2009-12-21 — Xmas Letter

Dear All


I wish I could say that I was not sending proper Xmas cards this year as a gesture to the environment (saving trees and all) but the sordid truth is that I just didn't get round to it. So instead I'm sending this email greetings 'card' to everyone whose email I could find!

I would like to wish you all a happy festive season and all the best for 2010. Many thanks to all of you who have helped and supported me over the year. I may be a bit tardy on replying, but believe me your good wishes have meant much to me.

Our family is re-united in Vienna - after around 9 years in England Sarah moved back to Vienna bringing her fiancé Ben with her. Ben looks to be an ideal son-in-law - certainly a respectful one - he asked me for permission to ask for Sarah's hand in marriage before asking her - so he and I have had a good start. Both of them have jobs in Vienna and have a super flat close to the city centre. The family is being hosted for Christmas dinner at Sarah and Ben's on Friday - which we're looking forward to.

Chris has been to Australia for a long holiday but now is back with a new contract at the IAEA -he is joined at the UN by Sarah - both following their parent's examples.

Healthwise I am doing well - the last round of chemo seems to have worked though it is still early days to be completely sure. Margaret is having to carry on with chemo but is in good spirits. The sad news this year was that Liz, Margaret's twin sister, lost her battle with cancer and passed away in the autumn. She is missed, especially at Christmas.

I have two small cats as flat mates now - Thelma and Louise - Thelma has been trying to help me type this email, all typing mistakes are due to her paws. The two spend half their time running over, under, around and behind everything, unplugging cables and generally indulging in high energy mayhem. The other half of the time they are fast asleep behind the books on the bookshelves where they can be undetected and undisturbed. They are fun but do tire me out sometimes!

I hope you and those close to you are well, and once again I wish you all the best for the upcoming holidays

David