Like 2001, 2002 began with friends from Wales, only this time in France skiing. We were fascinated to be in France for the launch of the Euro and were able to see at first hand just how well it was organised.
Sam has a busy year sailing, including the National Youth Championships in Weymouth as well as 2 Laser Qualifiers and the RYA Regional and Welsh Championships. Results have been a little mixed, though the competition is intense. Sam and Nick spent a week camping in Plymouth for the Laser Nationals with several other members of the Welsh Squad. Sam came 62nd in the end out of 116 and was one of the youngest competitors (if not the youngest). Nick's performance was less distinguished, finishing 72nd of 96, but at least there were still some boats behind! In New Quay Sam had a successful Regatta, winning the under 21 trophy for the third time in a row and also winning the First Welsh Club Youth Racing Circuit to be held in New Quay.
Helena, our au pair who was with us from September last year returned to France at the end of June. Her English improved dramatically over the year and her ability to party and still be bright and cheerful in the morning impressed us all greatly. On our way back from skiing at Christmas we stayed with her family in Lille which was a great treat. She was followed by Marie Ann who joined us for the summer and we have also greatly enjoyed her company. Elisabeth then arrived from Germany and stayed with us right through to May 2003. She certainly gets the prize for the fittest au pair having spent most nights in the gym at the Ardencote. We'll also miss her chocolate cakes and cookies which she made most evenings with the girls and which were always waiting for for us on our return from work.
Sam and Nick enjoyed their second week of male bonding in August with a trip to Japan. Nick (or rather Sam) was lucky enough to be invited to speak at a conference in Sendai and managed to manipulate the air ticket to take a guest.
Once again we had a great summer in New Quay - possibly one of the best ever!
Sam has also had another successful year on the rugby field, being team captain for 2001-2002 and reappointed for 2002-2003. This autumn he has also been selected for the South Warwickshire team which he also captained in their first match against Coventry Schools. Click here for more rugby details.
Angharad started at a new school, Welcombe Hills in September and seems very happy there. Its a special needs school and she can stay there until she's 18, avoiding the need to go to a large secondary school in a year's time. She's made some new friends and has a nice teacher called Annemarie. Her friend David came round on for a small party on Halloween. This autumn, she's been back in swimming club and has made excellent progress, completing her 1 mile distance badge in October.
Tilly has also had a busy autumn. She's in a new class at school and her teacher is called Mrs Sharp and Mrs Johnson is the assistant. Tilly has also been working on her swimming and managed to complete 1000m in October.
Unfortunately, late Autumn was somewhat marred for Sam on the rugby field. The team had a great run in the Daily Mail Cup, getting to the last 16 in a competition with ~450 entries. In the game to reach the last 8 against Bromsgrove, Warwick were narrowly ahead going into the last quarter when Sam took a heavy knock making a tackle, leaving him concussed. A night in hospital followed then MRI scans and a visit to a neurosurgeon and we await further news as to whether he will be allowed on the field again.
On a more positive note, we had a great Sunday lunch at the James family home in Northwood in November with all 3 siblings and their families present.
We were also pleased to see 2 of the children's previous nannies, Maureen and Lisa who came to visit us just before Christmas, armed as always with lots of presents.
Finally we come to Christmas and New Year. We had a house full for Christmas dinner, including both sets of grandparents as well as John, Debbie, Lara and Ella. We then set off for New Quay for New Year which as usual was great fun. Matilda was insistent on going to the Yacht Club to see in the New Year, despite attending a party at the Seal's house. She even wrote a note with Amy explaining where they were going.