31.12.19

So, 2019 is almost over! And 2020 is upon us. "I never expected to make it this far."

The past year has been a roller-coaster, I think it's fair to say. On the work front, neither Silvia nor myself have let up, although we are both now staring down our 60th birthdays!

Birthday approaching

I've been up to my neck in edtech innovation, Moodle, the local tennis club, dogs, chickens and the Labour party. All my projects have worked out satisfactorily, except for this last, which is a great sadness to me, but there we are. As a wider community, is this really as good as it gets?

I have taken up some weird hobbies this year. I have thrown away all my leather shoes (except for my tennis shoes, for which I still need to find adequate replacements).

Remaining tennis shoes (detail)

And I have started collecting old screwdrivers. Yes, really!

Stanley Yankee No.130A

And also old photos of our village (which admittedly is a more common pastime). And a keen interest in aluminium rulers!

Torre Paquita (on the right, ca. 1930)

Current favourite ruler

Alys is busy, busy, busy and, when she isn't, she is travelling all over the place, and sometimes she comes to visit us, which is much appreciated. She lives in Barcelona in a lovely flat with two good friends.

Three's company

Catrin has finished her undergraduate studies and as I write is on a "grand tour" of Central and South America. Lots of amazing photos coming our way.

Dr Livingstone, I presume (in Panama)

I now have a date pencilled into my mental diary: 26 December 2023. It's the first date I can retire without losing my pension rights, according to the simulation made available to me by the Spanish Ministry of Labour. This is like a light at the end of a tunnel. In general, I enjoy my work, but on those occasions when I feel frustrated this date pops up in my head and I think to myself, or even say out loud, you can vex me today, and tomorrow too, but a day is coming when I shall be quite free of all your provocations!

26 December 2023

It is a great consolation!

This year we have also followed the Extinction Rebellion movement with growing interest and we hope to become more active in this regard over the coming years. We definitely salute Greta Thunberg, who along with Jeremy Corbyn, has been a great source of inspiration. Both of them have been much maligned without due cause!

Greta

ER

Jeremy

As for our animal husbandry and companionship, we currently have three cats and two-and-a-half dogs living with us, and five --> four --> three chickens. The cats are Petita, Petit and Ginger. 

Petita, Petit, Ginger

The dogs are Bob, Mair/Maya and Nika. Nika is the half because she is a neighbour's dog who comes to us for long weekends.

Mair/Maya, Nika, Bob

The chickens are two big ones (he and her), one middle-sized one (her) and two bantams (he, not sure). They are all very different and the boss of the whole group is the smallest of the bantams!

Stop press! Two cockerels have just died in mysterious circumstances. Buried with full aviary honours in the back garden. So now down to three!

To finish with, some timely verse:

No need for 20-20 vision
To verify that socialism
Is once again missed and yearly bemoaned
Yet - rest assured - not cancelled, merely postponed!

Thanks to all for sharing news and sharing the journey with us!

All the best for 2020.