TheHodgsons.co.uk

Where has the year gone? It is already June and nearly a year since our return to the UK and almost a year since those terrible flash floods of June 2007.

In February we spent a week with Dad in Germany and he returned with us at the beginning of March, then spending 3 weeks with us. He returned to Germany via the Eurostar and Karen started work at Wilkinson Head Office in Worksop as a HR admin support clerk, 16 hours per week. Neil had also applied for two positions as an Exam Invigilator on an as needed basis and was just waiting to hear.

We also spend time up at Jo’s fitting a new kitchen for her, and spent time finishing off our annex room, which looks grand.

We enjoyed a weeks holiday in Crete, mid May, and have booked a fortnights holiday in Florida spring 2009!

What a year it has been!! Celebrating news of early retirement in January. Shock at Karen’s Dad’s sudden illness and hospitalization in February, but relieved at his amazing recovery. Heartache at Karen’s Mum’s sudden death in April. Worry at Nikki and Andy’s split in April. Horror at dealing with the flooding at Lindum Barn in June, but thankful that it was only inches not feet. Relief at not having to teach again in July. Relaxation on a week’s holiday in Malta in October and 10 days break in Germany with Karen’s Dad in November. Now we are on the run up to Christmas and looking forward to enjoying some family time!!

It’s now December 07 and we are over 4 months along from leaving Germany. We have almost recovered from the terrible June floods and the place is looking quite good indeed. The stove is so cosy on cold evenings and we have merged all our furniture inside and found a home for everything. The garage and annex are a different matter and there is still a lot to sort out there.

The colder days are keeping us inside more so progress is slow outside. We have lots of jobs to keep us busy so won’t be short of anything to do for a while. It’s really great to wake up in the morning and not worry about Ofsted or lesson observations or targets or badly behaved children..Fantastic!!!

October half-term saw the Hodgsons relaxing in Southern Spain. The weather the first part of the week was glorious and we even paddled in the sea. Unfortunately it rained towards the end of the week and dropped much cooler.

Our apartment was in a more established complex, set in very pleasant grounds with trees and flowers all around. We enjoyed touring the locality and further afield by car. Everywhere they are building new apartments and that is sadly spoiling the natural environment. Nevertheless, the peace and rest was most welcome.

View from our apartment balcony

Karen and Neil paddling in the sea

After the purchase of an old Landrover in June 2006, with a view to a restoration project, Neil acquired a flat cap for Christmas and borrowed a dog (Jo’s pup Charlie) to look the part of “Farmer Giles” or in this case “Farmer Hodgson”.

Don’t they look great?

Us on our Megatrip to the USA in 2003 to celebrate H-D’s 100th Birthday!!

Welcome to thehodgsons.co.uk. To all our friends, you can now keep up with our news and see what we have been up to!! Hope the photos make you smile!