Saturday 31 December 2016

Cro's Review of 2016.


As everyone will no doubt remember, 2016 began with several well loved 'celebs' leaving us. It seemed as if every other day there was another shocking, and unexpected, departure. This continued throughout the year. I won't go through the names, as I found it rather depressing. But RIP all.

Weather-wise, January, February, and March, were not too bad again. No snow, few frosts, and only a couple of days of -0 C. In fact it was noticeably uneventful.

As such I was able to continue with what one of my regular readers amusingly describes as 'messing with the barn'. The kitchen is now pretty much finished (except for some tiling), and has become a really comfortable and practical space. The 'island' table was recently bought, assembled, and wheels added, to make a breakfast bar and food preparation area. The whole lot has come together very well.


The end of May, and the start of June, brought out a really good crop of Girolles, making up for 2015 when we had none. The freezer is still well stocked.

                              

It was after mid-June that our Summer truly began, then came July, my big birthday party, and the family invasion!

                                  

It was chaotic, but we had a great time with all our children, all five grandsons, plus a couple of cousins, present.

As summer progressed, things became rather odd at Haddock's. We had an early flourish of produce, then suddenly everything slowed down and we eventually ended-up with a second flourish much later on in late-September. This disrupted my bottling, but we still have a filled store cupboard. We also have plenty of winter 'greens' etc, so we're not starving.


It should be noted that Summer 2016 was the hottest and driest since 1950, with 'rain' only arriving on September 15th; and even that was minuscule.

In October I bought an old wreck of a caravan to make into a 'den' for the children. It was repainted, stripped of what remained of its contents, and made into a fun Cabanon for the boys for when they come. They haven't seen it yet; I hope they'll approve, we'll know in February.


Wills, Kellogg, and Boo Boo left to over-Winter in Oz on October 16th; much earlier than we'd anticipated. Just before leaving, Boo Boo had his first horse ride. The proof below..... A natural horseman!



Since September it's been gloriously quiet. An irritating but unimportant trespassing niggle has been successfully dealt with, and we are now back to our calm routine.

This was my favourite music video of the year. A really great version of a great song. I'm presuming that your computer is connected to a very good sound system.

                    

About a month ago Wills bought himself a house in Surfer's Paradise (Oz), so now he literally owns homes on opposite sides of the earth. Other than that, I suppose for most of us 2016 will probably be best remembered for Brexit and Trump; let's hope that both trials run smoothly.

We wish you all a bountiful 2017. March will bring us a new grandchild.... with such wonderful family and friends, we are truly blessed.

Cro and Lady Magnon xx




49 comments:

  1. Happy new year Cro to you and your wonderful family.

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    1. Thank you Yael, and I wish you (above all) a peaceful one. Cro xx

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  2. Wonderful year in photographs.they really are worth a thousand words. May you be embraced by the warmth of your family all through 2017....even if it sometimes has to be through Skype.

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    1. We rather like Skype; say the essentials, then continue with normal quiet life. I'm looking forward to 2017, probably for all the wrong reasons.

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  3. A Happy New Year to you, Cro, may Haddocks continue to flourish, and your family likewise.

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    1. Thank you Coppa. We're expecting an interesting year!

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  4. The kitchen looks great. Is Wills house right in Surfers?

    Hope next year is another wonderful year for you all.

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    1. I think it's slightly south of SP itself, in Broadbeach; 2 mins walk from a fabulous beach. I used the name SP because it gives a better idea of where he is.

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    2. I stayed at Surfers way back in the 60's but have stayed at Broadbeach much more recently and think it is the better of the two - the beaches are wonderful all along that coast.

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    3. Glad to hear he is at Broadbeach, it's much nicer than Surfers. Lucky man to have a foot in both countries.

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  5. I loved your review; mentions a lot of family, love, warmth and coziness...
    may it continue like this and may it be even better for 2017, Cro, with health and happiness to you and family!
    Greetings Maria xx

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    1. Thank you Maria. Good health is always on the top of my wish-list, so I accept your wishes gratefully. Cro xx

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  6. Happy New Year Cro, hope it's a good one for you. x (P.S. How did you deal with your irritating niggle, did you shoot your neighbour?)

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    1. Lady Magnon asked him politely to take his dog to poo elsewhere; he wasn't happy. I feel she had the right to ask him; don't you?

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  7. Happy New Year Cro and Lady M, hope it's a good one for you.

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    1. We can only hope for peace, good health, and enough of everything else to be comfortable. Cro xx

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  8. Family and food - your priorities for 2016 it seems Cro - can't think of anything better. Happy New Year

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    1. Oh dear, my priorities are showing! No doubt next year they'll be much the same. Cro xx

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  9. Have a great 2017 Cro, Lady M and all of your family. Wishing you everything you wish yourselves. Lots of love. XXXX

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    1. Thank you Jacqueline. Your good wishes seem to be working so far! Cro xx

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  10. I hope you have a gloriously fulfilled 2017. With lots of family and friends visiting you throughout the year.

    Jean

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    1. So far it looks as if we'll be having quite a quiet year; I'm happy either way!

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  11. Never mind all your preserves, you have me in a bind. Do check out my "Caution and the wind", evaluate what you have done to my going happily unluckily and in a dither. Maybe Lady Magnon will take pity on me and send me one of HER mince pies. Wish-proof as it were. Unless there is a coin in there to crack one of my teeth.

    May plenty of Haddock be with you in 2017.

    U

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    1. The BIG question is; what to wish for. You only have one, so make it a good one.; and don't tell anyone!

      Best wishes and good luck. Cro xx

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  12. Wishing both of you a happy and gloriously fulfilled 2017.

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  13. With a new grandchild coming soon, your new year sounds very promising.

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    1. Can't be bad, can it. We have to wait until March (I think). Cro xx

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  14. Another great year reading your blog, dear Cro. I hope 2017 is a wonderful year for you and the family!

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    1. Thank you Jennifer. I hope your numerous wishes come true for you in 2017. Cro xx

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  15. Well done on your synopsis of 2016! I've read every highlight of your year and look forward to 2017....any predictions for the Cro family?

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    1. I see travel, I see distant lands, I see small people. How's that for predictions? Best wishes, Cro xx

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  16. I thought you didn't approve of Round Robins!

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  17. It's been a pleasure to check in with the goings on at your place throughout 2016. The balance that you have found is inspiring.

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2017. I am already looking forward to more meanderings.

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    1. Thank you Frances. Our lives could hardly be different, but we have a lot in common. Very best wishes, Cro xx

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  18. My favourite site on the internet! Thanks for this lovely summation, and may I congratulate you on your DIY skills? I have just bought 1.5 acres in Western Canada and do, at times, have that "what the fuck have I done" moment which you speak of from all those years ago. And there are plenty of trees to cut down, and much to do to our house. All of which starts in 2017 - for which my best wishes to you all.

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    1. That feeling you speak of is always at the back of my mind!!! My life has been a bit like that since my mid-20's.

      Good to know you James, and let's hope that 2017 goes smoothly for all of us. All the best, Cro.

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  19. I have loved reading your posts this last year and hope you will continue to blog ad finitum. I think that is latin for" for ever" ? (I did latin at school for 4 years and loved it) I know that people read many blogs, but I feel that there is a " family" who read most of the ones I read and I love that. Can't mention all the names. Happy New Year dear Cro, and I wish you a lovely next year. XX

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    1. You were almost right, it's 'ad infinitum'. Amazingly, I was once a Latin scholar. Yes, I love that feel of 'family' too; it's really very special.

      Very best wishes for this new year, we have interesting times ahead! Cro xx

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  20. not a bad year all in all...lets hope 2017 is a good one

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    1. We had no real disasters, no deaths in the family, no-one on the streets; we had a lot to be grateful for. As you say, let's hope for another smooth running year. Very best wishes, Cro xx

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  21. I knew it was ad infinitum......must have been a typo! X

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  22. Thank you for an enjoyable blog, I look forward to more of the same in 2017.

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