HaPpY NeW YeAr 2021
from MaRtIn!
This is my annual newsletter, I would welcome receiving your news too!
Last Christmas I was lecturing on board the lovely Silversea's Silver Wind in the Caribbean. I flew out to San Juan on Puerto Rico via Miami for two back-to-back cruises. I enjoyed visiting four new ports, two new towns and two new islands! You can read my report here: Silver Wind Cruise
Back in Blighty, I spent an enjoyable New Year with my sister-in-law Pam, staying with her best friend Gill in Milton Keynes.
In January I was lecturing on board Saga's magnificent new ship, the Spirit of Discovery, going to the Canaries. You can read my blog here: Spirit of Discovery Cruise
In February I was writing lots of new port lectures which I was destined not to give.
In March I was lecturing on board the lovely Silversea's Silver Muse going around Australia & New Zealand.
I enjoyed visiting two new ports, one new town and one new cruise terminal!
You can read my report here:
Silver Muse Cruise
I got home just five days before our first corona virus lock down began.
I continued writing new port talks until mid May, when I finally gave up all hope of cruising again this year! During the course of the year I lost 10 cruise contracts, including planned first visits to Alaska, Greenland, Rio de Janeiro & Buenos Aires!
I was then given a contract by the Open University (OU) to evaluate LinkedIn.Com Learning. I also had my bi-annual appraisal with my OU staff tutor.
In both June and August I stayed with my sister-in-law Pam in Harlow, as we both self-isolated prior to two visits to a private hospital in Kent. During the second of these stays, I had a most enjoyable day out with Ruth (ex Keele University) & Steve in Cambridge.
From August until November my line dance class and walking groups thankfully restarted.
In September I had a lovely long weekend AirBnB-ing in North Devon & Somerset. I particularly enjoyed Clovelly, Lynmouth and Dunster.
In October my old gas boiler was condemned and I have had a new combi boiler installed in lieu.
With a drop in student numbers caused by COVID-19, the OU asked me to take one year's unpaid leave of absence.
In the second lock down I discovered so many new local nature reserves in the BCP conurbation. You can check out my pictures on my FaceBook account as "Martin Peter Lee".
As I write, it looks like I shall be having a very quiet Christmas at home!