2016 - not the best year perhaps but could have been worse

2016 has been a tragic year on the world news and political front, a year when satire got overtaken by reality, extreme right wing attitudes have gained ground and at the turning of the year many of us are holding our breath and hoping for sense and common humanity to re establish itself.

For us too it hasn't all been smooth going. It has been a year dominated by journeys back and forth to the vet with Emile who at several points looked as though would lose a leg, I started the summer off in poor style with  two nights ( that's two nights too long) in hospital and  worries about the failing health of my mother have meant some lost sleep.

But as we come to the end of the year there have been lots of plusses to look back on and we continue to count ourselves so lucky to be here.

Although we moved into an already converted house since we came each year has seen at least one major home improvement. This year it was the bathroom which got an upgrade, we even got the work done by someone else!

My passion for patchwork continues and at the end of April I took part and exhibited in my first patchwork exhibition - a great sense of achievement. I was also elected onto the committee of the patchwork association so feel really part of things.




My little trip to the hospital turned out to be less serious than feared and although it took me  a while to get back properly on form has now been put in the experiences I would rather not repeat.

 And top news of the year of course is Emile is fit and well and still has four legs. He is now enjoying his freedom to come and go and is of course totally unaware of how lucky he has been.

Our life around music and dancing has got, if it were possible, even more busy. The folk'n'jazz association ( official this year) has grown in strength and diversity and is continually extending our social sphere.
Tonight we are spending new years eve with good friends and are looking forward to a French style celebration.

2017 dawns tomorrow, here's hoping for a more positive year on the news front. We have the French elections on the horizon - don't let me down France.

Fingers crossed in a few weeks we will officially become adoptive grandparents when the courts agree that my son can officially adopt his stepchildren - hope there is a party!

There could be another party this year too as we are waiting to hear about our French citizenship application.

Time for us to think about arranging a holiday to shorten the winter - Cadiz or Lisbon we think.

We have several visitors booked in already for the summer so all is looking good.

                    Happy new year everyone

                    bonne année et bon santé