2014 has been a transition year for me - I started it as the Stern Assistant Headteacher of an Outstanding Southampton secondary school, always dressed in black, and I ended it as a happy go lucky globetrotting free spirit, as at home in Amsterdam gay bars as I am in my own front room.
In 2014 I continued to attend the Science Fiction book club. The members of this fraternity are amazing in many ways - so I will pick out just one of their little quirks - not one of them likes football; apart from me that is. Not only do they not like football I would go so far as to say that they actually loathe and despise it. We meet on the second Thursday of every month in Waterstones Above Bar and a lively discussion ensues. I have been introduced to a number of authors I didn't know about and some of them are good. I recommend Mike Carey and Neal Stephenson.
Talking of football, Southampton football club have really done the business in 2014, and I have some great memories of our away trips particularly to Arsenal (in the league cup), West Ham and Swansea.
In 2014 I continued to attend the Science Fiction book club. The members of this fraternity are amazing in many ways - so I will pick out just one of their little quirks - not one of them likes football; apart from me that is. Not only do they not like football I would go so far as to say that they actually loathe and despise it. We meet on the second Thursday of every month in Waterstones Above Bar and a lively discussion ensues. I have been introduced to a number of authors I didn't know about and some of them are good. I recommend Mike Carey and Neal Stephenson.
Talking of football, Southampton football club have really done the business in 2014, and I have some great memories of our away trips particularly to Arsenal (in the league cup), West Ham and Swansea.
Now that I don't go to work I have a lot more time for hobbies and activities. We joined the National Trust this year and visited a lovely selection of gardens and properties - some of these were with the Old Horts, that wonderful collection of people who love gardening and gardens. My friend Ally has introduced me to the joys of researching into local history, and I am in the process of finding out the names of all the people who have ever lived in our house.
I've kept all my old hobbies going - which are knitting, reading, cooking, Southampton football club, drinking wine and I've added some new ones. The delightful Science department sent me on a photography safari, and I liked it so much I am going on another one. I have my own SLR camera now and although I know what those letters stand for I am not sure what they actually mean; I intend to use 2015 to find out. I have had a lifelong ambition to learn to play the piano, and now I am actually doing it! We go to the gym every day and go to Spanish lessons every week. Added to that I have now joined the ladies wot lunch, so I am really looking forward to 2015. Happy New Year everybody.