Christmas 2007
Greetings from the Bernardis
42 Woodlands Way, Southwater, West Sussex, RH13 9HZ.
Tel/Fax: 01403 733335 Mobile:07932146668
Dear Friends
This is the unabridged version of our newsletter! It is the fourth year that I have put our news on a web page where it is possible to have more photos and other illustrative materials.
Spain has been a no no this year. Not even this autumn, as John has not been at all well. No specific diagnosis, just not fit enough to travel.
 Winter showed itself in January with some snow, but it quickly disappeared so I was pleased to get some pics of it before it did. This was taken from our bedroom window.
Burgess Hill:
Just after last year’s letter was written Helen passed the driving test - at long last! She has found being able to drive a great asset. She and Frank have been staying with Michael for 2 years now but have moved to Somerset since our card was posted. Frank has built floor to ceiling, wall to wall bookcases for Michael in his living room which now house over 3000 books, less than half of his collection! M has catalogued the books with the help of a bar-code reader that stores his list on the internet – brilliant technology. Helen & Frank (Rothwell)'s new address is Hawthorn, 1 Crate Cottages, Theale, Nr Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4RS.
Southwater:
Chris and Colin had a week in Corfu in May. Their planned family holiday in Spain was marred by Christine having ‘flu’ making her unable to go, so Colin went with Laura and her boyfriend of 2 years, Chris(topher) (very confusing, especially as Colin’s sister is also Chris(tine)). That Christine’s son Duncan (who was a page boy at Chris and Colin’s wedding in 1985) went to Uganda in June for 2 years as a VSO, to train nurses in various hospitals, mainly in Kampala. He keeps us informed of his progress with frequent emails.
The night C, L & C left for Spain, 21st July, Huni our cat, though barely a year old herself, produced 5 kittens. They have indeed given us hours of joy and pleasure.
 
Three have now gone to new homes but we have kept two. We have called them Jinj and Jodi. Jinj is a big, fluffy, ginger tom. Jodi is a petite, sleek tortoishell - totally different but each just as loveable. Huni was a perfect Mum and dedicated herself to looking after the kittens when they needed her. There are loads of pics on Photobucket. I used my favourite of the kittens for our greetings pic this year, 5 little hungry furry bundles of joy!
 At 16, Laura is preparing for her GCSEs in her last year of compulsory education and has applied to do the National Diploma in Public Services course at Crawley College starting next September. Her current line of thinking is that she wants, eventually, to join the Police Force. For the past year she has worked part time at Mannings Heath Golf Club as a waitress which has given her both confidence and some financial independence. She is involved with a youth group that has provided her with some interesting activities; a 3 day adventure break in Dorset, a day out in London including the London Eye, a show and dinner; a visit to Studio London for a makeover and photo session. What a glamorous young lady she has become!
Colin has made vast improvements to the garden, changing the slope into two terraces with lawns that will be far easier to mow.
 
He has increased the patio area with steps to the lower level and made a raised flower-bed. He still plays golf and exercises regularly on his bike and with weights.
John had both his cataracts removed, one in March and the other in May and can now see well without spectacles, except for reading. Despite endless blood tests, a scan and a colonoscopy no reason has been discovered for John’s internal problems. He has lost a lot of weight and his condition is of great concern.
My backpain was investigated with an X-ray and MRI scan revealing osteoarthritis with considerable deterioration of the lumbar region of the spine and growth of bone spurs. I opted not to have an operation that might have improved matters. Instead I have been taking a high dosage of easily absorbed calcium which seems to have helped considerably. I also have a liver problem and recently had an ultrasound scan that showed the gall bladder to be packed with gallstones. Apparently nothing to be unduly worried about!
We failed to attend any Templar gatherings again this year. We had intended to go to Aylesford Priory in Kent where Peter Sharp was invested as a Knight at the end of September but John wasn’t well enough. John had admitted him as a Novice, in Spain, in November last year.
We spent our timeshare week at Brantridge Park (near Balcolme) in October though we did very little besides enjoying some pleasant gentle walks around the grounds.
 
The place is closing down at the end of the year so it will be our last holiday there. We have owned it since Haywards Heath days, and it’s 20 years since we left there! For many years we used it for exchange holidays both in the UK and abroad but recently have actually stayed there ourselves.
For the last (almost) 2 years we have been regular worshippers at Holy Trinity, Horsham. The Vicar, Graham Low, retired at the end of November and moved to Oxford. I hope John will be well enough to help out during the interregnum and that Graham’s replacement will be as congenial as Graham has been.
I am still maintaining and developing the website for the Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex, http://www.fibromyalgia-south.com, but have recently relinquished my status as a Trustee. I also enjoy doing computer graphics and participate in weekly on-line challenges, winning 13 virtual medals in 2007!
For each family member I have created a collage of interests, hobbies and achievements. This has been a challenging exercise that I have enjoyed and that, I think, they have all appreciated. These can be seen by linking to each one from the bottom of this page. There is also a page of my winning graphics. If you would like to see more please visit my Photobucket site. As you will see, I often use pictures of Laura and the cats!
News from other parts of the family:
Stuart Hibling (John’s nephew) and Tracy have become proud parents of Niamh Scarlet and Andrew (John’s Godson) and Lucy have added Joshua Luke to the Bernardi clan. The babies were born within a week of each other in September.
We wish you and yours a happy Christmas and joyful New Year. Please keep in touch – we love to hear from you.
With fondest greetings
Stella and John
See collages John Mike Chris Helen Colin Laura Frank
Medal Winning Graphics!
E-mail: Stella@bernardi.co.uk or John@bernardi.co.uk
To view Stella's Home Page click here.
To read the Betchleys' Christmas newsletter click here.
To read our last year's Christmas newsletter click here.
The Fibro Website is here.
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