Looking back at 2018.

Bernard and Fury peer at the engine bay which is filled with a planted up basket of nasturtiums

Well, what a year we’ve had in 2018! Here are a few reminders of what we’ve been doing. Of course in January, we had our panto, and we celebrated Burns’ Night!

  • The pantomime cow has kicked the bucket over
  • Ratvaark in his kilt, addresses a haggis

In February Dim and Matilda had a romantic night out for Valentines, and Microvaark had a bit of a tumble skiing at the Winter Olympics! He took some defrosting, I can tell you!

  • Ernest hands Dim and Matilda menus
  • Microvaark lies embedded in a giant snowball, just his snozzle, ski poles and skis sticking out.

In March, Peggy gave us a display of Irish dancing for St Patrick’s Day, and Ernest helped to make a paper organ pipe at the Guild of Makers launch. Makes a most amusing hoot. The pipe, not Ernest.

  • Peggy dances on the stage while Dim and Ernest play beside her
  • Ernest pulls the bellows on a paper organ pipe

In April, we were surprised when Arnold announced he was going to cross America on his bike! And Fury had fun at a Makerfaire in Newcastle. She says she didn’t press the button…

  • Arnold is on the road, his white scarf fluttering behind him.
  • Fury looks at a big red button labelled Do Not Push

In May we had lots of fun – there was Morris Dancing at our May Fete and we had a street party for the Royal Wedding. Any excuse for a party!

  • The vaarks clash sticks together
  • All the vaarks gather round the party table

In June, we went and looked after a whole farm! We had a go at spinning, and Dim and Matilda frolicked in the shade of a tree making daisy chains.

  • There is a spinning wheel, with all the vaarks sitting on the treadle and Ernest spinning a thread
  • Dim and Matilda recline on a mossy tree trunk in the shade, garlanded in daisy chains

In July, while Arnold celebrated Independence Day in America, Fury was considering a career in rocketry, but thought better of it. I don’t think there are enough snacks in space.

  • Arnold sits down to a meal in the diner as everyone joins in.
  • Fury and the rocket seen from below

In August, Arnold briefly became a film star, but back at home we were busy setting up the stage and equipment for Vaarklife ‘18.

  • Arnold rides past the Hollywood sign
  • Microvaark uses his telehandler to hoist a DJ desk onto the stage

Of course, September started with Vaarklife, and we had so many bands, but the highlight was Arnold’s return! And then after that we went on holiday to another farm, where Fury found a tractor even she couldn’t fix.

  • The crowd have rushed onto the stage to embrace Arnold
  • Bernard and Fury peer at the engine bay which is filled with a planted up basket of nasturtiums

In October we got an amazing gift, all the way from Australia, a real radio! And there was also a skateboarding craze when Winston opened his Skate Shack.

  • Ratvaark and an astonished Arnold look at a small blue Raspberry Pi powered radio
  • Everyone is enjoying skating on the ramp.

We started November with our Bonfire and Firework display, complete with special centrepiece. And we ended it with a new, very tiny, friend, Nano!

  • The vaark shaped frame is alight with bright white sparkles
  • Microvaark looks down at tiny Nano.

December of course is a very busy month, with making and baking of all sorts. And we found 25 little things to decorate our special Advent Tree!

What a wonderful year we had. Here’s to even more adventures in 2019. Happy New Year!

  • Winston stirs a bowl of pudding ingredients
  • All the vaarks look at the camera, gathered in front of their tree, with the candle glowing at the top.

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