New Year

Well, it's nearly the start of another year already. And what a year we've had! On reflection, we've had some fabulous times. Sadly we've also had to cope with quite a few sad times.

We had to say goodbye to some of our family pets earlier in the year, and although they were the older ones, their loss was still hard to deal with. First losing our dear Molly who was such a wonderful character and totally faithful Westie …….

……followed closely by my gentle giant Gadget, my Maine Coon who was never on the plan as far as having cats was concerned, but who I wouldn't have been without …….

….and then my dear, dear Gizmo in June - such a character and such a 'lady' to the very end. We will miss them all. I have had far too many trips to the vets this year than I care to think about. Hopefully next year will mean I see less of the vets (nothing personal there, I'd just rather not see as much of them now).

We have had some amazing holidays - finally visiting family 'down south' and then having family travel north with us for DH's milestone birthday in the summer in Scotland (a holiday we won't forget in a hurry!), followed by another Scottish holiday just the two of us in September, and then a girly holiday for me with DD. They haven't all gone to plan - typical scottish weather in summer wearing woolly jumpers and raincoats, and incredible heat and a thunder storm in Cyprus with DD. You can't win 'em all!

I've met up with a couple of cousins I haven't seen for years which has been lovely, and realised that just because somebody is family doesn't mean you have to like them, and that it's ok not to like them. Actions speak far louder than words, and showing somebody you care about them is far more important than just telling them - telling somebody you'll do something means nothing if you don't go ahead and do it (sorry, bit of a winge about in-laws). But, we all have those family members who you find frustrating, irritating or just plain annoying.

My mum has discovered the joys (and frustrations!) of technology - yay! A mobile phone earlier in the year and, as a bit of a wild card, a Kindle for Christmas from me as a step up. I hope she finds it exciting to browse and see all that there is to look at and discover over the internet. It's a whole new world out there once you start browsing, and I'm so glad she's starting to find out.

We've been on some fabulous walks over the year, although not as many as last year due to either the weather or other commitments. Hopefully we will continue to find some out of the way places to escape the crowds again next year. I think my highlights have to be our amazing walk in Scotland in September overlooking the Kylesku Bridge and the random wild camp that followed ….

……and our climb up to Little Harter Fell with the contrast in weather conditions along the way and the amazing views from the top ……

My crafting has slowly taken over as the year has gone on, with me taking the plunge and going to craft fairs and actually facing the general public with my goods. Although it was scary to start with, I found that I started to enjoy it, and have met some lovely people along the way. I have more craft fairs lined up for next year, so fingers crossed for those.

And so we come to the end of another year. Another year where I've managed to keep up the blogging.  I hope I've made it interesting along the way.

Here's to 2016, to blogging and walking and crafting and reading, and doing things that you enjoy in life, with people who matter.

#walking #reading #handmade #crafts
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