New Year Party

Last night we hosted the New Year Party of "Nota Bene", a small choir in the village which we belong to and which sings at Christmas, Easter, Harvest and other special occasions. We set up three long tables in our dining room and borrowed 20 plates, dishes, wine glasses and cutlery from the Village Hall. Jenny cooked the hot dishes and members brought salads, puddings, cheese and biscuits and wine. Four rounds of "Beetle" whetted appetites for the main course, then we had a twenty questions quiz, followed by the puddings and a crazy game where everyone had to bid for everyone elses' "presents" wrapped in gift paper so they did not know what they were. After the meal members divided into three teams, each given the task of writing and rehearsing (in 30 minutes) a short murder sketch, to be performed in front of the other two teams. Extra points were awarded for use of props, costumes, music and singing. The results were amazing, inventive and hilarious but I was so busy awarding points that I forgot to take photographs of the performances. The photo I do have shows Pat demonstrating how to fold a napkin so that it looks like a large mouse and then make it jump up and down.

A Happy New Year to all

Best wishes to everyone for a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2010. Did you see the New Year in with a party, bells and fireworks at midnight? We hope so. This year we had to go without a party as three days ago I had an operation on my right hand to correct a Dupuytren's contracture (see photo) and was still feeling a bit too delicate for noisy fun and games. But we had a lovely night in together, watched two excellent British films on BBC2 TV and shared a bottle of sparkling wine. At midnight we listened to the chimes of Big Ben on the radio and opened the window to see and hear the fireworks going off in the village. Now we are looking forward to an exciting 2010.

A Happy Christmas

Our younger son Ben is married to a lovely young lady called Claire and this year Claire's parents, Monica and David, invited us to spend Christmas with them at their home in North Devon. Also present were our grandchildren Thomas and Sophie and Claire's grandmother, who lives nearby, so there were four generations. After all the presents were opened on Christmas Day (and there were a lot!) we settled down to a splendid Christmas feast which included a large and delicious Christmas pudding made by Monica. Then we played games, including Monopoly using "credit cards" instead of bank notes. On Boxing Day morning we all went a long walk along the rugged Devon coastline, then it was time for more games, family fun and food. We had a great time - thankyou Monica and David for inviting us.

Mercy Ship in Tenerife

Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers as the Mercy Ship, MV Africa Mercy, recently sailed from the Republic of Benin, West Africa to the safe haven of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The ship encountered none of the pirates now operating off West Africa and had only three days of rough weather. Our elder son, Olly, his wife Sally and their three children live on the Africa Mercy - if you want to see what they are doing in Tenerife log on to www.peetfamily.org.uk

Nativity scene

Last Saturday saw the unveiling of a nativity scene which I have carved out of a large block of stone over the last year or so. About six weeks ago I built the finished scene into the wall at the bottom of our drive and concealed it behind a wooden notice board I made specially to fit the stone. Now the notice board is off and people are invited to see the nativity scene and make a donation to the charity CRISIS if they wish. At night its lit by three small battery lights and a candle but its not easy to get a good photo at night! The notice board will go back on again after 12th night.

Pirates

On Monday next, 8 December, the biggest charity hospital ship in the world, "The Africa Mercy", sails out of the Port of Cotonou in the Republic of Benin, West Africa. For the last 10 months the 400 strong crew of unpaid volunteers have been bringing hope and healing and free health care to the people of Benin, a country with few doctors, dentists or hospitals. Our son Olly, his wife Sally and their three children, Noah, Anna and Libby are among the crew. Unfortunately pirates are now operating off the coast of Benin and two weeks ago the Ukrainian engineer of an oil tanker was shot dead and another crew member injured in a failed piracy attack just 14 miles from Cotonou. Please pray that the Africa Mercy and all her crew pass safely through the West African seas. Photos show part of the Africa Mercy and our family in a traditional West African canoe.

If you would like to know more about the work of the charity "Mercy Ships" log on to http://www.mercyships..org.uk/

First frost of the winter

Today, 1 December, we woke up to the first frost of the winter. The thatched roof was frosted, the pond frozen over and the summer plants damaged beyond revival. But the frost did not hurt our winter flowering jasmine, with its lovely little yellow flowers. Frosty weather makes a pleasant change after the wind and rain of the last two weeks - some parts of the UK recorded their highest ever rainfall and several bridges were swept away by floodwater.