It hardly seems a year since I wrote my last Christmas message (I sound like the Queen here), and quite a lot has happened since then.

My uncle, Reuben, died suddenly in January. I know a lot of you have had bereavements and other problems but they do not seem to affect YOU personally until YOU experience them.

On a happier note, I have had three enjoyable holidays this year:-

• Firstly for a week with Alison my younger sister, my cousin Linda and her daughter Charlotte in County Wexford. I had an enjoyable time even though I visited more shops than I normally would!
• I then immediately went for a week at Ballyshannon in County Donegal with all my family, including Johanne who was home from Morocco. We all had a good time, but I think that the scenery is more dramatic in the north of Donegal.

• My final holiday was spent with Alison and her fiancé in northern France. This was very nice and although it was rather late in the year (latish August) it was still hot. The attempt to boom planes leaving Heathrow happened while we were there and the security at ‘Charles de Gaulle’ airport was quite dramatic.

Talking about Alison and Mike, I am really looking forward to their wedding on the 27th of December.

I also went to the Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle for my 40th birthday in July and Castewellan Agricultural Show. Many thanks to all who were able to come to my Birthday party the next day. It was a (pleasant) shock rather than a surprise!

One bit of other news is that Dad has sold the old farmhouse, the farmyard and about 16 acres to a neighbour who had sold his ground for a housing development. This will make very little difference to me as I didn’t visit the old house, the yard or the land very often!

My normal week is usually predictable but never boring (much better than work anyway!):-

• Monday - I go to the ‘Manor Day Centre’ in Lurgan and spend most mornings on the computer (forwarding silly e-mail jokes as many of you know). In the afternoon, I go to the gym to work on my muscles at Brownlow Leisure Centre.
I get home from there just in time to watch ‘Deal or no Deal’!
• Tuesday – I spend at home and watch some daytime TV (I am addicted to ‘house’ programmes) and use the computer. Often we would go somewhere either for ‘business’ like the chemist or for ‘pleasure’ like the Mourne Mountains.
• Wednesday – back to the Manor Centre for a full day (well until 3.30pm anyway)!
• Thursday – in the morning I use ‘Direct Payments’ (Government money that you can use for a variety of things RATHER than going to a day centre) to go to Craigavon Shopping Centre and the gym. In the afternoon, I watch TV, use the PC or ‘chill’. Oh it's a hard life!
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday are usually spent at home doing ‘home’ things.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that I am having a permanent holiday at your (the taxpayers) expense. I would love to be able to walk around; fit enough to work; and not have sore heads from time to time.

However, all things considered, life is good!


Merry Christmas and a Merry New Year

(Again!)

Andrew