  
42 Woodlands Way, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9HZ.
Tel/Fax: 01403 733335 Mobile:07932146668
E-mail: Stella@bernardi.co.uk or John@bernardi.co.uk
Dear Family and Friends
Here we are again but this time we're writing from 42, our visit to Spain having been a little earlier this year. Wherever we are when we send our greetings you are in our thoughts and prayers and we wish you and yours a happy and holy Christmas.
It has been quite an eventful year for us. The Vicar of Southwater departed in January to become the Archdeacon of Lewes & Hastings (E.Sussex). John undertook to conduct one Eucharist every Sunday and the one on Wednesdays. He conducted 66 Funerals during the interregnum as well as 10 Baptisms and 2 Weddings. The new Vicar was instituted on 14th September and we departed for Spain on 6th October! We spent 6 weeks of mixed blessings. The sun shone for 5 weeks and the last week it rained. Practically everything that could go wrong, did! But we got everything fixed and all was well by the time we left!!!
Besides her fibromyalgia Stella has developed osteo-arthritis in her left hip and the base of her spine. All very painful! She is to have a hip replacement in the new year so is undergoing an exercise programme to strengthen her muscles. John seems to have his diabetes and his blood pressure under control. Damp weather causes havoc with his arthritic knees and hands. We sometimes feel as if we are really old crocks but we keep going and do as much as we are able.
Stella has become very active in the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex, is a committee member, trustee and their Web Mistress. She has created and manages a web site for the group that has been well appreciated. She continues to manage the Templars site: and does a fair amount of photography and creative graphics. Her 70th birthday in May was marked by a ride on the Bluebell Railway – with luncheon, silver service!
 
This was followed by a family party at Burgess Hill.
The family are all well. The IT department at the Children’s Society, where Michael has worked for 20 years, merged with the NSPCC just a year ago. He now spends time working for both charities. The enterprise is called “charITyshare” and is taking other charities on board as it develops. Mike came to Spain with us and stayed for our first week. He was a great help in sorting out our problems.
Helen is still working with autistic adults. She has learnt the communication language, Makaton, and has qualified as a regional trainer. In September she undertook a sponsored walk on the Inca Trail in Peru, to Machu Picchu.
Stella made a web site for her to encourage sponsorship. There is also a section with photos of her trip that was in aid of the National Autistic Society. Helen & Frank have sold their flat and have moved back in with Michael.
Chris and Colin have made some great improvements to our house, decorating and tiling the hallway, laying a patio, fencing the garden etc. We have had a conservatory built on the back of the house, which was wonderful in the summer, but not quite so useful at this time of year!
We had, sadly, to say Goodbye to Buster, the younger of the Betchley cats. Cancer won. Tuppence is still going strong at 17!
 
Chris, Colin, Laura and a friend, Cassie, spent a week in Spain at the end of May.
Laura enjoyed it so much she went again (with another friend, Craig) whilst we were there.
Our Christmas message is extended to all our friends, and to all the charities and organisations we have supported this year. We acknowledge them on the tree decorations at the top of this page.
You can see all of Stella’s web pages if you look here.
May God bless you as you celebrate the anniversary of the birth of His Son. We hope you will acknowledge His presence at the heart of your Christmas festivities.
With fondest greetings
John & Stella
Christmas 2006
To see slideshow of Christmas morning click here.
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