It’s a bit late this year but love Nick that he has still done our newsletter despite really not ‘feeling it’.
It’s definitely been a strange year, especially the end of it, and I can’t say I’ll be too sad when it comes to an end. But like so many others, the sadness of having lost a parent will still be there even once we roll into 2024.
So, enjoy those that are still with you, and we wish you all the best for 2024.
The Gascoyne Christmas Newsletter 2023 by Nick!
Before we get into the irreverent and mildly sarcastic annual newsletter, I will take some lines to remember Mum, who passed away unexpectedly on the morning of 25th August this year. Her passing has left a huge Joy shaped hole and we miss her every day, but as I said when I spoke at her funeral let’s remember the good stuff. I am lucky that she was with me for 48 years, and although I want it to be far more, I remind myself it could have been fewer and I think to the positive memories we have of time spent with her.
I remember the last time she visited us at the house for a drink and play pool (she potted the black to win the match!) and how much fun she had. I remember how she loved getting photos and messages from Rebecca when she visited Barcelona with her friend and how excited she was for Rebecca’s’ trip to Australia. I remember Mum spending hours with Debs in the garden to get it looking good and advising the best plants for the right spots. I remember holidays, games, playing cards, being reprimanded and put in my place when it needed to happen. And I remember how she (surprisingly) found these annual musings most amusing, and I note to myself with sad reflection that for the first time since I started writing these, Mum will not laugh, will not call me to say how funny she found it. Miss you Mum…
So now we can get on with the newsletter in a way that usually made mum laugh – by being a bit cheeky and celebrating my inner misery at having to repeat this task for the 14th consecutive year, so buckle up for 2 pages of levity and magic because as I have said before, if I gotta write it, you gotta read it.
So let us begin with the brave and inspirational Debbles who continues to demonstrate the skills of a timelord by managing to work a full-time job, cycle 50-100 miles a week, run a household (although the cleaner and 2 gardeners do help a bit with this) and raise money for Myeloma UK – being well on her way toward the magical quarter of a million target. Let’s just pause for a moment and recognise that amount for an independent fundraiser and let some of that glow reflect back on each of you who have sponsored her challenges, bought tickers, attended events, provided prizes and just generally given support over that last 12+ years. We genuinely appreciate all your help – you are fab.
And as if this was not enough, Deb has demonstrated the most unexpected of skills as she has finally persuaded yours truly onto a road bike and I am signed up for two 100km rides in February and April next year. Now for the those of you currently imagining me in full lycra – hahahaha and I hope you can get rid of that taste of bile in the back of your throat in time for Christmas. Deb and I will tackle the Loch Ness Attack at the end of April, so get your hands back in your pockets as we call upon you yet again for sponsorship, but mostly for me. And if you don’t cough up, I know where you live – and a lycra clad Nick will be wobbling his way to your door (green vomit emoji).
Away from my bicycle exploits I started a new job in January and have enjoyed the first year, and my whisky rabbit holing continues unabated and Dad and I recently visited the only Derbyshire distillery when we went to White Peak for a tour and some general shenanigans around his old stomping grounds – great fun.
A few weeks ago, Deb and I spent a few days in Norway with family – big shout out to Vince and Sarah who were thoughtful and generous hosts – and had a great time. We were lucky with the weather, enjoyed some wonderful day trips to the coast, the mountains, a modest Christmas market and the fjords, and ate very well indeed. Oh and Sarah taught me how to knit – fair to say I am not a natural, but God loves a trier (so he/she doesn’t like me very much).
And earlier in the year we have a big family holiday to France with Rebecca, Sam, Ju and Amy – plus Marley. 2 cars allowed us to bring back additional booze (all legal and above board of course).
Rebecca has had a very eventful year, culminating in a move to the other side of the globe to spend time with family in Perth and Adelaide. Another shout out to Kat, Mikey, Finlay and Bee who invited Bex into their home for 8 weeks and to Jo, Ben and their girls who have welcomed her for Christmas and a few months in 2024. Thanks for looking after our baby and send her home safely at the end of her trip (with a couple bottles of the finest Tasmanian whisky!). I miss her, but she seems to be really enjoying the experience and is starting to suggest she might even strike out and travel – so watch this space. She will return to us in 2024 for the next chapter- we hope!
Before she got as far away from us as she possibly could, she smashed her A-levels and achieved more than her predicted grades after some considerable effort. She passed her driving test at the start of the year, worked long hours at the café and the golf club to earn readies for her travels and had a lovely trip to Barcelona with her friends. Next year she will be 20 – how fast does time go??
Next up is wunderkind who has had an eventful and successful 12 months. A year and a half in and he and Juliet are going strong and he very kindly shares table clearing, washing machine filling and emptying and dog walking duties with her – he is a very kind chap. More than two thirds through his A-level years and already with an A in maths under his belt, he is set to gather some strong results that will set him up for the next part of his journey. Sam has his heart set on a degree Apprenticeship for Quantity Surveying and is currently going through the application process – the future looks bright…or so he tells us.
And so there we are – another year done and out thoughts turn to 2024, but first let us wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you for your love and support during a tough 2023 – it means a lot to us. And here’s to a great 2024.
With much love from us all
Nick, Deb, Rebecca, Sam & Marley (no mention of him again this year….anyone would think I don’t like him)
Debs' Journey with Myeloma 
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