Tina
This has been as busy a year as ever – highlights have included spending time with Gemma and Lucy, making my first appearance at an Early Dance Festival, a conference about diversity within the church, and of course days out, holidays and beer with Phil.
We have to mention that Lucy achieved her doctorate this year. We are all very proud, and now have to call her Dr Lucy!
Phil
I still work for my former clients on “Zero Hours” contracts but that now consists of just the odd bit of (chargeable) advice.
I still find time to work on my Model Railway and visit my local railway club, the Orpington & District Model Railway Society. We exhibited the layout I’ve helped build for the first time in May.
I also continue to pack electronic kits for MERG – this has expanded to include some 3D printed kits. A part of one of the girls bedrooms has been hijacked for this:
This is one of the kits being printed:
And this is the end result packed in a bag: 
I continue to help managing the building and equipment for our Scout Group – see 2nd Orpington Quartermasters, but there is much less demand for our “services” than pre-pandemic.
My involvement with the Orpington Liberal Club has continued to take a lot of my time. As beer “purchasing manager”, I have quite a responsibility to get it right!
Rocco
Rocco is now six, and has really become a really well behaved dog. He still attracts attention by his friendly demeanour and youthful exuberance (particularly first thing in the morning) and of course his liking for sticks.
I now often take him when I’m running the bar at Orpington Liberal Club – I put his lead on a wall fixing in the corner and he just sits there watching what’s going on. And of course is quite happy when someone comes over to say hello!
Holidays
Yet again, we didn’t try to organise any serious holidays this year, concentrating on days out with the odd week away.
In May, we joined a friend on a canal boat in Cheshire, visiting Chester and Ellesmere Port:
We made the most of the good weather in June, with days out to Farnborough, Emmetts Garden, Quebec House, Chartwell & Hampton Court:
We also spent a day in London exploring the newly opened Elizabeth Line:
We stayed in a small cottage at Dial Post (near Horsham). Excellent local pubs and nice walks!
While we were in the area, we also (re)visited the Weald & Downland Living Museum and Amberley Museum:
More days out in July saw us exploring Battersea Park & Power Station, Wanstead, Tunbridge Wells and more local walks:
We had a day trip to Hastings on the train in September: A stroll along the beach, a nice meal in a pub, good views and a snooze on the train on the way home!
Finally, we took the train to visit London Mithraeum and other attractions in the City of London in October :
A busy year!