Braemount Blethers

2011

This has been a challenging year, and we need to say A BIG THANK YOU to all our friends and colleagues who have been so supportive and understanding as we disappeared yet again over southern horizons to be with family in very troubled times. Every trip that allowed us time with Liam was precious, especially the brief moments when he was able to get home. Many trips also incorporated a lot of trouble-shooting and support for parents, in hospital and at home, but we end the year with a great team in place for Mum and Dad, and mostly it works like clockwork. 

Hectic times

Because of the circumstances, social events were difficult to plan for, and many had to be postponed or cancelled, so those we have been able to make have been particularly welcome. It's wonderful to know that friends haven't given up on us, even when they've almost forgotten what we looked like. And even when we couldn't be there, they've gone ahead and had the fun we intended, such as the annual family watersports weekend at Arisaig in April, which, wonderfully, went ahead despite our sudden absence!

It has to be said that we are not alone in having difficult and sad times with family - Anne and Paul, Annie and Gerry, Barry and Jilly, Sue and Richard, Jane and Tony, to name but a few, have all been struggling with their own challenging circumstances, and that mutual understanding has given strength to us all, I feel.

Cheerful chums

Despite all of this, some fun has definitely been had. I have occasionally managed some girlie lunches or coffees with Bridget, Anne and Gillie, which have just been fab. Double-dividending has meant Euan has managed to meet up with old friends Neil and Irene and Lorraine on a work trip south, and we hooked up in Northumberland with Euan's old friend Sue from Durham - new to me, but I feel I've known her forever. But most trips south have just been a manic round of family affairs, so the much-hoped-for time with Northumbrian chums hasn't ever materialised, and it has also been impossible to book flights to see long-lost Graham and Jill in Berkshire.

Several friends have chanced dropping in overnight, or in passing on their various peregrinations, including Lorraine, Andy, Gill with Andy, Gerry, Gerry with Rhona, Richard, Richard with Sandra and the girls, as well as Florrie and Jimmy all the way from Fair Isle. Some planned sleepovers have gone ahead, such as the great Étape gathering in May with David, Lindy, Fenning, Gillie, Gordon, Jill and David's brother Pete prior to their cycling marathon, as well as overnights to Gordon and Jill's in Edinburgh and Fenning and Gillie in wild west Stirlingshire, all a delight.

We saw the new year in with Annie and Gerry and lots of local pals, and we have snatched meals and take-aways and films in an impromptu fashion with various local folk when the opportunity has allowed - evenings with lovely neighbours Anne and Paul, Jane and Tony, Bridget, the Aitkens, Barry and Jilly, Martin and Katie, Donald and Elspeth, Mike and Jean, Fiona and Bill, and lunches with Paul and Isla and Judy, Dominic and baby Ian have all helped to keep us on an even keel.

Hard-hit hobbies

Gardening, the great outdoors and kayaking have all taken a real hit through the year, and we have learned to view the Braemount demesne as a valuable wildlife wilderness - nature has taken hold where once neat rows of vegetables proudly ranged, but we have a splendid bird count, so, hey, what's the problem?

I have resigned myself to being a whole new shape and size due to lack of any exercise for nearly two years now, but my bike is still loyally waiting in the garage, and I'm sure in the spring I'll get back out and about. We did have one glorious afternoon biking in the Angus hills with Martin and Fin, which did us a power of good - well done guys for seizing us and the moment! Euan still manages some running and has an occasional jaunt into the hills, but he, too, is missing a reguar dose of the wild and woollies. 

We did have a wonderful weekend with kayaking chums at Lunga House again in April, skilfully organised by Paul and Isla, in grand style as ever, and we had a great weekend paddling to the Summer Isles, brilliantly organised by club stalwart Fran, but otherwise our boats haven't touched the water. We're missing our kayaking pals and poor Oaky the tent is feeling quite neglected in the garage - but look, here comes 2012!

Worky-work

Euan has had an amazingly busy year, with the company hard at work developing Cortix, their new wireless handheld system for ward rounds in hospitals. It's causing a lot of interest, north and south of the border, and it's up and running in several places in Scotland, though there is still a long way to go before it becomes a fully established feature of hospital life.

I have had to put my work on the back-burner for much of this year and last, but still bump along and colleagues have been very understanding. I am hoping to change direction gradually, and have a deferred entrance to Abertay University for next year, the start of a long journey to become a cognitive psychotherapist. Really, it's got nothing to do with trying to sort Euan out, it's just something I very much want to do!!

Counting our blessings

Despite the difficulties and the last minute emergencies this year, we have stayed in good health and have still managed many lovely times with friends, and we are very grateful for all that fun and friendship.

And we are very aware that none of us should take any of this for granted. Liam has left a wonderful legacy - he showed us how to live well, and how to die well, too. He was a remarkable man and we are very, very glad that he was part of our lives.

Ol'chums - Euan with Sue	New chums! Katie, Sue - and Ruby, too!
Here come the girls!	Moments before Katie's spectacular face plant in a stream....
Haka lessons with Paul and Anne in Auckland