Mandara House News 2013

Well what a year it has been, all going along tickety boo till last Friday and I managed to get my left foot caught in the Italian handbag  shoulder strap (bought in Rome last Christmas) wobbled a bit and fell off and broke the top of my right femur. In a quick 30 seconds, life for the next few months has changed for the worse.

If I had tried to do what I did it would have been impossible. I closed the High Street for over an hour as I was in the middle of the road and this week I am on the front page of our local paper (see here), partly because I write for them.

The worst thing was that Dave was returning from a hospital appointment to get the results of an MRI scan for his shoulder and as he came into Pewsey he was stopped by a policeman as he entered the High Street.  Dave was told that there had been a serious accident so was diverted and when he arrived home he found my bike gone! He ran down the road (looking white as a sheet) and found me. I was quickly able to reassure him that it was just my hip. Two police cars and two ambulances; some time in A and E and then the operation on Saturday afternoon and then 5 days being bullied by the Physio’s before I was home again. So that was last week !

Since we last sent out our last missive we went to Rome for Christmas last year and on the day the world was due to end we went to Frascati to drink the wine and end our time, but what time all in all I worried about it all for just under 48 hours and all the time Dave saying you didn’t think it was actually going to happen did you?

We had a really good time looking at all the ruins and there are lots of them, eating yummy food and drinking the vino and generally having a good time. Dave’s work slowed down the day before we left and picked up the day after we got home.

Work has for Dave been going really well and has extended his repertoire.  Selling data bases and selling laptops and guiding me doing reloads.  He is also doing stuff with apples (we even made some cider from our bumper crop this year)!  I have started training as a Women’s Institute Advisor though my hip has put a spanner in the training schedule.

Over the last year we have pottered about in Europe and in the UK, a highlight being a trip to the Isles of Scilly for my birthday. We have had friends from far and wide visit (pictures show Dave’s friends from University) and have been able to share our hot tub so if you fancy a dip under a star filled sky then book yourself in (it might be a while before I can join in though).

Family news is that Terry has had a big operation and has recovered well; Jonathan and Hannah are doing well in London. Mark has moved from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea PNG for short to be with his girlfriend. They are both working for VSO and when they have finished there the plan is to go to Cambodia so that Vik can finish her Masters.   

Dave’s Mum has had lots of problems with her leg which caused her to collapse and end up in hospital when it went sceptic but she is OK now.  Lisa has a new job that she starts training for in January.  She’ll be a district care manager and is looking forward to the lack of night shifts especially now she’s moved in with her boyfriend Lloyd.   Ben has moved to his own flat in Harleston and is now fully qualified as a plumber and doing very well.

Since I have been home I have been surrounded by friends and family and feel truly blessed, sometimes we have to go to a darker place to realise our blessings. Not sure if Dave is finding his or just a lot more running up and down stairs.

We would like to wish you and your families a happy Christmas, an interesting and prosperous New Year and above all keep safe!

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