Christmas Message 2006

Our second Christmas in Canterbury arrives with much to report about our first full year in this lovely corner of Kent. Although at times it seems that we have made little progress, physically we have achieved an enormous amount. We have purchased and put into service 6 properties which now form the basis of an income producing business for us. We have sold our London properties and moved everything (including old motorbikes and an attic full of stuff) down to our now permanent place of residence. Where the feeling of “little progress” is apparent is in our own living circumstances and spiritual welfare. We are still living in a half decorated 1960s box house (with a lovely flat roof – no attic space!) which has 3 bedrooms and now has 8 full time residents including us. You work out the maths. Actually to be fair we have just completed the conversion of the garage into a fourth bedroom which makes it a little more bearable. However, living like this has been challenging and without the close support network that fed our spirits in Ealing, it has at times been hard going.

The boys have been great. Having had a year travelling and now a year living in conditions that are not much different to a caravan/boat/airport or RV, they seem not to be too disturbed by our lack of facilities and home comforts. Their school has been the constant factor for them (in fact for all of us – since it is why we are here) bringing a sense of rhythm and focus. Driving them out to the school in the middle of beautiful Kent farmlands everyday and watching them prosper has been a joy. We simply cannot overstate how much better Steiner Waldorf education is for them. What is apparent is that we are the only parents we know who have nothing but praise for their children’s school and the system of education they are using. Just imagine “no SATS” and no “league tables”. There is so much not right about our state system ...... and we thought it was “education, education, education”.

Julie has been far more involved in the school in the last 6 months and has made a big impact. Apart from the standard of baking improving immensely, the parents organisation has been inspired. Julie became the Chair of the parent contacts (parents committee). As a result, this year’s advent bazaar (the main fundraiser of the year) broke all records in generating funds for the school. Julie’s class stall produced over double the income of last year’s. More importantly the organisation of the event was well prepared and completed with far less stress than before. Everyone agreed that she had been instrumental in this process. The school will never be the same again.

So the whole school / life thing is beginning to work well and this keeps us going when we look around at our primitive physical environment at home.

In addition to “running the school”, Julie is also working at her job. Billed as a “part time” job (what it really means is part time money for full time work) it has turned into a major undertaking. Her partner has been ill off work for some time and she has been doing at least 2 people’s work. The organisation for whom she works (Kent Refugee Action Network) has had it’s problems too, which has distracted from the work to be done and caused additional levels of stress.

In addition to the school and the job, Julie has also been looking after 8 people at home (have we ever been left hungry? – like heck), 6 properties (we are now up to managing 32 beds – just imagine the laundry – up to 5 loads a day) and church activities, like selling Christmas cards to support church members in Uganda.

We have also managed to receive some visitors this year which has been a real blessing and joy. It is clear how important our friends and family are to us. Thank you for being there.

For my own part, I have been responsible for the buying of the properties and much of the day to day running of the business. I have discovered the joys and sorrows of ironing, toilet cleaning, decorating, waiting for clients to arrive and working for the best part on my own. Probably one of the main reasons small businesses fail is the fact that working by yourself can be a tedious and sole destroying task. It saps your drive and tests your determination. If you are not a “loner” you are in for testing time. I hate it. Working by myself does not sit well with me. Julie tries to come with me to the flats as much as possible (when she does we always seems to get more than twice as much done) but of course her time is limited.

To alleviate the pain, I have taken a greater interest in stock market trading and now spend a couple of hours a day “fiddling” (as Julie calls it). I have not had very impressive results this year (have you ever met a rich day trader?) but more lately I am following several disciplined approaches (discipline is essential) that look more likely to be profitable. My own view, which I have been spouting for a year now, is that the markets (housing, equities, commodities) are scheduled to experience a significant correction (downward). I am trying to prepare for this and position myself to take advantage of it. Remember house, share and commodity prices can go down as well as up and never invest more than you can afford to loose!

News from our families includes: my sister Suzanne and her husband Rob have decided that old Blightly is not for them and are flying off to Auz (envy and sadness but joy for them) , my brother Tony and his wife Carolyn have become grand parents (my niece Lauren became a mother to Weslie this summer), my mother has been suffering a number of ailments including something called “transient amnesia” which means she sometimes doesn’t know what she just did but she has been well looked after by her husband Paul. Julie’s Mum and Dad have had some health issues this year but on the whole seem well disposed. Oh and we acquired 2 new members of the family; Sneezer and Cheeseburger the boys pet rats.

We are all looking forward to a more stable year next year and one that is perhaps run at a more dignified pace (I am still trying to teach Julie to say “no” to new jobs). I do hope that we may see you in the New Year and that this season meets you with joy and celebration for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Links:
www.canterburyservicedapartments.co.uk