Christmas Letter 2018

greetings to everyone, and a very happy and hopefully healthy new year.

It’s that time again, and l have quickly scratched my head to try and retrieve what we have been up to this year.
As usual, we have had quite a hectic time, and before you ask, NO we haven’t finished the house as yet, although we have moved in, and enjoying every minute of it.
After working quite hard on the house in January, we took the opportunity to scoot off to the Caribbean on a 35 day cruise, away from the murky damp west coast of Scotland. The price had dropped dramatically, so we couldn't resist the temptation of the warmth and relaxation. And it was exceedingly enjoyable, we walked every day, read copious amounts of books, learnt to play bridge again, went to talks, ate lots and met up with old friends. What was more enjoyable was the knowledge that we were missing the horrendous weather.


On our return we obtained our habitation certificate and moved out of the flat and into the house. All the main living area was complete, only had the kitchen to finish off. Yet we still have the ground floor to complete, along with the lower level cladding.
Managed to finish the cladding and get all the stud walling erected and fitted downstairs before we dashed off again in May. Fortunately, we were able to sell the flat before we headed away from the rain. Heading to France for the first time in three years and wondering what we would find, especially as it had been virtually empty for that amount of time.

The grass was tall enough to hide tigers. But within two hours it was all cut back to a manageable length. What was more surprising was that the lawnmower started on the first pull, amazing.
Met up with all our friends, ate a great deal, but offset the effects by walking most days. It was fantastic to be back, although l wouldn't want to live there any more.

Judith decided that we shouldn't just work every hour available on the build. So she kept organising days away, and the odd cruise. Another deal came up for an autumnal break in Canada to see the colours of the fall. As we don’t fly any more, we managed to get a package that took us to and from the States on the QM2 and a two week cruise on a Celebrity ship to Boston, Newfoundland and Quebec. Truly magnificent, yet some of the views were just as spectacular in Scotland.

We are heading South at the beginning of December, popping in to see my sister and some old friends before visiting a couple of Christmas markets in Amsterdam and Hamburg. Another last minute cruise deal.

We often visit Glasgow for the odd night or two, take in a movie, a museum or gallery and an odd restaurant. Since living up here we have found Glasgow to be full of hidden treats, and Being an old retired crinkly we get free bus passes. So we hop on the bus in Dunoon, This then boards the ferry to Greenock, and then takes us into the centre of a Glasgow. Fantastic way to travel whilst reading the daily Metro.

The house is looking good, the main living area is virtually finished, just need to make the doors and draws for the kitchen and the odd bookshelf. At long last it’s finished enough to have friends visit, to share our wonderful views and experience the beauty of Argyll.

Lots of love and a very Merry Christmas
Philip and Judith. Grassy Bottom, Wyndham Rd, Innellan, Argyll & Bute, PA237SH
Tel 01369830064, Mob 07934109744, Email bestpep@hotmail.com