Most especially, Annie and I got a new camper van. Dixie Baby, (from the number plate – DXE BBE) our Nissan camper, had served us well and faithfully for several years, and we had some great adventures together. But it was getting harder to cope with the small size and cramped conditions, especially as we had to put up the awning alongside it to make room for us and the dogs to sleep at night!
So we went shopping. And came back with with Didi (named using a similar number plate logic).
Didi is a Bailey B62 Endeavour, a camper van conversion based on a Ford Transit hi-top. And it’s a beauty. Much more space, of course, and especially more height! No more banging my head every time I stand up. More storage space, a proper bed (or two sofa’s, depending on how you set it up) – and a proper toilet – even a shower!
Driving such a big vehicle was a bit of a challenge – for Annie, that is, I’m not allowed behind the steering wheel! But she’s quickly got used to it, and to the automatic gearbox which is another new thing for her. The dogs loved it as well. Willow quickly established her favourite sleeping spot, tucked away underneath the bed. Edna likes to be on the bed, but there is room for her basket, to which she is sent when we want to sleep.
We lost no time in getting some use out of Didi, with several short breaks around the UK. However, the real adventure came in August / September, when we went back to Ireland.
Thirty years ago this year we went there for our honeymoon, and have been wanting to go back ever since. Kids, dogs and other impediments have kept us from that up to now, but this year, we finally made it and spent a wonderful few weeks driving round in Didi, stopping at campsites for a few days at a time before moving on to new scenery. We were hoping to re-visit some of the places we’d been to before, but were a little hindered in that by the fact that we couldn’t remember where they were! Still, we did get to see a couple of spots that we know we’d been to, even if we couldn’t quite recall the details, and along the way we saw a lot of new sights.
My personal new thing for 2025 was that I completed my first trilogy! ‘The Empire of Silence’ is a fantasy series that I began back in 2012 or 13, with no plans at all to write a full trilogy of stories. But I’d written short stories for all our boys, and Annie, not unnaturally, wanted to know when I’d write her one. I decided that a love story would be appropriate – though I hadn’t attempted to write any romance before – so I began with this line…
‘In the seventy eighth year of her rule, the Empress Anatarna decided to take a lover.’
After that, things sort of got out of hand. Twelve years, three volumes and 311,735 words later (including appendices) I wrote the final line…
‘Arton stepped aside, and Layen stood in the entrance, and the world was filled with the scent of flowers.’
I hadn’t planned it, but it finished as it began, with a love story.
The first two books, ‘The Empress’s Lover’ and ‘The Hidden Libraries’ are available online (though at present the first book is an e-book only). The plan is for these to be republished as new editions, along with the third book, ‘The Fortress of Silence’, and they should all be out with Resolute Books sometime in 2026. Watch my Facebook page or this website for news!
Annie has also had a significant new event – she’s acquired a new knee. (Same number of legs, though). But her old knee has been unfit for purpose for several years, so she was glad to finally have the operation. It went very smoothly, though recovery and getting her full use of it back is a frustratingly slow and often quite painful. However, she had been persevering with the physio, demonstrating her usual grit and determination, and is making excellent progress. She’s already looking forward to doing some serious walking next year!
As for the rest of the family, Andy and his girlfriend Joanna are still doing their veterinary work down in London. It’s amazing to think that they’ve been qualified vets for over a year now. One new thing for him is that he has been getting involved with ‘Street Vet’, a charity that helps homeless people with free veterinary care for their pets. Next year he’s planning to run the London Marathon to raise money for them – for more information on that, and to give your support, see the link below.
Matt, who despite being somewhat stress-averse (like his father!), has had to manage some new situations this year. First he moved from Llanelli to Swansea, to a flat overlooking the bay, which has made travelling to work easier. He’s still in the same job – though he has had a promotion this year. He has graciously accepted the new salary and has been studying hard to pass the required exams. Results in the new year.
Tom, Charlotte and Otis, however, have had a major new thing happen – they’ve moved into a new house! Always a big thing, and it can be a cause of stress, though it seems that Otis has coped with it very well, and quite likes his new home. But even this is put in the shade by the major new thing that they are expecting next year, because Charlotte is expecting! Yes Otis is going to be getting a new brother or sister next summer, and is very excited about it. As are we all. Many congratulations to Tom and Charlotte!
And finally, the dogs… Edna and Willow don’t need anything new. They have a full enough life already – eating, walking, barking at squirrels, getting cuddles, sleep and repeat. Edna has had a new coat for Christmas, (which she is a bit dubious about: ‘Is it really my colour?’) and they will both be ready for turkey leftovers – but nothing else is required. They are a great lesson in contentment.
Wishing you all joy this Christmas, and good things for the New Year!
Paul, Annie, Edna and Willow.
For information about my books (and about us – most of our annual letters are here), take a look around the rest of my website. I also have a Facebook page for my writing news, at Paul Trembling – Writing.
