Then and now Not many years ago we somehow managed to hand write dozens of Christmas cards and get them off to all corners of the globe in good time. Then came computers and email which presented the opportunity to postpone season's greetings until well into December and still get something out on time. The trouble with this approach is that the deadline creeps up with alarming speed and before you know it Christmas is here and not a word has been written to anyone! In 2003 we missed out altogether, which was very embarrassing, so this year we were determined to do better. Our sideboard is covered in cards from you, our friends and family, and our inbox is full of ecards and newsletters. It's lovely to hear from you all, so let me now return the compliment with our contribution from Sydney. N.B. Click on photos to see large versions and click on underlined links to see associated photos.

At the end of 2004 we find ourselves with Karen & Theo Renard and family in residence for the next couple of weeks, following a brief but very enjoyable visit from Neil & Nicky Maclennan and their children, en route to Nicky's sister in New Zealand. This is very reminiscent of the same time last year when we had Alistair Mitchell, Ian & Sarah Maclennan and family, and Yves & Fiona De Kalbermatten and their three children to stay. For one night only, all of them were here at the same time and we had a record 13 people sleeping under our roof! A memorable occasion indeed (see photo - only Granny Annie is missing, she was still asleep).

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2004 - in review In January, Jimmy (the cat) caused considerable consternation with something slippery he brought in to show off to his Mum and Dad and Granny! In February we had a surprise flying visit from Mike Gomersall and a more leisurely visit from Bob & Sandra Millar. In March we celebrated Mum's 85th birthday at a very nice seaside restaurant. Unfortunately you can't see the panoramic view of the beach and the sea in this particular photo, but I can assure you it's superb. The food was good too!

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In April we started the process of revamping our street garden. Away went the old "nature strip" (an Aussie euphemism for overgrown unkempt jungle) and in came a carefully designed and beautifully constructed "designer" replacement (check the big version of the photo). Gerda planned the whole thing from scratch and with her usual persistence and tenacity made it happen. It has since become a local talking point and the envy of our neighbours and passers by. I can claim some credit, but only for digging lots of holes - occasionally with good grace! Much more credit should go to our friend Heather McConachie whose weekend weeding activities put me to shame.

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In June we had more visitors - old friends Bob & Daphne Paterson who were over from the UK to see their son. Then months went by when nothing much happened (not true, but I'll not bore you with detail) until my birthday in September. On that auspicious day, the King Protea that we planted during our garden revamp came into full bloom and we celebrated with an excellent lunch at one of our favourite harbourside restaurants.

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Gerda's birthday in October was marred by the loss of our little Pippy (on left of photo) a few days earlier. She had suffered from kidney problems for several months (a common problem in middle aged cats) and we knew it was only a matter of time. We kept her going for as long as she was free from pain, and as soon as she started to show signs of suffering we did what we had to. Very sad, and her brother Jimmy has still not entirely given up on the idea that she might still come back one day.

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As many of you know, Gerda has suffered for a long time with arthritic knees. Her mobility has declined to the point where the only real solution is to have the arthritic joints replaced with titanium ones. This is scheduled to happen on 18th January and it will be at least 8 weeks thereafter before she is fully mobile and able to drive again (better sell your shares in Warringah Mall!). Knee replacement is a very common procedure these days and the expectation of success is close to 100%, so whilst it's a daunting prospect the results are keenly anticipated. Her objective is to be able to have a game of golf again - something that is completely out of the question as things are now.

Mum is in the pink. These days her universe is largely bounded by bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and lounge, with excursions up and down stairs to the garden and pool side on hot days, and occasional trips to Warringah Mall with Gerda. She sleeps a lot and is seldom up and about before noon. Once she has been fed and showered it's time for afternoon sport or movies on cable TV. She looks forward to me coming home from the office because that is the signal for her to have a glass of something bracing! Whilst she doesn't get out much any more, because she is not so steady on her feet, there is never a shortage of visitors and she enjoys the passing show. Her application for a permanent Aged Parent visa was turned down on medical grounds a few months back but she is entitled to stay with us indefinitely as she has been adjudged unfit to travel. At age 85, Mum is now the oldest living member of my family after the recent death of my Aunt Ethel Mitchell at age 94 on 7th November.

At one stage we intended to visit South Africa in 2005 but that idea has been superseded. We are now planning a holiday in April 2006 to coincide with the next Camps Bay School reunion which Gerda and her Cape Town friends Nel and Pam have agreed to organise for the last time. This commitment also keeps me occupied as I am the builder and maintainer of the Camps Bay School Reunion web site and former pupil database. Based on the level of interest generated by previous reunions, as soon as we formally announce the date and proposed venue in the next week or two I fully expect a burst of activity.

Please don't be offended if we have forgotten to mention someone or something important. It's merely the consequence of "senior moments" - an increasingly common phenomenon as the years go by!.

That wraps up another year and all that's left is to say..

Greetings and best wishes from us all,