Angenais

Christmas Letter 2005

MacDs in ENGLAND

Josephine had her cataracts done, so no longer wears glasses. Something she hasn’t done since she was seven.

Desmond’s birthday was a real treat – the Nutcracker in Cheltenham and lunch the next day at the Three Choirs Vineyard.

Main project has been purchase of a ground-floor flat in Barnes. Intend to move there when we can no longer manage stairs. Refurbishment took longer than expected, even with help from all and organisation by Frances. But that pink bathroom suit just had to go!

MacDs in FRANCE

Went out on Easter day as house had been broken into. Luckily very little taken. Frances drove us out and Edward back as Josephine had only just had her first cataract operation. We found we’d been robbed again on second visit in June – Birds had taken most of the cherries! In late summer we entertained friends and relations. Our final visit was to pick apples and pears and join the village Remembrance Day service and vin d’honneur.

We will soon have new neighbours as the Vivier’s property has been sold. New house spoils the view but will hopefully deter burglars, whatever their size.

MacDs in JAPAN

Hugh and Kaori married at a Shinto shrine in Japan in July. Hugh organised a fabulous trip for the entire family, all four generations with Kai in his buggy. We were met off the bullet trains and shown round each city by Hugh’s ex-students; our accommodation all pre-arranged by Kaori’s cousin. Kai was a great hit and happily ate anything Hollie gave him. The senior members found sitting on the floor difficult (particularly the getting up) and liked places that ‘cheated’ with a pit under the table for their legs.

Wedding was wonderful though sweltering, us in our suits and Hugh and Kaori in traditional dress. Temple complex included a restaurant where we enjoyed a six-course French lunch with French style chairs. Kaori’s parents laid on all sorts of activities, including a visit to Arita where porcelain was first made in Japan, and still is. Then a night at a spa hotel with hot baths on its roof. Our apartments were like a traditional small Japanese house, with several rooms, tatami mat floors and bamboo and paper partitions. Ours even had a small shrine. Kaori said they were similar to the house she lived in when small.

Kaori’s mother and aunt came to London in October. They stayed with Hugh and Kaori and apparently they all slept on mattresses on the floor, Japanese style.

Please take a look at the photos from our trip in the Gallery section.

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