Well that was (almost) 2012!

And I made one blog post in the whole year!   

I did start off full of good intentions - perhaps to post something once a week, or even once a month, but, do you know what? I lost my blog. Something to do with getting a new laptop, and no bookmarks...

So the last anyone heard from me on here, I was just back from Singapore.   Would still like to go back, but while that's unlikely to happen, I did have a lovely week and a bit in Portugal with Jennifer.  Well it was supposed to just be Jennifer but coincidentally, Iain's ship was in Portugal just as we arrived, so he was able to come and join us for the majority of our holiday.  The weather was a tad on the warm side, so not a lot of exploring was done - mostly just pootling along the beach in the morning, siesta in the afternoon, and out for dinner in the evening.   We had a nice little apartment facing on to the square in Costa da Caparica.  That's the view from our apartment right there. 

The next trip away is to Holland in early March.

Well that was back in late August/early September.   A little earlier in the year Jennifer and I went off in an adventurous fashion to the great city of Sunderland, home of the Stadium of Light, and which just happened to be playing host, one rainy June evening, to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Did the rain bother us? Not a lot....a great night, and to be repeated this coming June at Hampden Park in the even greater city of Glasgow.  The Big Man (Clarence Clemons) was suitably remembered, and in his nephew, Jake, the band has a worthy replacement.

2012 was a pretty exciting year for the UK as a whole.  Between the Queen's 60th Jubilee celebrations, the Olympics, and the Paralympics, I had a smashing summer.   The highlight for me had to be Andy Murray winning Gold at the Olympics!  A bit sad that Roger Federer lost, as I am a big fan, but when the day of the final came, I supported Andy all the way.  I've been up and visited his gold post box in Dunblane, where I posted a birthday card to my sister.  She was well pleased.  Sorry I don't look my best in the pic, some people offered to take the pic unexpectedly.   

Much enjoyed watching the Jubilee celebrations from the comfort of an armchair, and feel a little sorry for those getting soaked on the Thames.  Still, it was a day never to be forgotten, and the rain didn't appear to dampen any spirits.

Just had a lovely family time over Christmas.  For the first time ever we went out to a restaurant, along with Eileen and family, for Christmas dinner.  Back to normal yesterday (Boxing Day) and had all the family (18 in total!) to us, where much eating, drinking and making merry was carried out.  As always, when it was over, I said - never again - but, you know what?  I probably will do it all again next year.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and that 2013 brings you peace and happiness.