The end of 2019

Before we enter the next decade I like to take a few minutes to reflect on the past year. Although the Christmas season started well, illness within the family spoilt some of the planned festivities. A mixture of flu (daughter and sil), sickness virus (son and granddaughter) caused havoc with plans. Christmas day was illness free and  I had a relaxed but festive day with my son and dil who stayed with me until they returned to Leeds on Saturday to then become ill. Everything went downhill on Boxing day when my daughter was hosting for the family. Her 5yr old couldn't stop being sick. The 2yr old's temperature had now risen to 39 deg and my daughter began to feel unwell. I went over early to help and somehow we managed to get a meal on the table for those well enough to eat it. The following day was worse as it was obvious my daughter had flu and her husband was also unwell. Fortunately my granddaughter had stopped being sick and just needed to rest. After sorting them out I took the youngest grandchild home with me as he needed more looking after and his mum and dad weren't up to it. With some relief I returned the 2yr old to his dad and his other grandparents yesterday whilst I had a day off to go and visit my brother and his family in Hampshire. It was so nice to be in an illness free zone. As a consequence of my Florence Nightingale impersonation I have not had time to catch up on any blogging or photographing a suitable New Year's Eve photo. I took these of Eros at Piccadilly Circus just before Christmas. Usually, at this time of the year, the statue is surrounded by security hoardings to prevent damage by New Year revellers.
2019 has been a mixed year but mainly good. The inevitability of aging means more loss this year -  a dear friend who I first met 47 years ago and an elderly aunt with whom I shared many happy family moments.
Travel is a big part of my life in retirement and this year I travelled more in the UK than abroad enjoying a number of previously unknown UK highlights which were on my bucket list. I was able to wander around the Isle of Man,  explore the  Eden Project, jump on the Giant's Causeway, visit the Isles of Scilly and find my way around The Hermitage, St Petersburg. I enjoyed another long distance walk with my wonderful walking companions around a section of the South West Coast path. Another notable event was spending a couple of fabulous days with Andrew and R from Melbourne. My 'Above the Underground' challenge continues. I did better this year and managed to visit and post about 20 stations. Of the 270 different stations on the underground I have now photographed and written about 113 of them. Still a long way off completion but as long as my legs keep moving I aim to complete this challenge
As another year ends so a new one begins and I am hoping it brings with it some hope for the future of our planet and stability for our political situation. Thank you to each and everyone of you who read my blogs and take the time to write your wonderful comments. To all my friends who I have met on my travels and I know follow my retirement adventures via my blogs - may I wish you all a happy and healthy 2020.