The year began, as the previous in New Quay, watching fireworks going off all around the coast at midnight. The break was remarkable for the presence of snow on the beach for the first time in many years. On the way down, the snow had been so heavy that we had had to abandon the boat and trailer in a supermarket car park in Lampeter as we were unable to tow it up hills in the blizzard. Nonetheless, Nick managed to retrieve the boat in time to have a sail on New Year's Day, despite the somewhat chilly conditions. 

Sam saw in the New Year in France with his French penpal Henri in their home in the ski resort of Praloup. He came back with great improvements in both his skiing and his French. We've all had the chance to ski since then, passing a great week in La Plagne with the Rapleys and the Frayns.

We spent Whitsun in New Quay where Nick had organised a joint training weekend between members of New Quay YC and Draycote SC. Photos from the weekend can be seen on the DWSC website and a further account on the NQYC site.

As always, we spent our summer holidays in New Quay. The weather was a bit damp but nonetheless we had a great time as always. We've included a selection of pictures. The weather was not the best we've ever had but nonetheless it was great fun. Sam had a successful time sailing, winning the Under 21 Trophy in the Regatta as well as winning a number of club trophies. Matilda was very pleased to come second in the 4-5y swimming race in the regatta (pictures). Angharad continues to make good progress with her sailing, successfully completing RYA Level 2 at the Draycote Summer Camp before coming to New Quay.

Sam has had a busy year on the sporting front. He was very proud to be elected captain of his school year rugby team by the squad members. So far the team has won all but two game, narrowly loosing to Loughborough and Cheltenham, but notching up good wins against strong teams, including Kings Worcester, Eton, Trent College and Rugby. He has also represented the school at under 19 and under 16 level at water polo (no mean feat as he he still only 13) as well as swimming for his year group.

On the water he has had a very successful sailing season, including winning the Laser Radial class in the Welsh Yachting Association annual youth regatta in Llangors and coming second in the Selection Trials for the Welsh National Youth Squad in the Laser and has now been invited to join the Squad.

Nick's CancerHelp website continues to grow and recently won an award from the BMA in its annual Book and Website Awards in the patient information section. Its now going to be the patient website for the newly announced merger of the CRC and ICRF to be called Cancer Research UK with an annual budget of £130m.

We finished the year skiing in France with Dai and Sue Jones, Martyn and Dawn Jones and their friends Adam and Nicky Perkins. It was fascinating being in France for the launch of the Euro. Nick managed to be the first to buy a hot chocolate in a cafe up the mountain with Euros, much to amusement of the owner who had been taking francs off Frenchmen all morning. 

This page was last updated on 23-Jan-2002.