42 Woodlands Way, Southwater, West Sussex RH13 9HZ.
New numbers:   Tel/Fax: 01403 733335      Mobile:07932146668
E-mail:   Stella@bernardi.co.uk or John@bernardi.co.uk

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Dear Friends
As usual we are beginning our Christmas News during our autumn sojourn in Spain.  We are here for six weeks again, for part of October and all of November.  This time we are not spending all of it at Toscamar.  We've taken two weeks' timeshare in La Manga, nearly 200mls south of Jávea.  Its a strange place, a very long promontory, peninsular (15 miles) which almost encloses the Mar Menor.   So on one side is the Mediterranean Sea and on the other, Mar Menor.  We can see both from our apartment.

Our biggest event has been our move to Southwater which took place on 3rd March.  It has been a marathon job getting re-organised but we love it there.  Its great to have part of the family re-united and we all get along well together in a kind of symbiotic relationship!  We love it in Spain too so we to and fro at least twice a year.  We spent the month of May here as well as our current trip.

Chris & Colin were able to take a week away in Gran Canaria for a much needed break in September.  They had worked so hard in getting the house decorated and the garden to rights.  Laura had a different friend to stay each night during their absence.  They were all well behaved.  No major incidents!!

Stella continues with her Templar work as National Webmistress, Beauceant Editor and International Grand Editor!  She has been awarded the Superior Service Award.  Being already the holder of the rank of Grand Cross, she must be one of the highest ranking Dames in the world!  We have attended Templar functions when possible - in Templecombe, Rothley Temple and Walsingham this year.  We also admitted a Novice in Spain!

John's health has been something of an enigma.  He appeared to have a heart condition and Asthma and was sent to the Cardiology department of Worthing Hospital.  There he was given a multitude of tests .  These concluded that there was nothing wrong with his heart or his lungs.  It transpired that one of his medications was not agreeing with him and causing all the symptoms, which were giving us so much concern.  Once he stopped taking it most of his problems disappeared.  He just has Arthritis in his right hand and knee and of course Diabetes that is no problem as long as he remembers to take the tablets and watch his diet.  The Vicar of Southwater will be leaving in January to become Archdeacon of Lewes and it is to be hoped that John will be able to look after the Parish without being responsible for all the services. He has been taking occasional services in this and neighbouring parishes.  His voice has now returned to normal.  He continues to enjoy reading and Horsham Library finds him to be a frequent visitor.  

Stella has, and will, no doubt for ever, Fibromyalgia.  She is learning to live with it and adapt her life to its demands!  She has done more Virtual University courses this year and has developed quite a skill in computer graphics. See here also. (N.B. A TOE is a Table of Exercises where homework is posted.)

Laura celebrated becoming a teenager in September! She has made many new friends at school and has a whirl of social activities that leave us breathless!  During 'sleepovers' they took to improvising a tent to sleep in in the garden.  So, we bought her a proper one for her birthday.  Six of them slept in it on her birthday weekend and they all went to Thorpe Park on the Saturday!

The Betchleys' two cats, Tuppence and Buster, have adopted us oldies and often visit us in our part of the house!   Buster is adventurous and thinks the woods at the back of the house are a playground especially for him.  Tupps, a grand old lady of 15, (9 years Bus's senior!) is a homelover and doesn't go out much.

Michael has, for the best part of the last 20 years, worked in the IT department at The Children's Society. That department has amalgamated with the NSPCC, to pool their resources and is already operating from their new premises. They are known as "charITyshare".  Helen and Frank have been trying to sell their flat, without much success. (Ours did not sell until August this year , 10mths after it was put on the market.)  Their plan is to move to Somerset where some of Frank's relatives live, and build their own house.  I hope they achieve their ambition - eventually!

We shall be pleased for you to visit us in our new home - just give us a call.  Thank you to everyone from whom we have received letters and cards since our last year's letter .   We do love to hear from you. We hope you will forgive this means of communication but for those with internet access it seemed the sensible thing to do.

We wish you now a very joyous but holy Christmas and a happy 2005.
        Best of wishes from
                John and Stella Bernardi

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Christmas 2005