Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
John & Eleanor Coulthard
December, 2007

Oh my gosh – it's snowing! Time to write the Xmas letter – the fireplace is crackling – piles of papers, books, music and recipes are about. So much to do. But here goes. (It seems these Christmas letters become more meaningful each year. We enjoy hearing from you. We hope you enjoy our news too.)

We have survived another year over 65! Notice our four lovely granchildren above; they give us so much pleasure. Kathy and Mike are fine too. Kathy, Doug, Michaela and Maile are moving to Comox on Vancouver Island this month. They are looking forward to getting away from the busy city and living in a more “child friendly” neighbourhood. Mike Christy, Jessica and Tyler are thriving in North Vancouver, Mike with his Environmental Consulting company and Christy back to teaching.

Our year started out with another trip to CUBA to tour and sing Gospel Music with our friend Peter and his wife Dorothy. He organizes sight seeing and singing tours for amateur choristers. 

Although John's knees are caving in we manage to get about, chop wood and service water collection systems. Spring brought many cabin renovations. With help from son-in-law Doug and brother “Johnny”, our home now sports an expansive new deck. We have a new metal roof too and are now collecting water off it. Combined with a new water tank, filtration and sterilizing equipment collection off the roof has made a big difference to our supply and quality of water. We also have new kitchen cabinets and appliances and new flooring throughout the cabin.

Due to renovations we got a late start boating this year and cruised only as far as Desolation Sound. Here is a picure of Galiander in Von Donop Inlet, Cortez Island in the morning after a front had gone through. Galiander is in good shape and is currently in a boatyard in Sidney for engine work and fibreglass repairs.

Music continues to occupy an important part of our retirement and island life. This year we participated in an off-broadway musical called “In The Beginning”, a comedy, loosely based on the book of Genesis. The play involved an intensive six weeks of memorizing lyrics, sewing costumes, painting sets and frantic rehearsals. It was great fun. We played the part of two angels – can you imagine that!!

Last night we were dressed up as urchins for a reading of Charles Dickens “Christmas Carol”. We were singing carols between the readers. We are presently practicing for our final Christmas Concert with Coro Galiano, which will include Charpentier's “Messe de Minute”, the Halleluha Chorus from the Messiah, several pieces from Carmina Burana and a piece by Berlioz. We will be accompanied by a four piece string quartet.

We are pleased that Dad, at a grand 98 years will be with us here for Christmas. We look forward to sharing an Island Christmas with him, brother Johnny and family.

Until next year all the best and may you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

John & Eleanor

If you would like a print friendly version of this letter click here for an Adobe PDF version.