Another year ends and as I am writing this I can hear lots of fireworks exploding in the skies outside. The official London firework display has been cancelled once again so it is private parties or small family gatherings that I can hear celebrating with fireworks.
The end of the year is when I look back at what I have done this year and look forward to the plans for the coming year. However, as with everyone else around the world our lives have changed and we may never go back to the carefree travel we once enjoyed. I have just spent a couple of hours on facetime chatting to my friend in Canada. For the last 12 years we have met up with one another in various countries around the world but our last meeting was in 2018. We are not sure when, if ever, we will be able to meet up again. I had hoped that once we were double vaccinated things would change but as we all know that's not the case.
So what have I done this year. Well the couple of trips I managed were in the UK - Devon and Suffolk as well as three trips up to Leeds. I celebrated my 70th birthday with my children and grandchildren at a lodge in Centreparks which was a lot of fun. As part of the celebrations there were some terrific meals out including Tea at the Ritz, a day at the Chelsea Flower Show, Van Gogh's immersive exhibition and more. Surprisingly despite being in lockdown for a couple of months at the beginning of the year I still managed to visit and write about 22 different Underground stations. But the highlight of the year was the birth of my son and dil's first child in October.
A huge thank you to everyone who reads and comments on my posts. During the last couple of years the blog has kept me sane and given me a glimpse into other people's worlds. I wish you all a Happy New Year and sincerely hope we all keep safe and healthy.
