2015 cemented, celebrated & consolidated...
It wasn't going to happen; this missive that is! But, I relented in time... simply because this last year cannot go unlogged. It has been a very good year - I may prefer the use of the word - Vintage!
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| Not every day you get to appear in front of a Judge! |
And it all began back in November 2014! We booked flights out to California (with B.A. who I swear I will never fly with again! But that's another story!) We were destined for San Fran where we were hoping to acquaint ourselves with the city for the best part of a week & then do the Big Sur! But, our plans were much bolder than that!
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| Our Wedding Day |
The City Hall of San Francisco is a fine elegant building, designed to withstand earthquakes & whatever else is thrown at it. It is also the hallowed spot where the first gay wedding took place in the U.S. All made possible by heroic people such as Harvey Milk... And it was to this end that we pivoted our visit across the Pond! April 7th 2015 after 23 years together we sorted out our legal bit of paper! And actually that's all we did! That's all we wanted a piece of paper.. but what a back drop! For Mark it was also being on site for a wonderful Honeymoon! Who wants their mother-in-law on honeymoon?
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| Mum amusing herself. |
When I broke the news to mum she was overjoyed & said she would have to come! Well, we actually did need a witness! And who better? This is mother who had said she was never going to fly again! Now about to go half way round the world... I suggested that she would never ever, undertake such a life times holiday ever, unless she did accompany us - it was done! We booked an apartment in San Fran for the best part of a week - hitched ourselves in the middle of that week, before we explored with mum the Yosemite, some of the coast line and Santa Cruz. We then packaged mother-in-law tearfully off, back to the UK - she had been complaining about being in the back of the Mustang with the lid off! And I think she was at this point both exhausted, not least due to sensory overload but also the pace!
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| Everyone needs a chauffer! |
Goodbyes done we cranked up the pace! And then we were off down the Coast on Honeymoon! (So, I finish here with Cali !) Except to say, it took a lot of planning & hours spent on tripadvisor etc! But, it was well worth the effort and surpassed our expectations!
We did have further celebrations when we returned; to amass all the outlaws and friends @ Stanley Palace. The surprise here was to all, Mark included! I had arranged that an 'old' priest friend of ours would bless the rings and also two contemporaries of mine from Theo College days would also be involved... It was a lovely occasion & it meant that others could share in our newly found status!
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| The first bedroom almost finished! |
As ever, the year has been punctuated with foreign skimishes both in France and Italy... After many years of DIYing in France (in Cottage No2). We were finally able to spend a night, sleeping most comfortably in a white room; on a new bed! This was a major mile stone! In fact, it is a result of a good deal of work on the cottage this year! The bathroom is almost finished too! The plumbing and the electrics (with the exception of the Consumer Unit) all done!
Does this man ever work? - I hear! Well, yes! The usual supply teaching role.. save that this year, I did a long term cover for a teacher in the School where I also serve as a Governor. Hilarious, when we got to our Californian trip! The head teacher had to get a 'supply' to cover for a 'supply' - as we were out of the country for 3 weeks. School was totally engaging & as ever it ended in tears - mainly mine! You do get attached to a class! It was also lovely working alongside colleagues.
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| On the ferry returning to Blighty! |
Mother, despite her dislike of airports also accompanied us out to Italy - where we enjoy holidays now: in the Palazzo! She also came out to France to make an 'inspection'. And to finish off the 'holidays' we stole some sunshine in Nov staying at the villa but also enjoying a sojourn into 'The Eternal City' for a few days to mark Marks birthday. We surprisingly were able to undergo our plans to visit The French Embassy, though under even tighter security, (in the wake of the terrible events in Paris). It proved a much more emotional visit than anticipated!
Work continues for Mark at Barclays, now with his team firmly established - but it's always at a pace and with long hours of commitment! But, suffice it say, he finds it stimulating!
At the time of going to press, I have got in place four future breaks! So things ain't going to change in 2016.. but it can't be as good as 2015 - surely!
So, it remains, to wish you and your loved ones every blessing and good wishes for 2016!
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| Yosemite is awesome! |
