It has been great to catch up with quite a few friends and families over the past year. With both of us now retired it is so much easier to move around.

We started the year with orienteering in the South Island - from Nelson to Naseby. On the final day Ian experienced the first of a number of signs that suggested that things were not quite right so before the end of January he had seen our GP, visited the cardiologist and then was in for an angiogram and angioplasty which resulted in the placement of a stent in a major artery. The artery was 90% blocked but luckily there was no damage to the heart and he was able to fully compete in three days orienteering at Waitangi weekend just 12 days later,

In May and June we made a great trip back to the SI where we rode the Otago Central Rail Trail. It was late in the season and winter had come early so we experienced snow, sleet, rain, wind and frost but had a great time nevertheless. We look forward to going back some time and also anticipate great rides on the new tracks being developed throughout the country. We came home via the beautiful West Coast where we spent 5 lovely days in Karamea - no snow and wind there!

Allison has finally slowed down a little and is starting to enjoy retirement. She spent a number of days back at the College earlier in the year - filling in for holidays and helping with the annual accounts but will struggle to find time to do such in the future.

We are involved in a walking group, a cycle group and have joined the gym (generally cycling to and from) to increase our overall fitness. Free travel encourages us to take the train into Wellington on some fine days where we enjoy the lovely waterfront and visit the museums, art galleries and the movies.

Ian continues as a busy secretary to the large Kapiti Chorale who put on three quality concerts each year. Allison has started playing bridge and hopes that in 20 years time she will be able to be considered reasonably competent at the game!

The families continue to be well and busy. Kaye and Andy take the family camping when they can find a few days free. Kaye works part time at Te Omonga Hospice and a local GP clinic. Rachael has just completed her first NCEA exams, Tom starts College next year, Joey will be at Intermediate and Dominic, two years younger, is flying through school.

David and Trudy have had a year of commuting from Palmerston North, where their home, is to Wellington where David has been financial consultant to Capital and Coasts District Health Board. They have usually stayed in Wellington Monday to Thursday nights, apart from the occasional times when David has had work in other parts of the country.

Susan and Bill enjoy their home in Whiteman's Valley and are learning to look after chickens and sheep. Kieran and Oliver catch the bus to Pinehaven School. Lara (Larissa) is a bouncy 2 year old. Susan continues 2 days a week at Industrial Research and Bill checks in at the office in Sheffield, UK two or three times a year for 3-4 weeks. Kieran has started doing his own orienteering courses.

Graeme and Rachael took Harry and Charlotte on a great holiday to Singapore, Paris, New York and LA earlier in the year and then Harry started at Northland School (Ian's old school) at the beginning of term 3.

Best wishes to you all.

Christmas greetings and best wishes for 2010

Ian & Allison