Our 1999 circular

Our 1999 circular

Peter: Highlight was being rescued from Driving Standards and Nottingham by a better-paid and Sheffield-based job for Ufi - which for reasons too complicated to fit in here, is almost, but not quite, the University for Industry.

Now often walk to work with Elaine (45mins but downhill) in a forlorn waistline-control attempt. Remainder of time not travelling used up in the expansion of work to fill all available hours. Still quite fun, though.

Viewed the eclipse from Plymouth Hoe - cloudy but most impressive I thought - Guardian said it was in the 'zone of total disappointment'.

First event as SUGCR (Southampton University bellringers) President was their opening of 'miniring' - a set of handbell sized bells with ropes like tower bells, hung in the Students' Union. Picture on the front page of 'Ringing World' - fame at last.

Elaine: Closed a canal lockgate at Barton-under-Needwood to find firm ground behind was in fact steep steps Rolled spectacularly down about 6ft fortunately not into the canal.

Broke right elbow (much use of frozen sausages to limit swelling). Later had pins inserted. Still recovering (6wks) Limits all leisure activities (canalling, ringing, yoga) and makes work very wearing.

Work for Rotherham (still three and a half day week) being privatised with possible move next year to Burton-on-Trent.

Highlight, as usual, emptying all the elsans at the Worcester IWA rally .

Iain: Secured four A-levels (ABBC) and hence a place at Bristol to do Maths.

Glumness for exams quickly superseded by glumness for results, paled into insignificance against glumness for Bristol accommodation. Ended up in hall. Demanded new computer which now has to be carted about the country at ends of term.

Communications restricted to e-mail, which is better than nothing, or would be if he could spell. Says he is fat and well. (geddit?) Expensive luxury, students.

Canalling: about ten trips this year, including a couple in Birmingham while still working for DSA. Year's highlight was travelling all night to arrive at Braunston to ring with SUGCR on another canal trip. At 3am steered past a moored boat whose (male) crew were completing the process of transferring beer from keg to cut. Lacked clothes. Elaine, (supposed to be asleep at the front) stuck her head out of the hatch to pass the time of day. As you do.

Later that trip, completed the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations in 6 days, including the 24hour 'Marathon Challenge' during which we had a film crew (of one!) interviewing and filming for a canalling TV series to be shown in Spring 2000.

Celebration for our Silver Wedding anniversary.