The end of my year is not as planned… today we should be enroute to Cornwall to see my Grandparents and to enjoy the outdoors and the Christmas lights in Mousehole, and some lovely Cornish pasties and ales. Instead I am under a blanket enjoying day nurse every 4 hours and lots of warm ribena! Mr P is being very patient!
Looking for the positive as ever I do, I am just glad that I’m poorly now and that hopefully come 3rd February I won’t have a sniff of a cold or cough and will be excited about flying off to UAE for his birthday!
Regardless of the end of this year, 2013 has been a good one – so I’m using my unexpected idle time under a blanket to look through all of this years photos and find the best memories, by month!
#frifotos #2013Best
January
As an accountant, I don’t tend to get to do much in January apart from work, so January is pretty quiet. Last year 1st January was the first fine day of the Christmas break, and actually was my first flu-less day too (I’m seeing a theme here).
View from Studland down to Old Harry Rocks
When we want a walk we normally head for the New Forest, but on 1st Jan, since we’d been asleep early the night before, we got up before all of the revellers and headed further West to Studland. A beautifully crisp and clear morning and a lovely walk up from the National Trust car park near the Bankes Arms.
February
I spent a couple of weeks in Delaware with work in Feb, and got to visit DC for a day with my uncle and a friend, which was a treat.
But the highlight for us both was 24 hours at the Chewton Glen. This is the great dame of UK hotels and is an old favourite of ours – my husband used to work closely with them and we’ve stayed fans.
Ultimate welcome from the CG team
We had a gorgeous upstairs suite looking over the garden, afternoon tea (excitingly ordered using the in-room iPad system), the tasting menu for supper and breakfast to end all breakfasts!! We also enjoyed the pool and the hydrotherapy which weren’t too busy as we were there mid-week. The hotel also has plenty of Hunter wellies – so we enjoyed a walk down Chewton Bunny to the beach in the sunshine! It really was a fabulous get away from the day to day!!
March
The month whizzed by in a lot of weekend bike rides and plenty of different birthday gatherings! Highlight of the month was I think getting an Icebreaker jacket for my birthday and realising just how good expensive outdoor kit is!! Alongside a great afternoon tea for Mothers Day at the Montagu Arms in Beaulieu, my new kit made chilly cycling ever more enjoyable – which was lucky, since we did a lot and it certainly wasn’t warm!!
Chilly day on the Hayling Billy Line
April
Wedding anniversary month and the start of when things finally get warm (if a little showery) in the UK. To avoid waiting for heat, we actually headed to Jamaica for 10 days as we had a gap in our schedules when we could both get a good stint off work together (although Mr P did work in the car to Gatwick and in the lounge whilst quaffing fizz)! Jamaica is a different – and dare I say it, better – side to the Caribbean that I’ve seen before. It is less written and praised than more of the mainstream places that attract the tourists, but my husband had been with work and was incredibly taken with it! There were flights available and so a plan was formed around them. An amazing week away – we saw all sides to the island and really mixed it up!
Awake with jet lag at 5am in the mountains above Kingston – Strawberry Hill
Even the flight home was interesting – aside from the fact that BA had not fizz left (seriously – ridiculous) I spent most of the flight pondering why my neighbour in club was suited all the way home, only to be told whilst waiting for our luggage by someone from JTB that my diagonal seat buddy was a member of the Royal Family!! Way too many photos to find a favourite, but the album is here. Along with some of the highlights that I wrote about for ALTB.
May
May is my busiest month at work – but it about the team working and so it always goes swiftly and relatively enjoyably despite the number of hours spent in the office! I actually started blogging, as many hours were spent on the train commuting but I couldn’t bear to work every hour of that! That is when I got started on the ALTB articles I’ve mentioned above!!
Beacon Hill biking
However, as much work as there is to do, fresh air is always necessary to keep me going and we had an early start one Sunday and headed over to the South Downs (I call them the chalky ups – because they are slippery and uphill) and had a fabulous day out on our bikes! Stunning scenery even if I still need to learn the knack of braking on chalk!
June
A few days off were called for this month and we headed to Cornwall – I love getting the chance to head down here, to see my grandparents but also to enjoy getting off the beaten track! We take advice from my grandparents of where to go and diligently visit as many places as we can – swinging through to see them on the way home for the obligatory photo show and pasties! Again too many pictures to pick a best, but the album is here and the tips from this trip are here.
Rinsey
July
July was a month that disappeared into Wimbledon watching and lots of time enjoying the sunshine in the garden with a glass of pimms or vino!! We always avoid travel plans in the summer holidays and like to enjoy our little sun-trap as much as possible! The highlight this month came from Audi – as valued customers (??) we got invited to a day out with them over in Cowdray – and because we registered so early that meant one of us got to drive the R8! And that was me! The Audi chap that accompanied me on my little drive around country lanes said that I was one of the more careful drivers, but of course – can you imagine scratching such a pretty car.
Good fun
August
August flew by in bike rides and weddings! All time favourite spot to cycle to is Tanners Lane, near to Lymington! Always a treat and never busy
View over to the IOW
This time we stopped for lunch at the East End Arms which was great, we’ve never timed it right for food there before and were happily impressed!
September
It seems to be another one of those months that disappeared, no doubt scurrying around with work! But the start of the month was fabulous – getting up close to the Clipper Round the World Race start from St Katherine’s docks in London.
Epic place for a parade
The setting was epic and was even more enjoyable on board a stink pot on the river with copious amounts of champagne and canapés! A great day out and the end of an era in some regards too. Amazing to have got the chance to get so close to this.
October
In October Mr P was moving jobs, so we squeezed in another trip to the west country – yet again taking tips from Grandpa. We had a stunning time, a complete mix of weather, but generally just a relaxing place to be and enjoy! This time we headed for Cape Cornwall and found some fantastic deserted beaches – at times it was even warm enough for a vest top to catch some rays! Pictures here.
Near to Porthcurno, that is all I’m saying!
If you have walking boots and fancy a scramble, then look at the OS map and find beaches only reached by footpath – at this time of year they are deserted and really are unbeatable!
In October we also had a weekend away in London at stayed at ME. A great new addition to the London hotel scene and nice to be in the city for pleasure rather than just for work.
November
The days get short in November so weekends are ever more important for getting fresh air and daylight! October/November/December were busy for me in terms of the number of times I passed through Heathrow, so the weekends really were important! I think the highlight was definitely heading up to see our friends in Anglesey – a beautiful spot! A real mixture of weather, but as a result rather than heading into Snowdonia we saw the little Island instead – some lovely spots and some great pubs too (vital spots to hide from rain in).
Happy days at Trearddur on a windy afternoon
December
Somehow the year has been right round and we’ve gotten to December already! Work has been manic, but it has been fun getting in the Christmas spirit!
Not having been able to go to cornwall or indeed get far from the sofa, fresh air nearby has been bliss when the sun has shone…
Southampton Common on a crisp morning
Sounds like you got to go to lots of great places!! Looks like it was a good year!
Author
It is so easy to forget how much we fitted in until you look back at it – work hard play hard!!
Sounds like you got to go to lots of great places!! Looks like it was a good year!
Author
It is so easy to forget how much we fitted in until you look back at it – work hard play hard!!
Love how you wrapped up your year by the months. I have not seen many people do it this way. Great pictures! Happy New Year!
Author
Thank you!! I’d forgotten all the little bits we did between big trips!! Happy NY to you as well Angela
Love how you wrapped up your year by the months. I have not seen many people do it this way. Great pictures! Happy New Year!
Author
Thank you!! I’d forgotten all the little bits we did between big trips!! Happy NY to you as well Angela
Wow, that sure was a fab 2013 filled with so many adventures 😉
That bottle of Taittinger made me drool lol!
You went to Jamaica? Oh my, have to see pics. Never been but so want to.
Driving an Audi must have been a blast too
You sure live life to the max 😉
Happy New Year and may 2014 be an amazing year!
K 🙂
Author
Jamaica was amazing – unspoilt by tourism and so friendly!! Didn’t know we’d done so much!! Roll on 2014, best of travels!!
Wow, that sure was a fab 2013 filled with so many adventures 😉
That bottle of Taittinger made me drool lol!
You went to Jamaica? Oh my, have to see pics. Never been but so want to.
Driving an Audi must have been a blast too
You sure live life to the max 😉
Happy New Year and may 2014 be an amazing year!
K 🙂
Author
Jamaica was amazing – unspoilt by tourism and so friendly!! Didn’t know we’d done so much!! Roll on 2014, best of travels!!
Hi Anna
Sounds like you have had a great year! Here’s to 2014. I’d like to invite you to join our community and share your travel tips and tales reliving your travels.
http://www.thedepartureboard.com/can-you-become-thedepartureboards-most-travelled-you-might-win-prizes
Kind regards
Si
Author
Hi Si – I’d be keen, but do I need to share my email password – I use my email for private use so wouldn’t be keen to give that access even though I’m sure it isn’t needed for that reason! I’m sure that makes sense!!
Hi Anna
Sounds like you have had a great year! Here’s to 2014. I’d like to invite you to join our community and share your travel tips and tales reliving your travels.
http://www.thedepartureboard.com/can-you-become-thedepartureboards-most-travelled-you-might-win-prizes
Kind regards
Si
Author
Hi Si – I’d be keen, but do I need to share my email password – I use my email for private use so wouldn’t be keen to give that access even though I’m sure it isn’t needed for that reason! I’m sure that makes sense!!
Looks like a fun year indeed, love that Cape Cornwall photo, looks so pretty!
Author
THANKYOU! Oh, it’s stunning, positively Caribbean on the right day!!!
What beautiful pictures of the countryside! They all look so peaceful and warm. I hope 2014 brings you many more fun filled adventures!
Author
Thank you!! Torrential rain today though!! Happy NY
What beautiful pictures of the countryside! They all look so peaceful and warm. I hope 2014 brings you many more fun filled adventures!
Author
Thank you!! Torrential rain today though!! Happy NY
Great photos of the countryside. You really did fit plenty into one year. We also love cycling. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Author
Always worth making the most of weekends and half days – the Cornwall trips were only ever 4 or 5 days! Mr P has been busy servicing the bikes ready for a new year of pedalling, need to get fit to deal with the hills! Croatia must be a stunning place for riding – road biking on some of those roads must be epic! Happy NY!
Great photos of the countryside. You really did fit plenty into one year. We also love cycling. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Author
Always worth making the most of weekends and half days – the Cornwall trips were only ever 4 or 5 days! Mr P has been busy servicing the bikes ready for a new year of pedalling, need to get fit to deal with the hills! Croatia must be a stunning place for riding – road biking on some of those roads must be epic! Happy NY!
Looks like you had quite the eventful year! Happy New Year to you and I hope 2014 is everything you want it to be plus more!
Author
thankyou – you too, a new year and so many new opportunities hopefully!
You could certainly be in much worse places awake with jet lag, what a great spot that looked to chill. Shame 5am was too early for a cocktail 🙂
Author
Definitely the best place to wake up early, stunning!!!
You could certainly be in much worse places awake with jet lag, what a great spot that looked to chill. Shame 5am was too early for a cocktail 🙂
Author
Definitely the best place to wake up early, stunning!!!
Asking questions are truly good thing if you are not
understanding something totally, except this piece of writing provides pleasant understanding
even.
Asking questions are truly good thing if you are not
understanding something totally, except this piece of writing provides pleasant understanding
even.
Wow, it looks like you fit quite a bit into this past year. Excited to see what you do in 2014!
Author
Exciting to see what we can fit in 😉
Wow, it looks like you fit quite a bit into this past year. Excited to see what you do in 2014!
Author
Exciting to see what we can fit in 😉