Reflections of years past.....

New Years Eve has always been my favourite day of the year.  A time to reflect, a time for family, a time to remind those closest to you, just how much they mean, to thank them for their love, and to commit yourself for the next year to helping each other through famine, or feast. 

As a boy growing up, Hogmanay was a time spent at home, no matter where else the party was. Comfortable in the bosom of your family, at midnight, when the bells sound, and corks fly, doors open, neighbours cram in, people move from house to house with good wishes, and good spirit.

Hogmanay is a day of community, of family and of friendship.  A day of hope, for a prosperous, and successful year, of good health, and happiness.  Sadness too, sometimes. Reflections on words said, friendships lost and hearts broken.  Hogmanay is a great healer, as with sadness, comes forgiveness and new beginnings, new resolutions, determination, purpose.  It's just a day....but a day like no other.

And so for next year, my resolutions are simple....life has changed a lot since 2003.  No longer is it straightforward to have all of the family together.  Children are growing up, wanting their own space, finding themselves, and making their own choices.  Two families to satisfy, two worlds to pull together.  

in 2011.... My resolution is the same as it always has been.  I'm a father, to five wonderful, beautiful kids.  I'm blessed with good fortune, so my commitment is to be there whenever they fall...to enjoy their successes, to encourage their flight along life's path, to support them when that path is rocky,  and to put wind in their sails when the path is clear.  To test them, to push them to succeed, to try all of life's flavours without fear, and to embrace the people around them, to recognise that it is only by embracing the challenges in life that you can live your life well. 

I've my own challenge...Kilimanjaro this year, 2011....just 76 days now until I depart on my own test.  A challenge that truly embraces life,  a challenge that recognises for me, a need to give more back than you take in life. 

Thank you for your support, and I would wish all of my friends, and my family a happy, and peaceful 2011.  I trust you will all find your goal, and have the courage to chase it down.

In 2011 I hope to raise £3500 towards Autism Concern.

Donate at www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

A Boxing Day hike...

I thought today was ideal for walking off yesterday's excesses.  Liz maintained it was far too cold to be out, but what better day to check out how my new coat, and thermals performed?





I was like toast, despite temperatures of around -8 degrees.  The coat is fabulous, and the snoods really do the job.  Actually, it was a fantastic day, although cold, it was beautifully bright, and the snow was definitely deep and crisp and even...The dogs had a field day.  Chasing around, burying their noses in the snow, and fighting over ever larger sticks.  We walked about 7 miles round the Jurrasic Way, from our house, up to Charwelton, where we stopped for a welcome lunch.  The dogs, after a bit of persuasion got themselves a sausage each, before we headed for home.

There was plenty of virgin snow on our walk, and it looked like for much of the route, only the farmer may have been out and about.  It's a route we've done many times, and Charwelton Church looked magnificent today, isolated as it is. 

Northamptonshire has a great history, and this church, and the village that was around it have been deserted since the mid 15th century, after the War of the Roses.  Right now, all that surrounds it are sheep.  

Meanwhile Christmas was an unusual one this year.  I don't suppose too many people would be delighted if they received gifts of water purification tablets, anti diahorrea salts, and mosquitto repellant sprays, and cuffs?   My Kilimanjaro war-chest if almost complete, just a small matter of selecting a decent 4-season sleeping bag, and I'll have all the kit sorted. 

Just 81 days to go!!!   I can hardly wait :-)  

Visa to apply for....Yellow fever vaccination to arrange, and half a stone to lose....easy.

Coffee anyone...??

Anyone who knows me will know that this is something I'm notoriously poor at....but this morning with a full office to make for, I happily encouraged anyone who wanted one to partake :-) 

Nope, I've not turned over a new leaf....but I did have the chance to deliver a nice cup of coffee or tea to each & everyone of them, delivered, of course with a protective mat to keep the tabletops, or desks from scalding.

Great to see some of the faces, and I've had a few promises of some support on the back of them....trouble is, they want a cup every day in return...so I guess I'll be boiling the kettle a few times more than normal in the next few weeks.  

I'm considering changing my target...I'm just £104 short of my first target of £3000, and there are 3 months to go before my climb.   Thanks to everyone who's been generous enough already to donate.  If you're tempted to help Autism Concern, just click on the Just Giving button at the top of the page, and indulge :-)

Quiz Night & Christmas Fair

Well, we've had the most fantastic fundraising weekend...although it has to be said that I didn't imagine standing out in the street, selling wine bottles full of water when the temperature is about -6 degrees would be so much fun!!

Sam was very excited that Santa came past on his sleigh, and he quickly worked out that if he kept going back to see him, Santa has a really poor memory...Sam came away with 3 presents...(mostly chocolate). 

After the fair, on Saturday morning we clicked into Quiz mode...loads of final preparations to complete, like a small matter of finishing the questions list, but in the end we had Wine, Beer, Nibbles all sorted....plenty of raffle prizes, and a fantastic group of friends rolling into the Memorial Hall by 7pm. 

I think a great night was had by all....we certainly got through the wine!!   There are so many people to thank for the help in making this weekend go fantastically well. We've had a brilliant time, and this weekend alone, we've raised over £500 for Autism Concern

Now it's back to the gym.  Thank you Woodford Halse......

Dad’s big climb to help charity - News - Daventry Express

I'm not used to this press attention, haha....and it featured on page 25, not page 3....but Sam is chuffed to bits with his picture in the papers.

Hope to see loads of people at the Street Fair tonight, and joining us at our quiz night on Saturday.  Enjoy the read...or cringe quietly :-)   Thank you Daventry Express !!!


Dad’s big climb to help charity - News - Daventry Express

Don't forget you can sponsor my by clicking on the "Sponsor Me" button at the top left.  No amount too small, and it all goes towards the charity.