Doreen's blog

17th Jan 2013 - now aged 68 and almost 69.
Still working part time with Family Lives and also volunteering with them.

We had 2 weeks in Madeira in the summer at our Timeshare apartment there and it was very relaxing - looking forward to a return visit this June.

Painting at a gallery in Funchal

Doors are painted in the artist quarter, Funchal

Ray looks at a well sculptured front door

Paul planning to return to UK and train as a primary school teacher.

Paul & Noriko in Hawaii

He and Noriko hope to move this summer or next so changes happening soon.

Steve has a new job and that seems to be better for him after so many years in SS where stress levels always too high and rising. Steve & Teresa's 3 children fine and working hard.

Rianna now 21 and finishing her training for primary school teaching at Bristol uni. She likes it there and has made several good friends and a boyfriend there and hopes to continue to work and live in the area. She had a great time in SA where she and friends did teaching practice followed by a safari.

Rianna abseiling down Table Mountain in SA

Rianna (7th from left) and friends in SA

Aislinn and Kealan doing fine - now in a fencing club where they fence each other! Super kids

Helena almost aged 10 - doing great in her schoolwork and also has horse-riding lessons with her aunt and continues to gain awards for her karate.

Her Dad, Paul,now teaching her English in Poland from Japan via Skype.

Peter and George, my twin brothers, had a birthday on 15th Jan - age 66 now.
Went to see La Boheme with Peter for this and we both enjoyed it.

George stays out of touch.

Kev at Angel of the North

Met up with his son, Kevin last summer on his first visit to UK since emigrating to Australia with his parents when he was aged 7. He enjoyed visiting local places and remembering some areas from his childhood. He was keen to see The Angel of the North and we also saw the gun from the battle of Trafalgar that his granddad had made a model of. Kev's grandma sent it to him after his granddad died.

Kev with one of the 4 guns from Battle of Trafalgar at Collingwood's monument at Tynemouth

Kev was very close to his grandparents and it was sad for him to leave them in UK when the family emigrated. He's a very keen motorcyclist and hired a bike while here. Kev's Mum, Rita, also visited later with partner Martin and it was good to catch up after many years. Rita's sister, Eileen, had recently been married and we also met her new partner, Mike.

I continue to keep well - my operation was 9 years ago now - I've been very lucky to recover so well.