Happy New Year

It’s hard to even fathom that 20 years ago today we were at work unsure as to whether the computers would even come back on after we came back from the new Millennia celebration. Millennials can look up that near calamity here.

2019 has flown by, work has been the busiest I have known it since I’ve been in Bermuda, the results have been bloody good though, but absolutely exhausting and it didn’t surprise me to just be told I have almost 4 weeks holiday left for the year.

My predilection for travelling has thus taken a backward seat this year, for which I’m very disappointed with myself. Good news though is that after years of attempting to renovate a house in Sarasota, Florida, which has veered from the tortuous to the exorbitant, it may finally become liveable so that is an exciting development and will be a home from home.

We’ve lived in the same Bermuda house for almost ten years, And I’ve never lived in one place that long since I lived with my parents. That will change soon into the new year as we will move to a new place. We rent as does almost every ex-Pat, but we have had a falling out with our landlord over some hurricane damage the house sustained in September, which compelled us to look elsewhere and we are thrilled to be moving.

Importantly the new place will be very close to the island’s national stadium where our daughter spends so much time at the swimming pool including some very early mornings. I can also walk to work, and it gets us out of a beastly (by Bermuda standards) commute.

My kids continue to make me proud. The little ‘un is a fearsome competitor, hilarious and caring. My son is proving himself in the work place. He has a great work ethic and already planning his future like a middle-aged man. I want to see him more next year along with my parents and mates back at home. Life is going far too quick.

Being a Charlton fan this last decade has been pretty bleak, Sir Chris Powell’s time aside, but in 2019 Lee Bowyer masterminded against all odds one of the best moments of my Addicks supporting life, about 46 years. I still regularly look at those Wembley video’s and it was a remarkable culmination of a fantastic season. Bowyer, Jackson and others have truly re-ignited that Charlton flame in so many of us.

Long may it continue, and now we sit here on New Year’s Eve on the cusp of another new chapter with, and I have everything crossed when I write this, with Roland Duchatelet’s ownership finally consigned to history and a new era to begin. Owners hopefully that value the community, spirit and history of what Charlton means to so many people. Come on EFL, get your bloody finger out.

Finally, huge thanks to you for taking time out of your busy days to stop by this Blog and read my assorted musings, especially those regular few that leave comments, it means a lot.

We’re out for an early dinner with some friends and kids, and then I’ll be sat on my sofa with a nice bottle of Brunello attempting to stay awake until midnight.

Whatever you are doing tonight, have fun and I wish you all a happy and healthy 2020.

CA