Dearest Pat This was our first Christmas and New Year apart since we first met in 1959, and it has been impossible not to think of the very many festive periods, 56 in all, that were always the high point of our year. From Cheltenham to Clevedon, Kenilworth to Modbury, and Dunchurch to Trebetherick, festive celebrations were always happy family occasions, even when marred by illness, sorrow, or work commitments. Particular memories abound, such as driving to Brands Hatch for the Boxing Day Motor racing meeting, dropping the nearly cooked turkey on the kitchen floor when I had to turn my hand to cooking whilst you were ill with thyroid problems during one of our first Christmas's, and my spending nearly all one Christmas Day semi - conscious in the downstairs cloakroom after quaffing too much (spiked!) punch at a neighbour's Xmas morning drinks party. You particularly always took trouble to ensure that the children, Nigel and Rebecca, had as good a Christmas as possible, even when earnings were limited in our early years together, but I unfortunately spoiled their Santa Clause dream, or at least Rebecca's, when I tipsyly dropped her large bag of presents, and fell over it onto her bedroom floor. You were always your beautiful, elegant, considerate and resolute self, and all our Christmas's were full of love and family enjoyment. You will be pleased to know that this pattern continued this Christmas, as we all spent two very happy days with Nigel and Giselle as we had done last year when we were very fortunate to still have you with us. We raised a glass in your memory, dear Pat, as will now be a family tradition forever. Always in my thoughts, John