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The Hive 2016

(For your eyes only, almost)

This year’s chronicle is modelled on last year’s – a ‘cut and paste’ job with minor amendments. Can you spot the differences? (Microsoft Word seems to think it’s written in French – you decide.)

As you may well know, the year was marked by small things making large differences – think: minds/margins, Brexit/Trump, gallstones/trip to Australia. Enough of the serious stuff …

2016 started with the usual bunch of New Year’s resolutions … stop there, see last year.

January whizzed by:

• meeting up with friends, having lunches out, etc. (Viv);
• scans, blood tests, consultants, ‘procedures’ (John).

They pulled the plug on their Australia trip with 2 days’ notice but the travel insurance did them proud. John’s sauna you’ll be pleased to note is still doing fine[1].

Good news, February was an unexpected free month - filled with routine stuff:

• Citizens Advice, French, walking, badminton, bridge, a Devon Girls reunion (Viv);
• gall bladder removal, resting, more resting (John).

In March, Viv finished the Thames Path Walk with three companions - completing the section through London - staying with and supported by the Pimlico daughters, F and H[2]. John returned to active duty at the Police Station to find it was up for sale; the fight against crime had finally been won. They saw the daughters when they all spent Easter at The Hive. Rain forced the traditional egg hunt indoors. (TMI[3])

April went well: an outing to see “Thomas”[4] on the Watercress Line with Ryan. They visited Jeremy and Issy in Jedburgh; saw the Falkirk Wheel and the Rosslyn Chapel[5]; before joining Roger, Hazel and spouses (spice?) in a secluded cottage in deepest Northumberland. John went to his annual Astronomy weekend (creating universes, black holes, whatever). Later in the month, Viv squeezed in a visit to Angela in Lewes (very nostalgic) before V&J went with the Wednesday Walkers to the Wye Valley near Hereford. John bought some (a few) books in Hay. As for John’s allotment … see last year[6].

And then May: too dull to mention (John) - the Police Station was bought by the local xxfiosa, they say. Family May Day at The Hive (whoop, whoop). London theatre outing (J’s birthday present from V!). Long weekend with St Hilda’s lady mathematicians et al. in Dorchester (Dorset).

June: did stuff. Like what?

• Viv: social month;
• John: completed year 2 Spanish class.

Finished on a high note with the visit of Pat & Maureen from Framingham, Mass. Together they all spent a day at Bletchley Park before P&Ms' departure to the Netherlands to pick up a transatlantic cruise back to Boston.

In July, they flew to France with Kay & John. It was full house at Le Pic: John and John and John et les femmes. Swimming, food, stargazing, jogging, jigsaws ... Viv’s birthday weekend was a picnic and an outdoor performance of JCSS[7] in Regent’s Park en famille[8].

In August:

• Viv met up with friends; visited the Houses of Parliament; walked with the WWs[9] near the Kennet & Avon Canal; with Jen by the Basingstoke Canal; with Sue P near the Thames at Cricklade.
• John volunteered as a ‘ranger’ at the National Trust, Basildon Park.[10]

The following month, Viv walked along the Thames again with Sue and Angela. She celebrated Ryan’s 4^th birthday party with family members on the 18^th (and noted in passing her 44^th wedding anniversary on the 16^th - ed.); and spent the last week in South Zeal with the Devon ‘Girls’ (ed.).

In October, Viv spent a weekend with school friends in Leicester and part of the following weekend in Reading Gaol (Hilary’s revenge!). At long last, John and Viv set off for 4 weeks in Australia. They started in Melbourne, drove the Great Ocean Road and onward to the Grampians. They flew up to Queensland to stay in Port Douglas; they snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef. Viv wanted to swim in the sea off Cape Tribulation Bay beach as she had years before but this was prohibited because of the risk to the local marine crocodiles.

Surviving October, they moved on to Rockhampton to stay with Max and Marg Littleton (Marg is Viv’s penfriend from Girl Guide days). A highlight of the trip for John (he didn’t encounter cows until a school trip to North Wales from Liverpool aged 10) who has now learnt how to brand, castrate, de-horn, and bid for livestock. Whitchurch critters watch out.

They flew on to Sydney. Where they:

• strolled through the weekend markets to the quays;
• attended a concert in the Opera House;
• walked The Bridge (low level only);
• visited the Blue Mountains;
• took the ferry to and swam at Manly Beach;
• trekked the coast path, spotting lizards, before
• taking the bus back into Sydney.

They boarded the Indian Pacific train to travel from Sydney to Perth (3 nights, 4000 km), via Adelaide. Great trip: free meals, free drinks, No Worries Mate...

From Perth they drove to Margaret River (of wine fame) and explored caves, forests, coastlines, and a link to Whitchurch (Woody Nook)! They returned to a frosty UK in time to host Ryan for a weekend while Lesley went to York to celebrate her and Luke’s birthdays.

The Whitchurch Bell ringers did their bit for the traditional Whitchurch Church Brass Band Concert at the beginning of December; the ringers were mentioned!

This year, Chambers’ Christmas will be celebrated in Pimlico for the first time.

Odds and ends for the record:

Viv

• badminton;
• walking;
• French;
• Citizens’ Advice;
• exam marking;
• bridge (the card game).

John

• running (even more slowly);
• swimming (warm water, no crocodiles);
• police volunteer (museum, no live criminals);
• Spanish evening class;
• bell ringing;
• National Trust Ranger – expect lurid tales thereof;
• working on his allotment;
• and attending astronomy/physics courses.

Lesley

• Started working at a doctors’ surgery in Caversham 3 days a week.
• Went on holiday to Framingham, Massachusetts with Ryan in August.
• Went to York for the weekend for her birthday.
• Dartmoor in April.
• Up Snowdon in September.

Ryan

• Finished at the Woodcote pre-school on a high – he won the “big Race” on sports day.
• Moved to a new pre-school in Caversham in September.
• Started going to dancing classes in September and still goes to swimming lessons

Frances

• Went ski-ing in January
• Visited her house in France in April, July, October and November.
• Her basement was flooded in June; repairs finally finished in November. Moved out for a few weeks during the Works.
• Started a new job (Ardevora Asset Management) in July.

Hilary

• Visited France and Sicily with Paddy.
• ‘Celebrated’ working 12 years at City & Guilds (1/3 her life – yikes!). Sorry, should read: Celebrated 'working' ...
• Working towards her Level 2 diploma in graphic design.
• Survived Glastonbury mudpocalypse.
• Continues to refine the home brew beer and cider.

The countdown to Christmas has begun: we wish you a very happy festive season and all good things for the coming year.

[1] The sauna – see last year, you have to keep the back issues – is in regular use and has a visitor list. You are welcome to join.

[2] Frances and Hilary – you knew that, pay attention.

[3] TMI – too much information; this abbreviation will appear in future newsletters and, incidentally (another word I don’t use every week, or in notes to the milkman), applies to most Facebook postings.

[4] The tank engine.

[5] Google it or Dan Brown (you know who) – or, better still, visit.

[6] Or the year before; or the ....

[7] Jesus Christ Super Star, nothing to do with John Chambers Super S...

[8] French touch there, courtesy of Microsoft Word.

[9] WW – Wednesday Walkers, Will’O the Whisps, ...

[10] More on this later, much more – maybe years more (cf allotments).