Another busy year

Scrolling through the hundreds of photos on my phone, it is clear to me how much I have done this year, and how many places (with castles(!)) we have visited! I know I take too many photos and then don't look back, so it has been good to scroll through and impossible to choose just a few to sum up my year.

Of course but has also had its sad elements. Whilst we started the year with a trip for new year and my birthday, in our caravan to Canterbury, we also lost our dear friend Andy in January too.

In February I took on one of my biggest challenges when I joined 5 other ladies on a retreat. It was transformational for my way of thinking and approaching each day. I still remind myself of it most days and try to use learnings from that week to get myself back on track. I stopped blipping every day following the retreat. It has been great not having that self imposed pressure.

Jon and I visited the lovely caravan site in Sandringham twice this year in March and December.

In April we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary with a few days in Ironbridge. Somewhere we last visited in 1997. We even stayed in a hotel!!! I know - no camp bed or canvas in sight! Unheard of for us.

In May I spent an amazing week with my best friends Joanne and Karen in Lisbon. The first time I had flown in 30 years, and I survived. I also had a lovely spa day with Mollie in Norwich. It was very self indulgent - but we deserved it.

June was the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. We went a few days earlier and rented a flat so that we could have a day or two exploring the city and coast. We absolutely love Edinburgh. The bushcraft bit of the week is also a favourite time of our year and the canoes. I also met a blipper this year who found me at our stand. We were lucky with the weather and had a brill week.

At the end of July we took the caravan to Cornwall and Somerset for 2 weeks. Mixed weather we joined English Hertage and proceeded to visit every Castle and stone circle we could find. Stonehenge our firm favourite. So much so BB that we went back in November to see it at sunset.

In September we joined Andy’s sister Cathy and her husband Keith for a week in the Lake District. We had so many happy memories from the previous year, when we had gone there with Andy, that we wanted to reminisce and make new memories that would be in Andy’s name. A tiny canoe was launched in Wast Water, we swam and a plant was planted in a secret location in Andy’s memory. It was an emotional week.

In October I wasn't well. Work stress had eventually got too much for me to cope with and I wasn't getting the support from my managers that I was asking for. It meant a month off to recuperate. I spent 6 days in Bamburgh on my own. It was peaceful. It started to help me clear my head.

In November, I started to make new jewellery. I think it was therapy having a new focus. Some I sold, and some went as gifts. I am still considering how best to market the things I make, but have spoken to one shop in Cromer and will, in 2025, finesse the various things I make. With a view to selling, maybe when I stop work.

I always have ideas going round in my head. In addition to this, I have continued to try my best for 32 hours a week, to continue the job I am paid for. I am learning to care less, in a wind down to a kind of retirement. Who knows? What 2025 will bring. Of course, I have also tried to do some writing every day, which had been my challenge. The book I mapped out in September 2023, to write in 2024, has now been written. The first draft only. Editing and rewriting will be a job for later in the year. For now, I'm giving myself the evenings off!! It feels quite liberating! Yet I love writing, just as I love talking!

I've continued to sing on a Thursday with the loveliest group of retired people. I love them and will continue with that. I've made good friends with one couple whose cute little dog I helped walk during the summer months. I haven't been giving them as much help just recently, but will return to that in the new year.

Reflecting on the many interesting places we have visited together this year, Jon and I have agreed we are still happy to holiday in the beautiful United Kingdom. It still has so much we have not explored. So until we have exhausted it’s charms, we will probably stick here for our holidays! We have our caravan, so affordable relaxed breaks are at our fingertips. Why go further!

My new year resolutions are to lose weight, get fit and eat more healthily. A stone should do it. ROFL (roll on floor laughing) When isn't that my resolution!!? I won't be writing a book!!

From Jon and I, a Happy New Year to all friends, family and fellow blippers. Let's hope 2025 brings things we can be grateful for x