Mac's Christmas WebPage for 2005!

Seasons greetings.....  Happy Christmas.....  Happy New Year.....

Hello.  This is my Xmas web page for 2005 - or am I stating the obvious?  Sorry!  There are a few more pictures this year, and some of them were even taken by me - but as yet I haven't really got my head round how this digital photography thing works, so, many of them are pinched from other people.  And some of those are actually quite old.  The smaller pictures are "Thumbnails" so try clicking on them to see if you can make them big enough to actually see!

This year I made a New Years resolution to give up drinking - and actually kept to it.  I started playing golf again - and I did my back in a couple of times (these were, of course, largely related).

I have seen a few of you in the year but I think everyone has been pretty busy wherever they were. 

Drinking.  Not that I actually drink.  Or indeed ever have done.  (Denial is the thing.)  I made a New Years resolution not to drink in the Haunch - and I kept to it  (you don't really think I meant give up drinking.......groan.....there are limits).  I have not set foot inside the Haunch all year - so there.  Lets see what they make of that - Hurrumph.  (Actually, I don't think anyone the other side of the Bar knows me from Adam anyway.)  It's been a great success.  I might keep it up for a second year.

Instead  I have been splitting my time between the Village on the Wilton Road, The Wyndham on Estcourt Road, and the Old Mill at Harnham.  The latter appears to have adopted me (they haven't heard all my stories yet but I will run out pretty soon and start repeating myself.  It's good to have fresh victims for old tales. )  They even invited me to their regulars Christmas bash!  Wasn't that nice!

Social occasions.  As we had such a hot, sunny and bright summer there were many opportunities to disport ourselves although - oddly - people seemed to stay inside.  Any event I attended was washed out.  Was it me?

I have made a return to the Golf Course - after an absence of 10 years.  Despite much effort on the Wilton Road Driving range and a load of lessons to take me back to the very beginning - I managed to lose a record 10 balls one sunny day at Tollard Royal. 

On separate occasions people have commented on the age of my golf clubs.  I am still using wooden woods (they haven't made woods from wood in years apparently).  One observed  that my woods were "...really made of wood..."  while another described them as "...antique...".  Sadly I can't out "drive" them, out "chip" them or out "putt" them - but I am trying.  I have even set myself to replace my aged clubs - but I am buying some rather nice, not very new "MacGregor" branded "wooden" woods, second hand.  Antique even.  I think that's me - don't you?  Yes - Antique.

Naturally all of this hitting balls has a cost.  My back.  Although I first managed to put it out getting into a bath.  Hey ho! 

On the matter of disease and general rotting - I have had some very good news this year.  As a practising hypochondriac I was absolutely thrilled to hear that I was now on the "at risk"  list and was eligible for a flu jab.   But I warn you now - it's a vicious business trying to get your place in a queue with all those pensioners - especially the ladies -  they have absolutely no respect for the younger generation (that's me!) so even if you do have an appointment for your jab you have to be very assertive.  Now that I have been jabbed I am ready for those chickens!  Now I know I can look a chicken in the eye without fear.

In another bold step, this winter I have retreated  to a fashion item not used since I was about nine.  I have bought some vests!  I wear them in the Office to protect me from the freezing effects of the air conditioning.  I don't think you will see me in the garden with this item on - in fact I don't expect to put them on show at all.  However my Mother is thrilled - she has been "suggesting" I buy some for ages.  I have also bought some fingerless gloves - marvellous for  use at the keyboard.   Especially when you want to embarrass the management about their lack of control over the heating.  (And I am still employed by them - well - just.)

What news of other people?

There are a number of people moving away....

Linda Clive is rumoured to have returned to London.  New Bond Street seems to have had more allure than Fish Row.  I can't imagine why.  Dick Whittington went back to London - will Linda be three  times Lord Mayor of London?

Haze and Terry Harrington have departed for Weston Super Mare - when they aren't here, or in London. or in America, or in......

Caroline, Terry and Thomas Mylroie has departed for Thame arriving just about in time for Xmas.  Apparently they would prefer not to move again.  Well, at least not until they have recovered.

Nick and Catherine Nobbs visited in the Summer - while I saw Nick I didn't see Catherine.  Now in Thailand?

Keith Button is 50 - it's true.....

Justin and Ashley Bevan are expecting a child - or should I say a footballing IT and electronics expert?  Imagine a minor Bevan  dribbling all over your PC's Hard Drive.

That's enough news.

Look - another picture.......

Debbie Candy has been sending me Xmas stuff from the Internet all year - but its all been far too rude for people your age.  So I dug this out instead.  Look - it's Debbie and me and Julie and Tina - and an unknown photographer - perhaps Jim (Jem) Wade?  We are all sat in the beer garden of Burkes Bar in about 1978 or 1979?  It's now the Wig and Quill and that piece of garden is about 15 yards inside the bar.  What do you think we are doing?  Why have I got lots of hair, and why does it appear to be longer  than Debbie's and nearly as long as Julie and Tina's?  Are they "Binge" drinking do you think?  I do hope not.  And look - they've all got cigarettes!  How quaint.

Well - that's all for now except for one final comment........and I hope you all get all the Christmas presents you.....deserve.