Twenty Years

Twenty years ago, I started this blog to lets friends and family know what I was up to when I moved back to England after college. An awful lot has happened since then. It's not been plain sailing, and we've certainly had our share of heartache, but we've also made some great memories along the way.

The biggest change now is obviously that Dad is sadly no longer with us. It's something that not a day goes by I don't think about. Mum is getting older as well, and needs a little more help these days. Oma & Opa in Holland have passed away. Auntie Barbara as well. Cubbie was still here too when I started the blog, but she's resting now in the garden of the home where she was born. 

I also had more hair on my head!

But since then (and since the last decade check-in ten years ago), I've met Jennifer, who brings such happiness into my life. I've bought a home in the area where I was raised, and which I nickname my "holy land". I've also bought one of my dream cars to boot. Although even that had to go recently!

Ten years ago I wondered to myself: "While my leap in fortunes may not be as great as the last ten years, it will be interesting to see what the future holds." Work-wise, I'm not better off now than I was then. But the memories I've made with Jen, my family, and my friends make up for anything money can buy. I saw a message on the internet once that said "remember the days you prayed for what you have now", and it's something I think about often. As far as what I wished for, I think I got there in the end. I'd love to bring my younger self here and show him everything I've achieved. I like to think he'd be impressed.

A Nasty Suprise

Someone drove into the back of me while I was waiting at a red light, then drove off!

I got out of the car, and said we should exchange insurance information. He said he didn't know where it was, so I said he can look it up on his phone. As I walked away to do the same, he drove off. While I did get his number plate as he fled; after looking it up, it seems it's fake! So he'll never face justice. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now, I suppose.

Local Excitement

On Tuesday, we had just woken up when we saw a flash of light outside. I then noticed not only was the internet down (again), but the clock on the cooker was out. We'd had another power cut! Trying to get through online was a disaster, as everyone was overloading the already poor mobile broadband. We were going to go to Mum's, but the power was out there too. We decided to drive to Sway, and see how it was going over there. Along the way, we thought we'd check Passford House Hotel to see if they had power. Luckily it had just come back on, so we spent the morning working there. Not a bad change of scenery!