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This is the Christmas
Letter for 2012 from John Saville for my American
friends
(each click will open a new window so you
may wish to close each one after reading it)
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December
10, 2012 |
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I’ve
decided to repeat what I did last year and put down information
about my life and family on this page on my website. As well
as saving paper, using web technology allows me to put in links in case you are
interested in learning more about a particular area I mention. You’ll see links
and thumbnail pictures that will open up other pages.
From
www.jrsaville.co.uk/diary_2012.htm you can see details to everything in my
year!! |
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Well 2012 has been quite
a year in the UK – the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the
Olympics/Paralympics – but more of that later. |
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Right at the start of
2012 I had my 2011 vacation – albeit delayed -- and was able to visit the
US and meet with many of you. The main timing driver was a reunion of
the C3P team triggered by the retirement of the Team Leader, Richard
Riff. That meant the return to Dearborn of several of you who’d retired
away from the area. In 10 days I met with friends (Ford and other) for
all but 3 meals, and had some great nights singing. |
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It was also great to host
Max & Julia
Davis for a day in Cambridge whilst they were in the UK in August |
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The most significant
family news of 2012 was the birth in June of another grandson, Oliver
Bolam, the first for Martyn & Fiona, and my fifth grandchild (plus two
half sisters). I watched Martyn take part in a couple of athletic
events -- Lactic Rush
and Richmond Biathlon (Fiona having the year off running for obvious reasons). Martyn
has taken up boxing which is a bit concerning…. |
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Jeremy (Jez) & Sharleen
moved from Harlow to Maldon (a quaint little town on a river – you may
find Maldon Salt in your local supermarket). The house is smaller which
has led to a few problems but Jasmin,
Sky,
Bailey, and
Summer have
settled well – and have very supportive schools. |
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The other
significant family event was being able to introduce Jez to his son
Jacob. For nearly nine years I’ve kept in touch with Jacob hoping they
would eventually meet. Jacob asked to meet Jez and we spent a great
“boys” morning involving catching crabs and a remote control boat. Maybe
some fishing next year. |
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It was the
latest of a number of days with Jacob and his sister, Jessica, this
year. These included a very wet day by the Thames to see the
Thames Pageant with a
flotilla
of hundreds of boats to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen We
also had a visit to Buckingham Palace – with a special display of
diamonds, and a visit to the Tower of London to see the crown jewels |
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It’s been a much quieter year with my mother
who is now 89 but keeps active, entertaining family for lunch 3 times a
week (I visit every week) and helping with various activities. We made
our annual pilgrimage to see the
"Strictly Come Dancing Tour" ("Dancing with the Stars") in
London. |
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I mentioned my trip to
the US was my only holiday this year -- except a couple of weekend
breaks to the New Forest and Manchester. This gave me the opportunity to
further my interest in "hunting" and photographing the originals of
Lilliput Lane model buildings. My
"LAPOLLO" website has followers in several continents. |
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However I spent a lot of time
(and money) attending the Olympics (torch
relay, rowing,
equestrian,
soccer,
mountain
biking, marathon,
triathlon) and
Paralympics (where I spent 7 of the 9
days at the Olympic Park in Stratford including both opening and closing
ceremonies and visited all the venues). |
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The latter
included music by Coldplay. The only other concert this year was to see
Paul Simon in Hyde Park to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of
his “Graceland” album – with many of the original African artists |
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I ticked off another
“Bucket List” item with a flight including taking the controls in a 1939
Tiger Moth bi-plane, including flying over my home. This was my 65th
birthday present from Mum. Another item ticked off the list was to see
the Maldon Mud Race.
Whilst thinking of my 65th birthday I had a little gathering of friends
at my Real Tennis club during
which people had a chance to try the game. |
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After a break of a few years I returned to
being a Judge at
Formula Student at Silverstone, judging the Business Presentations |
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I’ve been keeping busy
with
Music Builds Communities. This year I started a bi-monthly
“Singing for Fun” session where we take a theme and accompany songs
on guitars, then sing some others using backing tracks. I still teach
guitar and started a new “Beginners” group with 2 interested children in
September, which rapidly expanded to 6 children, each with a parent
learning with them. We also met a few times for electric guitar
sessions. |
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I continue to maintain
the
MBC website as well as those for the
Village Church, its
Hall and this personal one of
my own. I also started one for the village
Exning.net.
I’ve continued to play
guitar in the Church Music Group and, as our Minister has moved on, I am
back preaching. |
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Those who met me in January will know I
was on a diet and eventually lost 35lb. That and continuing playing Real
Tennis every week has kept me fit! |
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I
wish you a very Happy Christmas and every blessing in 2013
John |
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