Review of 2020

Well, 2020 has been a strange and very different year for all of us. As we sit here writing this, we feel very fortunate that, unlike some, we have not been affected too badly by the pandemic and are still fit and healthy. When we look back at some of the things we have done this year, we realise that a lot of these things would never have happened, had it not been for Covid-19. Although a lot of our plans such as holidays, the kids' annual theatre show and Adam's middle school leavers events were cancelled, we have still managed to make some positive memories this year. 

During February half term (before Coronavirus struck) we had a lovely few days in Bristol, celebrating Fee's mum's 75th birthday. 

On Mothers day we went for a lovely walk at the Swiss Garden near Biggleswade, to see all the daffodils in bloom.

In March, Brian's mum celebrated her 80th birthday. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to visit her so, instead, the kids made a birthday banner and we waved it for her as she stood on her balcony.

We got into quite a lockdown routine, with the weekly clapping for carers and virtual pub quizzes, as well as home-learning for the kids (which was a bit of a struggle at times) and our daily walks.

After 2 months of lockdown, Adam

desperately needed a haircut (didn't we all?!),
and Lucy was quick to volunteer. She actually did quite a good job!

For the 75th anniversary of VE day, we had

a socially distanced tea party in our front gardens

with all our lovely neighbours.

We also entered the 'World Backyard rolling Championship' (doing eskimo rolls in our kayaks on dry land, in the garden). Unfortunately, we didn't make the medals but had lots of fun giving it a go!

Once outdoor sports were allowed 

again, Lucy and Fee took advantage
of the beautiful sunny weather and
went kayaking.

Fee joined Gareth Malone's 'Great British Home Chorus' and, along with hundreds of the other choir members, now features on a CD which made it to number 1 in the classical charts.

In the summer holidays, we had a lovely weekend with Fee's Auntie Isobel, in Dunbar, Scotland, followed by a few days in a static caravan in Blackpool. The weather wasn't great so we ended up playing lots of Uno in the caravan but we managed to get out and see the Blackpool tower, eat fish and chips, and go for a couple of cycle rides.

We also had a lovely week with Fee's mum in Bristol, and Adam also got to finally experience part of his birthday present (Wakeboarding) at a local outdoor watersports centre.

September saw Adam starting Upper School,
which he seems to be enjoying so far.

It was also

Lucy's 16th birthday. 

She wasn't able to have a big party, 

but fortunately, meals out with up to

6 people from different households 
were allowed, so she and a few of 
her friends went out to a local 
pizza restaurant for the evening.

In October, we finally got to catch up with Fee's brother and family (we hadn't managed to see them when we went to Bristol in the summer as they had been to France and therefore had to quarantine for 14 days).

Since March, Brian has been working from home, with just the occasional day in the office. He's been out on several Search and Rescue missions (which have obviously still been going ahead, despite Covid) and has continued with his running.  Fee was working on a rota system during the first lockdown, going into school to look after the keyworker children, and working from home setting work, phoning families etc the other days. She went back for the last 2 weeks of the summer term, teaching a bubble of eight year 1 children and, since September, has been back to work as normal (well, the new normal anyway).  The kids have carried on with the majority of their activities online; we've had Scouts challenges galore and they even performed and recorded an online murder mystery play with their drama group.

Fee's mum is coming to stay for Christmas, and we're hoping to see Brian's older brother and his family too, but it doesn't look like we'll see many other people this festive season. Let's hope that we'll be able to make up for it next Christmas.

We hope you all manage to enjoy your Christmas, despite the restrictions, and we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Lots of love from us all. xxx