Lister Family Christmas Newsletter 2025

2025 started with some very wintry weather, we had snow drifts of half a metre around our house and on the roof in early January. The snow was followed by clear blue skies and sunshine and we had some lovely walks – see some photos here.

We have been very lucky to spend lots of quality time with our grandchildren. Hannah is now 2 years old, has become a very confident walker / runner and her speech and comprehension are coming on in leaps and bounds. She hasn’t mastered the balance bike yet but it won’t be long now. Robbie and family visited HillTop for his 5th birthday; we went to Diggerland in Castleford - everyone thoroughly enjoyed driving real diggers and other construction equipment! We were apparently blessed with a quiet day (but then it was cold and February) so didn’t have to queue for any of the attractions; we tried everything and then had time to repeat our favourites. We all loved it and I suspect that a repeat visit may well be on the cards for 2026! Harriet was 8 in October and is growing up fast; for her birthday she wanted te re-decorate her bedroom, replacing the previous wall decorations with a more mature theme including photographic prints of wildlife that she had seen.

In early April the whole family got together in Andalucia. The villa had the luxury of a private swimming pool which was a huge hit with all of the children. Hannah hadn’t been too enthusiatic about the swimming pool at home in Portishead, but the warm water, sunshine and enthusiastic antics of Harriet and Robbie soon had her hooked.

June saw Jane and I taking the campervan to Tintagel in between visits to Bosham and Portishead. It’s been too many years since we were last in Cornwall and we really enjoyed exploring the coastal footpath and some charming coves and beaches.

Everyone headed to Northumberland in July and fortunately we had good weather for days on the wonderful beaches and a boat trip to the Farne Isles where we saw seals, puffins, arctic terns, guillemots, eider ducks etc. On a visit to Alnwick Castle, a location for some of the Harry Potter films, Harriet had broomstick flying lessons!

Jonathan’s friend Mike became seriously ill necessitating several stays in hospital and culminating in his death in mid October. We had been friends with Mike since college days, that’s 43 years! He didn’t have much family but doted on our children. Jonathan spent a lot of time making visists to the care home and hospital, and is now embroiled in sorting out his rather complex estate – oh the joys of being an executor of the will!

In October Jane had an operation to fit a “neuro-stimulator”, which is a medical device comprising eight electrodes, battery pack and controlling electronics, into her lower back. These electrodes are designed to stimulate some muscles that have become dormant as a result of a back injury sustained many years ago. Once the initial trauma had settled the equipment was “activated” and calibrated; now Jane does two half-hour sessions each day to stimulate the muscles. The hope is that after persevering for 6 to 9 months and doing some physiotherapy she may start to get some releif from her back pain. Consequently we have been laying low during most of October and November – Jonathan has been practicing his “House Elf” skills and Jane has been getting used to being a Bionic Woman ;-)

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2026.

Click here for our 2025 photograph album.

Love from Jane and Jonathan.