Cheers again!

And now it is time to raise my glass to all family and friends in the UK for they have just arrived at 12 noon on the 25th December 2015. I notice I have had a number of views to my blog in the last hour. Hope you liked what you saw.

So now I am enjoying the aftertaste of my sekt again as I think about all who sent me cards, news and greetings. Yes, but where to begin? I was surprised by how many of you added a comment that you read my blog, enjoy my comments about life in Berlin and hope I continue.

Now that was a surprise. How many of you knew that I was thinking about closing my blog? Can you pick up 'vibes' over so many miles? I decided to wait until we were into January to make a decision. The other option is to reduce the period older posts are available. At the moment you can read things back to 2008. I wonder if I should reduce this down to two years.

Meanwhile, I was overwhelmed by the greetings and kind messages. I was also concerned at news of health problems, operations in the recent past or waiting in the new year. I shall of course only communicate directly in such cases and not over this blog.

One thing that brought tears to my eyes was opening a thick envelope from Jan and Arancha. In addition to Christmas wishes were six 'old fashioned' photographs of their wedding and I was on three of them. I shall have to share this in a later post. Memories of a day I shall never forget.

I also received surprise gifts of music CDs from two ladies in my Oldie English classes. We talk about our musical tastes so they know mine. Nice of them to send me these presents. There was also a surprise gift from Ozland. Big thank to Ian and Birgit. I look forward to reading it as we move towards Spring and to sending you my comments.

To end, I shall add photos of the cards, photos, presents I received. Thanks to all of you and I look forward to seeing many of you in person in the New Year. Later this afternoon Mr Muscles is dropping in. Yes, he is here in Berlin and not in Hungary. Nice surprise for me and I'm looking forward to hearing all his news.