Sunday 30 December 2012

New Year 2012

This is the end of my first full year as a blogger and I want to thank everyone who has read, commented or helped me since I began this venture. I started the blog as a way of recording my progress as I try to tick off all those activities on my bucket list which I had compiled prior to retiring. Places I wanted to visit or activities I wanted to experience which time and workload had prevented me attempting. I had enjoyed my working life as a teacher but I knew I wanted to make the most of my retirement and not just sit around whilst fit and able to do so many other things. It was also important to me not to rely on others for my experiences. Whilst it is fun to share activities with friends I did not want to put things off if there was no-one available to accompany me, so I have undertaken many things on my own. This has helped me to make new friends and has enriched many of the experiences.

One obvious mistake I made (pointed out to me by Crazy Cris @  http://crazycrishereandthere.blogspot.co.uk ) was not linking the bucket list achievements to the relevant post. Now I know how to do this I have been trying to update the bucket list with links. I also add to the list when I hear of interesting places to visit or new experiences I've come across (such as the pedibus).

As far as experiences go, 2012 has been an exceptional year for me and I doubt will be bettered. Eventhough I knew I would play some volunteering role in the Olympics I had no idea that it would be in the exclusive Athletes Village or that I would be part of that spectacular paralympics opening ceremony. My travels have taken me to the USA (Florida), Europe (Madrid), Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore) and of course Australasia(Australia and New Zealand). The travel highlights have to be the Great Barrier Reef and the Everglades. I have explored in depth many areas and museums in London which I didn't realise existed. Of the 95 experiences on the bucket list, this year I achieved 20 bringing my total to 34. I mourne the loss of my brother this year but I know his spirit still urges me on to discover more of the world so with that in mind bring on 2013.









Happy New Year to all fellow bloggers.

11 comments:

  1. Happy New Year! I like your idea of not waiting and taking life on independent of others. You have fulfilled some amazing dreams and had wonderful experiences. It has been a pretty exciting year that will be difficult to top but no doubt you will since you are pursuing 61 more goals! :)

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  2. Glad that you enjoyed the trip to Oz! I made it to the barrier reef for the first time this year as well - and it did live up to its reputation!

    Hope you have not been handling too much dirty money!

    Cheers and have a good New Year - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  3. Happy New Year! Here's to more bucket list adventures in 2013! :)

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  4. Great capture! Happy New Year!

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  5. You made the most of 2012 for sure. Have a very happy New Year with new adventures. Marianne

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  6. Wish you a Splendid fulfilling 2013!!

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  7. Happy New Year to you and may you accomplised lots of things in 2013.

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  8. Happy New Year, and it does sound 2013 will have to go a ways to surpass 2012 in your life. I have so enjoyed getting to know you here in Blogland. I look forward to more in the days, weeks and months ahead! :-)

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  9. It is sad that you lost a brother. I am getting to the age where it now prospect, a very unfortunate one for me, as I am the eldest. I have always thought of bucket lists as something you never get around to doing, but you have been ticking items off! Very impressive. Duh, as the birds tweet at 5.19 am New Years Day, I think I remember when you were in Melbourne. Might have a little back reading to do. Happy New Year to you.

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  10. I started blogging in 2006 and it became my hobby. I made new friendships met blogfriends from over the world, and became real friends with others. I learned a lot about other traditions and lifestyles. It became my window to the world. I also learned to love photography because I want to show what I have discovered or visited. My blog became the window of the world to me !

    Happy New Year !

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  11. ¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

    I'd say you've had a wonderful 2012! It will be difficult to top some of those amazing experiences (I'm thinking Olympics in particular), but I'm sure 2013 will bring its own special wonders!

    Bravo on learning how to link in the posts! It will definitely help people chase down the different elements of your Bucket List! ;o)

    And Bravo again on braving the unknown often on your own! Too many people stay at home complaining about something they didn't get to do because they couldn't find someone to do it with them. Things are often more fun when done with others, but then you have less of a chance of meeting new people!

    Keep on with the List, I look forward to reading about your adventures as the year develops. Hugs!!!

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