Saturday 28th June

We returned from Italy earlier this week having been there for Martin and Tina's big birthday bash in Pozzuolo. We had a wonderful time enjoying great weather and company. Thank you, Sandra, for looking after us so well. Pictures are of Jane at the birthday lunch and Sandra's wonderful home.

Jane found the Ryanair seats really uncomfortable but she coped womanfully with the peculiar motion of our rented Chevrolet Matiz!!

She is seeing her consultant on Monday; if there is anything of real interest I will blog again next week.

Leo is working at Glastonbury and Lydia is at a wedding this weekend.

Love to all of you.

Sunday 8th June 2008

Sorry folks - I got confused with my dates at the last entry and posted June instead of May. Well, now it is June and we shall wait to see if it flames. Both Lydia and Leo are home at the moment and we have all enjoyed the Salisbury Festival of Arts that finished last night with a party in Cathedral Close and fireworks.

Lydia had a friend, Suzanne, staying at the start of the festival who was involved in a performance art piece called "Hotel Medea" that was put on by a cooperative group that was part Brazilian, part British - if I got it right. Anyway it started at midnight and the first part finshed at 2am when Jane and I left; it then went on 'til dawn. Lydia and Leo both stayed. It was an amazing performance which we all enjoyed but it left us tired for Tinariwen (fantastic band from Mali) the following night. The lead singer/guitarist collapsed on stage towards the end (we gather subsequently from exhaustion) but not because he had been at Hotel Medea (sorry- weak joke).

Now we have 2 girls from S Africa staying who are part of the Fezeka choir in the Cape Town townships. The choir has been fantastic and we have also been treated to a talk from Archbishop Tutu and a chance to meet him this afternoon at the Bshop's tea party.

So, what of Jane? Well, she's running around at full speed looking after guests and children - and she doesn't like being told to slow down. If you know her you will get the picture. Anyway, the girls return to SA on 17 June and we head for Italy on 19 June to see Martin and Tina Leggett for their birthdays.

We are sooo lucky! Pictures this time of Leo with Archbishop Tutu and Ntombe (one of our guests) and the fireworks last night.

Love to you all.

Groveley Wood - Sunday 11th June 2008

Jane and I went up to Groveley Woods, just outside Salisbury, this afternoon for a stroll. I attach a photo of the bluebells and a little bunch of wild flowers that Jane collected. It really feels like summer today - hurrah.

Love to all

Peter and Jane

Thursday 1st May 2008

We had a great weekend in Barcelona. Jane did really well and had sufficient energy and stamina to visit the Picasso Museum, Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and take in the shops. We also found some wonderful restaurants and enjoyed an Oxfam event in the park on Sunday morning.

As we were leaving the park we were treated to the sight of a policeman arresting an unlicensed balloon salesman. He got the seller into the car OK, it was just the 169 balloons that caused a problem! On completion of the task he got a round of applause but he blanked us all - too bad. Photo attached.

I had the chance to have some really good runs along the seafront to try and counter all the excellent food - not much luck there!

We got home on Tuesday night and since then Jane has had a cold but apart from that all is well. Thanks for continuing prayers - they do work.

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

Jane went to see her oncologist on Monday. Her tumour markers have dropped a further 2 points! It's still going in the right direction. She gets tired and achy but we think that's related to the painkillers as much as anything.

Anyway, to cheer her up there is an addition to the family in the form of Edith (see picture) - a therapet. She is supposed to be Lydia's cat but Jane and Edie dote on one another.

Other news - Lydia has passed her driving test, I have retired from the Regular Army (but I'm still working!) and we are about to have a long weekend in Barcelona.

Jane has requested that we keep this blog going and so, of course, we shall! It's a great way to stay in touch and we appreciate your posts too!

Love from us all and thanks for your continued prayers.

Sunday 9th March 2008

Jane went to see the oncologist at the end of last month. Her tumour markers have fallen again! She is now down to 75. Last year about this time it was close to 2000. Apparently the average count for people unaffected by cancer is about 30. This is great news. She doesn't need to see the oncologist again until April and no more treatment in the meantime. That means that she will have had 6 clear months without requiring chemo. Of course, she still needs painkillers and a lot of rest for the damage already done but this is still wonderful news.

We will keep this site going for the time being and post once a month at least until April when we shall review. As always, thanks to you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Friday 15th February 2008

Life is so normal at the moment that we quite forgot to update the blog. Apologies to anyone who wondered whether we are still here. First, the important part. Jane is well. She is still taking quite a lot of painkillers and she gets tired and achy but apart from that things seem pretty good. She has another apointment with her oncologist at the end of this month and we will report again after that.

Family news isn't hugely startling but; Lydia has finished her probationary period at the Playhouse and has had a pay rise. She is due to take her driving test in a couple of weeks. Leo is now doing documentary film at Newport and enjoying it far more than the previous course. I am about to leave the Regular Army after nearly 33 years and will then serve in civilian clothes doing a personnel job. The work is close to Salisbury and will provide the stability we need at the moment.

We'll update a bit more at the end of the month. Best wishes to you all and thanks for all the encouragement and prayers.