from the Bernardis
42 Woodlands Way, Southwater, West Sussex, RH13 9HZ.
Tel: 01403 733335 Mobile:07932146668
Dear Friends
Thank you if you have been in touch with us this year. We have greatly appreciated your letters and cards not only for Chrsitmas but also other occasions especially for our Golden Wedding in July. We are pleased to report that it has been a much more positive year for us. John's health has improved slowly, steadily and satisfactorily. Not having been well enough to travel during 2007 we have tried to make up for it somewhat this year. Lots of things we didn't do, like attending any Templar gatherings nor many Fibromyalgia meetings, but it has been an eventful year in many ways and we'll try and give you a keyhole glimpse of events.
At the beginning of the year Stella did an on-line course on web design to try and hone her skills! It was called Red Rose Web Design.
In April we traded in our Daihatsu for a newer model, a golden colour in anticipation of our golden anniversary. It served us well on our first long journey when we felt confident enough to drive to Somerset to visit Helen and Frank. They live in a small village called Theale, near Glastonbury where Helen works with a group of autistic young men.
In May Michael came with us to Spain, he for a week and we for a month, where we experienced more rain than had ever before been seen during that month! It was very disappointing but the last few days brought a little sunshine after an even bigger cloud. The day after her 73rd birthday Stella fell off a stool and dislocated her prosthetic hip. It took the paramedics and a backup team of police to get her out of the kitchen and into the ambulance. Her hip joint was manipulated back into place (under anaesthetic) at Denia Hospital and 2 days later she was deemed fit to be released back into the world! Our good friend Pam had looked after John whilst Stella was away and after us both afterwards. The car we had hired was collected from her house and we were provided with taxis to and from airports by courtesy of our travel insurance. Thank you Halifax! Whilst Stella was in hospital John's 50th anniversary of his diaconate occurred. Having helped out in the chaplaincy on and off over the last 25 years, the occasion was acknowledged by a presentation to him of an icon type cross bearing illustrations of Christ's early life. John was very touched by this gesture. Stella has used this in her card design this year.
On our return John started celebrating the Wednesday Eucharist at Holy Trinity, Horsham towards the end of the interregnum.
Laura took her GCSEs and finished school in June. Her great event was the 'Prom' night, but the planning, preparation and anticipation probably exceeded the enjoyment of the event itself. The journey to East Grinstead in a stretch limo was notable though!
Other pictures of the occasion can be seen here.
Her exam results were satisfactory and far exceeded the grades necessary for the diploma course in Uniformed Public Services that she is now doing at Crawley College. Her ambition is to join the police force. She has continued her part time job as a waitress at Mannings Heath Golf Course. She went to Spain twice during the summer holidays, at the beginning of July and the end of August, with friends.
Perhaps the biggest event of the year was the celebration of our Golden Wedding. It just does not seem possible that we have been married for 50 years! We had an ‘At Home’ party on Sunday 27th July, masterminded by Christine. It turned out to be the hottest day of the year so the 50+ people who attended were able to enjoy the garden that Colin had worked so hard to remodel. It was good to welcome friends and relatives from far and wide, from past and present scenarios.
Other pictures of the occasion can be seen here.
A fuller report of the Golden Wedding Anniversary can be seen here.
During the year we have both attended a monthly Julian Prayer Meeting in Southwater, but our primary worship centre is still Holy Trinity, Horsham. A new Vicar was licensed in September – young and married, with two small sons.
On her 17th birthday in September Laura started to drive, just in a car park at first. Since then she has been having professional lessons. She passed the theory part of the driving test on 5th November and the road test on 19th December, exactly 3 months after her birthday. She has grown suddenly into a very attractive and capable young woman.
At the end of September we visited Helen and Frank again and paid a visit to The Chalice Well at Glastonbury. It is a place of peace and tranquility, and a photographer's paradise!
From Theale we proceeded to Hereford where we attended the Ordination as a Priest of David Prescott one of John’s Godsons. It was good to meet up with all the Prescott family again.
Other pictures taken in Hereford can be seen here.
In October we braved it to Spain again. It couldn't rain again like in May, could it? Yes it could, and it did but then it cleared up and the last 2 of our 6 weeks couldn't have been nicer. No calamities this time. John was able to assist in the Chaplaincy by celebrating the Wednesday Eucharist. Here are a few photos taken durng this visit.
So back to rain and cold in England!! But our thoughts for you all are warm and we wish you every blessing for Christmas and for all that 2009 brings forth.
Fondest regards
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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