I looked into this illness that I had had some of the associated side effects for some time. Tiredness, thirst, several trips to the loo especially during the night, problems with feet, and side effects that men suffer that women don't (to try to put this delicately, this is down to biological differences between the two genders, needn't say any
more).

Many doctors surgeries ask that when you go see the Doctor, you can only make an appointment for one problem at a time. This discouraged me from seeing a doctor as I had
a list of what I thought were minor ailments that I could 'cope' with. At the start of the year my blood sugar levels were 14. Apparently, quite high. May saw this down to 9.6. August down to 9.3. I am now waiting for my next results which I find out next week which will hopefully be nearer 6. So, diet has been extensively reviewed and currently on plenty medication. The 'plus' side of diabetes is free prescriptions, free yearly eye checks, and I get a flu jab next week.

As a family, we have spent a lot of time in hospitals this year; one of our children spent nearly a week in hospital at the start of the year with a very bad migraine.
Medication now seems to be bringing this under control.
My better half had her gall bladder removed and is now enjoying food that would not have agreed with her before the operation.

We have had some personal difficulties this year which has knocked me for six in some ways.

Back in September, I had an interesting day out to Birch services on the M62 motorway, westbound. A fuel protest had been taking place and the car park was full of motorcyclists. As I was slowly driving out of the services back on to the motorway, traffic was 'stop start', Near the exit, I was stopped behind a lorryist. Now, a couple of years ago, I did a speed awareness course so was aware of the principle of “Tyres and Tarmac” - leave enough of a gap between you and the vehicle in front so you can see his rear tyres and tarmac between you and the vehicle in front. So, I should have been (and indeed was) visible in his rear view mirrors. For sure, the long line of traffic behind this lorryist was visible in his rear view mirrors. The donkey lorryist decided he must be in the wrong lane (for those familiar with this service station, one way out for cars, one way out for tall vehicles). A genuinely simple mistake to make; however, when reversing it is customary to check rear view mirrors. Result: no human injuries but one written off VW Touran with about £5K of damage. To top it off, he drove off without leaving details. Police
enquiry still pending.

On a more positive note, I am extremely thankful that we have been able to develop relationships with family in Australia, especially my cousin David and his lovely wife Carol. We have had the great pleasure of having their son Adam spend lots of time with us over the last couple of years. The wonders of the internet and SKYPE have contributed greatly to this situation. In
September, I travelled to London with Adam to meet up with his sister Ashlee on her first trip to England. This was certainly one of the highlights of my year. Thank you Adam. Thank you Ashlee.

It would be wrong of me not mention the friendships we have developed with Heather and the very funny great fan of Unicorns, Kierren !

Those who know me well know that Family History is one of my hobbies. Again, thanks to the power of the internet, I was found by a third cousin, Allana, living in Perth, Australia. We have been able to swap photos and info. This has given me many lines to chase up – thank you Allana !

In ancient Rome religion and mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, gates, doors, ending and time. He is usually a two-faced god since he looks to the future and the past. Janus gives his name to the month of January. So, as I look forward to January 2012,
I am glad to see the back of 2011. However, I have plenty to look forward to in the coming 12 months.

In March, hopefully, we can spend some time with Cousin David and his better half, Carol, as they hope to visit England around the time of their 30th wedding anniversary and Carols birthday.

Adam has started a project for his grandfather, my Uncle Alan, which will be a trip down memory lane as to how his home town of Stockport has changed over the years. Specifically, areas that Alan and my mum would have known. Not sure how this project will end up looking, but no doubt it will be excellent. I hope to contribute in some small way to this.

Looking forward to see how my new found extended family in Perth bears fruit.

A scary thought that, at the end of this school year, we will only have one child at school. I feel old !

Well, at the end of 2011, and at the end of my first attempt at blogging may I wish you all a very happy New Year !