This year I made it to my three score years and ten. I hit 70. A milestone. Initially very hard to cope with. Now I’m embracing it. This is my Year of Ray.

I began towards the end of last October by buying myself a new car. A wee red Fiat 500, my Nippy Sweety, has been with me for most of this special year, and boy has it covered the miles….9000 to date. Two trips to London and the south, one to John O’Groats and places in between, and many trips around the central belt. I LOVE my wee car!!

I carried on my art development through my wonderful class with Hazel, Jack, Jacqui, Iris, Robert, David, Chris, Fiona, Cathy, Alison, Noriko and sooooo many others. The crack is amazing and of course we do cover a lot of art during our three hour classes. I have been drawing consistantly and loving it.

Two trips to the lakes in March and July offered me the opportunity to meet Fell Ponies. What a joy! Their wildness is tempered with being with people who choose to go and find them in the most wonderful setting of Caldbeck Common.

Late in July both Joan and I decided to get onto a diet to challenge the weight that had amassed over the early months of the year. We did it. Weightwatchers points helped, and now we have both managed considerable weight loss consigning two sizes of clothes to charity and buying the smaller sizes we can now fit in. The reflections in the mirror are much more pleasing!

August took us south to see family, Cheltenham to spend precious time with Joshy Leo Grasnt and Kat. It was a trifle HOT, a mere 35 degrees, summer weather that did not venture to our neck of the woods! It was delightful to feel fit enough to take the boys to the park, set up a tent and enjoy their very special presences. Kite flying was memorable!

We headed across country through too many roundabouts making us dizzy. Eventually we reached Peterborough where we caught up with Joan’s brother Keith and his wife Brenda. Later we spent a hilarious evening with Joan’s nephew Andrew, his wife and their daughter Poppy in a delightful venue where church bell-ringing was being rehearsed. And yes the weather was still very very warm.

September began with the most awful weather, and we cried for the loss of any kind of summer as we seemed to be travelling at pace towards autumn and maybe even winter as this morning’s frost indicated. The roof on the Sitooterie collapsed under the onslaught, of too many rain shopwers and is awaiting repairs. The gutters and fascias are due for replacement soon and we are already considering thermal curtains and heating possibilities for the near future.

HOWEVER, my main aims now are to increase my fitness and keep up with my regular daily walks. I’ve set myself a goal to walk parts of the West Highland Way, and maybe even manage a weeeee bit of running. Joan is due to have her other knee replaced soon and plans to get back to playing a bit of golf when she’s fitter. Good job we kept the clubs and trolleys and didn’t send them to a charity shop!!

It’s been a difficult time with mum, but her new care team set-up is proving to be hugely beneficial. She has lost a lot of independence but still retains her amazing spirit and love for her family. She plans to beat the Queen and get past 97, and I think she may well do just that!!

Next year is a bit away yet, but many adventurous times lie waiting to be uncovered, not least a visit from the man from OZ!!