Merry Christmas 2023

Hi there and a very merry Xmas and a happy and safe New Year to you all.

As has become the ‘norm’ these days we are sending our love and best wishes to all our family and friends via our blog page. That way we don’t miss anyone.

As Queen Elizabeth II said in 1992 “this year has been Annus Horribilus” for us.  Most of you know what a difficult year it has been for Shane in particular.  Hopefully we will receive a positive report from the doctors shortly so that 2024 will be an improvement.  Just the same we will remain positive and expect the best of outcomes.

Despite the stresses of the past year we have managed a few outings to ‘decompress’.  After last year’s 4 month backpack through Bangkok, Turkey, Greece, Italy and France (and home again via a week in Bali) we were put under doctor’s orders to cut out the long trips for now.  This didn’t stop us having the occasional break.  We had a few days on Magnetic Island early in the year followed by a fortnight or so in Bowen then Mission Beach.  In November we flew down to Bungendore near Canberra for another fantastic gathering of my Navy Recruit intake.  We’ll finish the year with a family week on Magnetic Island over Xmas.

These breaks are a necessary stress relief for us but the best way to lift our spirits is our strong family links.  Adrian, Lin, Karen and Stu make us so proud to see how they are raising our 3 gorgeous grandchildren. Each week we have the most chaotic, hilarious and fun family meals together.  Watching the way that all 3 kids play and take care of each other is heart warming.  In particular, Joy (9) and Sonny (5) are brilliant the way they include and care for cousin Millie (3).  The screams of laughter and glee are truly wonderful noises.

Both Adrian and Karen and their respective families are doing well.  Karen and Stu are both expected to remain here in Townsville with the Army for several years yet.  Millie is booming despite her Down Syndrome.  Once she starts verbalising there will be no stopping her.  She and I (Garry) are best buds and when we get together the chasings and wrestling goes on for ever.  So much fun.

Adrian and Lin share time with Joy and Sonny and the kids are thriving.  Joy is becoming a young lady who still loves a cuddle with Nanna and Grandy.  Sonny, meanwhile, shows patience and logic beyond his years.  He delights in building Lego and solving problems designed for kids twice his age.  He is also a champion Ju Jitsu proponent.

Shane and I are under doctors orders not to travel too far from home for now but we’re still planning trips following his go ahead.  Shane wants to get to NZ and I want to get back to Italy and the Med. During last year’s ‘Memorial Tour’ (we visited the Bridge on the River Kwai, Gallipoli, D-Day Beaches, Dunkirk and the battlefields of the Somme’) we also had a stop at the birthplace of my maternal grandfather to see if we could find out anything about his mysterious past.  While there we met up with another Capisani (Luca) who, if not related by blood, certainly is now considered family to us.  With Luca’s wonderful help and local knowledge we have now discovered heaps about Grandpa and the beautiful city of Mantua in northern Italy.

Shane never likes to sit still and happily fills her time with her crafts (cross stitch, knitting, genealogy and pottering in the garden).  She also visits the aged mum of a mate of mine where the two women have a natter session and a cuppa.  We’ve both lost around 20kgs this year and we both feel better for it.

Well that’s all for now. We’re always happy to have visitors in our 2 bedroom unit so hopefully we’ll see you soon.  Apart from the wet season (I’m typing this as Cyclone Jasper is approaching the NQ coast) it is always lovely here in Townsville.

Have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.  May you and your family prosper and enjoy life to the maximum.

Garry and Shane.

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