Willliams Family Newsletter
Spring time in Dublin and Paris
I sit before you following a trip on the Thames Ditton model railway to Santa’s Grotto, Owain’s first visit to the Grotto, and Santa wassurprisingly reluctant to deliver Owain more snow for Christmas. His elves had been very busy clearing the track and Owain would have to do it himself next time if he wanted more snow. Apologies for no newsletter last year, that would have involved writing about Morag’s 40th birthday and she didn’t want me to mention that.We look back on a busy year, a year of two halves; that before and after David’s redundancy from Royal Bank of Canada. Our first major event of the year was trip to Dublin for the Wales v Ireland match, with Nain installed as baby sitter for the weekend, and David being on a corporate jolly, a wild weekend of Guinness and craic kicked off with David spending 5 hrs in ophthalmic A&E with an eye problem. Nothing too serious and a free bar the following day meant the rugby was largely forgotten, (and Morag managed to fit in a manicure and some shopping!). We did manage to catch up with Lisa & Phil from Wales in the evening and many other friends in the bars of Dublin. David was too fragile to visit the Guinness brewery the next day.
As Easter approached, we planned a trip to Paris to visit the Thakur family for Vijay’s belated birthday celebrations. Once again we managed to find a great restaurant on the way down and will be sure to stay in their tree-house room next time we visit. Vijay had arranged a wonderful dinner cruise down the Seine and Owain seemed to behave himself for the French baby-sitter. The following day, over Sunday lunch, Owain successfully tried snails and came back for more. The Gallic influence has subsequently seen him become stroppy and prone to tantrums but speaking in a German accent does get him to do as he is told (but only occasionally).
Running and decorating
May Bank holiday saw both David and Morag take part in the Bupa 10k race through London, rising over £300 for CLIC Sargent. David’s time was slightly slower than last year and Morag achieved a respectable time for a first attempt (which means I beat him! M).
The early summer saw the next phase of the house redecoration, tackling the hall-way. A slap of paint turned into a re-wiring, re-plastering and wood-worm treatment money-pit epic, with us spending a month sitting on deck chairs. The final result is truly lovely now the new floor is installed. We hope to welcome you sometime to see the results (please leave your shoes at the front door)..
Summer surf in West Wales
The hot and balmy weather of June made us look forward to our summer hols in West Wales, staying in the holiday barn of our friends Huw and Kate. It was lovely as parents and friends shared the experience. Needless to say the weather broke not long after we arrived but it was still good for Wales. Owain really enjoyed running around on the fantastic beaches, though the waves and social life were both a little quiet for Bethan; thank goodness there was a mobile signal. Dai, Gail and Geraint joined us for part of the stay and the kids enjoyed running around the old farm yard and the dads enjoyed playing air-guitar at 1am (until the teenager complained about the noise and sent them to bed).
We returned home to fine weather and David starting his gardening leave from RBC. David has used the summer to get out on his bike in a literal, if not Norman Tebbit sense, clocking up a great number of miles. Indeed, before the job ended, he had started commuting the 16 miles to work a couple of days a week. There is a lot more lycra in the Williams’ household than Morag is strictly comfortable with. (Dave is now a fully paid up member of the Mamil club (middle aged man in lycra), M).
The summer remained busy as we managed to join Bill & Alison camping in Berkshire. Owain thoroughly enjoyed the nights under canvas; luckily some novelty glow sticks enabled us to track his night time movements away from the campfire. Another weekend saw us visit Dunsford Air Show; it’s unclear whether David or Owain enjoyed the aeroplanes and cars more.
The break allowed David the opportunity to attend a couple of days of the Women’s Rugby World Cup where he was pleased to catch up with Diane and Mette. With the new rugby season starting, David has been using his extra spare time to referee additional games midweek and has seen his referee performance improve accordingly.
Cycling, rock climbing and exams to come
After 10 yrs together, Morag finally relented and bought her own bicycle and might actually consent that she enjoys it (in small doses, on the flat, with a pub at the end, M). In September we both took part in the Prostate Cancer Tour of Britain stage in London. 20k around docklands was an enjoyable jaunt, even though Morag missed the turn off and had to do two laps which weren’t as bad as she thought. The strain was to prove too much for Dave’s bike which died a few weeks later.
Owain remains in nursery school where he really enjoys his swimming lessons, he was very disappointed to see his best friend, Thomas, leave to start school; especially as the school is next door and he sometimes sees him through the fence (he is desperate to go there!). Whilst he is off work, David has been having Owain at home 2 days a week which is providing added incentive to get a new job.
Bethan turned sweet 16 this year and is now working hard towards her GCSEs in the summer, despite the academic schedule she still manages to push the limits of the fair usage policy on her unlimited phone text package. Despite being very busy at school she has developed a new hobby this year, rock climbing and is still a keen beekeeper; we are expecting some exciting mountain honey at some point in the future (if not as a Christmas present). She also has a keen interest in drama and was the stage manager for Oakham School’s main production this autumn.
It would be easy to dwell on the immediate misfortune of unemployment but looking back it’s been a fun year and there is plenty to look forward to next year, including become an Aunt and Uncle again as Lynn and Tom are expecting a baby in February. Hopefully we will be able to catch up with more of you in person in 2011
David & Morag
