A Very Happy Christmas Everyone !
Happy Christmas from the Daveys of Pessac !
We hope this Christmastime finds you in good health and in good spirits, as it finds us.
What did 2009 bring our way ?
Exploration ! We made our first summertime sortie into the Dordogne where we stayed a couple of days with friends. In the autumn we spent a baking week in Carcassonne and recently we went to a wedding in beautiful Alsace. Alan had meetings in places as diverse as the Cévennes and Cambridge, and crossed the Millau Viaduct through icy winds. Gwilym and Catrin went on camp to Tywyn and have vowed to return !
Education ! Gwilym and Catrin are doing fine in school, Gwilym in a new collège in Bordeaux where he goes by bus and tram. He's just done a week's work experience in one of the most prestigious châteaux in Pessac. OK for some.
Music ! Catrin continues with her flute and plays very often at church now. Gwilym's electric guitar is progressing well. Pat has recently taken up the harmonica, half-heartedly, it must be said. Alan now plays trombone with the Pessac Jazz Band, though he's seldom asked to play at church, strangely.
Health ! Swine 'flu. Well, probably. We weren't tested but since we all became ill the same day, and two days after a friend's daughter got it... We're all fine now, though (except for Alan's persistent non-smoker's cough).
Family ! We didn't get to Britain as a family this year, but the Hodgsons came down like the wolf on the fold on the unsuspecting inhabitants of a town near Bordeaux. The motive was our centenary. 100 years of Pat and Alan (shared pretty equally between us).
Church ! We have now been over a year in our rented building and this year the major project is to buy it. For a new church in a big, expensive city like Bordeaux this is a huge challenge ! We also had a change of pastor with a fond farewell to the Foucachons and a hearty welcome to the Brienens.
Menagerie ! We think that Pat and Catrin have at last got the hang of sexing and separating guineapigs
early enough. Well, I say early enough – but had they got the hang of it earlier we might not have ten of the things.
Ministry ! Things continue well with the student work – mostly French people at the moment, the French church – more outreach projects taking shape, and in the International Congregation where we welcome folk from all over the world, from Brazil to Malaysia and all points between.
Plans for 2010 ! This summer we hope to come to Britain, with a couple of conferences, camp for the
kids and some church and family visits on the agenda.
We also hope to find homes for some guinea-pigs.
Any takers ?
With all our best wishes at Christmastime and for 2010.
Alan, Pat, Gwilym and Catrin
We hope this Christmastime finds you in good health and in good spirits, as it finds us.
What did 2009 bring our way ?
Exploration ! We made our first summertime sortie into the Dordogne where we stayed a couple of days with friends. In the autumn we spent a baking week in Carcassonne and recently we went to a wedding in beautiful Alsace. Alan had meetings in places as diverse as the Cévennes and Cambridge, and crossed the Millau Viaduct through icy winds. Gwilym and Catrin went on camp to Tywyn and have vowed to return !
Education ! Gwilym and Catrin are doing fine in school, Gwilym in a new collège in Bordeaux where he goes by bus and tram. He's just done a week's work experience in one of the most prestigious châteaux in Pessac. OK for some.
Music ! Catrin continues with her flute and plays very often at church now. Gwilym's electric guitar is progressing well. Pat has recently taken up the harmonica, half-heartedly, it must be said. Alan now plays trombone with the Pessac Jazz Band, though he's seldom asked to play at church, strangely.
Health ! Swine 'flu. Well, probably. We weren't tested but since we all became ill the same day, and two days after a friend's daughter got it... We're all fine now, though (except for Alan's persistent non-smoker's cough).
Family ! We didn't get to Britain as a family this year, but the Hodgsons came down like the wolf on the fold on the unsuspecting inhabitants of a town near Bordeaux. The motive was our centenary. 100 years of Pat and Alan (shared pretty equally between us).
Church ! We have now been over a year in our rented building and this year the major project is to buy it. For a new church in a big, expensive city like Bordeaux this is a huge challenge ! We also had a change of pastor with a fond farewell to the Foucachons and a hearty welcome to the Brienens.
Menagerie ! We think that Pat and Catrin have at last got the hang of sexing and separating guineapigs
early enough. Well, I say early enough – but had they got the hang of it earlier we might not have ten of the things.
Ministry ! Things continue well with the student work – mostly French people at the moment, the French church – more outreach projects taking shape, and in the International Congregation where we welcome folk from all over the world, from Brazil to Malaysia and all points between.
Plans for 2010 ! This summer we hope to come to Britain, with a couple of conferences, camp for the
kids and some church and family visits on the agenda.
We also hope to find homes for some guinea-pigs.
Any takers ?
With all our best wishes at Christmastime and for 2010.
Alan, Pat, Gwilym and Catrin
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