Sunday 31 December 2017

Year's End





Another year comes to a close and it is a time of reflection for many, myself included. 2017 didn't get off to a great start for me, but looking back now I know I have so much to be thankful for and, for what it's worth,  it's been a pretty good year.
Our Christmas was lovely. Fairly quiet compared to some, but spent in good company and with good food. On Christmas Eve we went for a rather soggy walk through the woods. A little bit of calm, it was so quiet with no one else around (unsurprising given the weather), but good to get out knowing there wouldn't be an opportunity to do so the following day. Cookies were made, stockings hung and a very excited little girl eventually fell asleep.




Christmas day itself was spent at home with the whole family here, and as often happens it went by in a flurry of present unwrapping, playing with toys, cooking and eating. The subsequent days were a mix of walking, relaxing and enjoying being at home. That wonderful period of time between Christmas day and New Year when days merge into one and there is no real sense of purpose. The weather has been cold but beautiful, and ideal for some gentle rambles, the low light being typical of the time of year. It was the perfect opportunity to put my new Christmas presents of a  bobble hat and woolly socks to some good use, and very cosy they are too.




Today we enjoyed a lovely lunch out at a nearby country pub and tonight we will raise a glass and see in the New Year quietly at home.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to read my blog this year. I really appreciate it and have loved reading your comments. 
However you are spending it, I wish everyone a very Happy New Year.
J. X

62 comments:

  1. Your Christmas sounds lovely and you've certainly spent it in beautiful surroundings going by your wonderful photos. Wishing you and your lovely family all the very best for 2018.

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    1. We've had a lovely time, thank you Jo and made the most of it by getting out when the weather was good. X

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  2. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year Jules, I hope it's a good one. Love the photos by the way :)

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  3. Here's to a joyous New Year to all! xx

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  4. Happy New Year Jules. Lovely photos, glad you had a nice Christmas. We had a nice quiet day at home before traveling to see family. It's good to be home again. Cx

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    1. It's always good to get back home again isn't it? X

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  5. Stunning pictures. I need to visit the Lake District again this year. Glad you had good weather and have enjoyed the Christmas break.
    Happy New Year.
    Jacquie x

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    1. Thank you Jacquie. My phone camera isn't great but I do my best. It's a beautiful area so there's always something to capture. X

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  6. Blessings from our quiet family celebration to yours xx Here is to a good 2018, may she kind and peaceful to all xx

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    1. Thank you Kate. Here's hoping for a good one. X

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  7. Stunning pictures you have shared of your festive time.
    Blessings to you and your family in 2018

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    1. Thank you Julie. We try and use the break as an opportunity to get out for some good walks. X

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  8. That was a lovely post! I have enjoyed reading all your posts over the year; thank you for sharing all your lovely photos and enabling me to see a different part of the world through them. I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year, Jules. May 2018 be one of the best.

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    1. Thank you Bless. One of the things I love about blogging is how you can connect with people from all over the world. I hope 2018 brings you health and happiness. X

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  9. Hope you have a wonderful year in 2018

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    1. Thank you Sue. Sending all my very good wishes to you and Col. X

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  10. Your Christmas sounds perfect Jules. I've never seen the hedgehog balancing game but it's just the sort of thing we like playing. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year. Hope 2018 is good to you all. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. The game is called 'Prickly Pile Up'. Apparently they are porcupines, but I think they are more like hedgehogs myself. The idea is to place the bottom three nose to tail and take it in turns to add the pile without them falling over. Very simple but lots of fun (especially after a glass or two!) X

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  11. Your Christmas sounds just wonderful and I hope the New Year will be everything you wish it to be and more.
    Hugs-x-

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  12. Happy New Year to you and your family Jules!
    Your Christmas sounds wonderful. With good company and good food everything is always better.
    XX

    Nil

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    1. Thank you Nil. It's the simple things that make for a good Christmas isn't it? X

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  13. Your Christmas sounds wonderful. I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year Jules. I always look forward to reading your delightful blog, may 2018 be a very good year.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. That's very kind of you to say. X

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  14. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful New Year.
    Your Christmas sounded just perfect, I always enjoy reading your blog, you write beautifully, and your photos are lovely to see.xx

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    1. Thank you Marlene. It makes me very happy to know you enjoy it so much. X

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  15. Sounds like a lovely Christmas and wow to that beautiful scenery. Happy New Year.

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    1. There have been some lovely days for walking and the views were beautiful. We were so fortunate to get out and enjoy the scenery. X

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  16. Happy New Year.

    The stacky hedgehog game looks fun!

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    1. It's such a simple game, but lots of fun. I might even let Lily have a turn! ;-) X

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  17. Happy New Year - wonderful scenery in your photos with the snow on the hills. Look forward to reading your blog in 2018.

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    1. Thank you. The views have been so beautiful with the fell tops dusted with snow. X

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  18. The photos are amazing. Looking forward to many more in the year ahead. Happy New Year :)

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm hoping I might get a phone with a better camera this year. X

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  19. It sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. I hope 2018 will be kind to you and your family.

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    1. We did, thank you Arleen. I hope 2018 is good to you too. X

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  20. I enjoy your wonderful photos of the countryside. May 2018 be a year of peace and joy for you and your family!

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    1. Thank you Devon. I'm glad you enjoy them. X

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  21. Beautiful photos as always. You are blessed with such outstanding scenes nearby. All the best for 2018.

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    1. Thank you Tania. The scenery is stunning if the weather is clear and it isn't hidden by cloud! :-) X

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  22. Oh my goodness Jules ... what wonderful scenes were before my eyes as I read through your blog post this evening ...
    Such beautiful scenery.

    Your Christmas sounds a wonderful time.

    Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed them Jan. Wishing you and your family the very best for the New Year. X

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  23. Such beautiful photos, sounds like a wonderful Christmas. Best wishes for 2018.

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    1. Thank you. I hope you and your family are well and enjoyed a lovely Christmas. X

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  25. Happy New Year and so glad you had a lovely Christmas with all your family. It’s been rainng solidly here for 3 days now and the skies are still leaden. Catriona

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    1. Thank you Catriona. The weather has turned a bit grim here now - one of the reasons we try and make the most of it when it's good. Fingers crossed for a lovely weekend. X

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  26. Sounds like the perfect combination of family time and relaxation. It looks from your photographs like you live in a lovely area. I'm off to peruse your blog to see if I can find out where!

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    1. It's been really lovely, thank you Eloise. I hope you enjoy the blog. X

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  27. Thank you for your visit, your Christmas sounds perfect it's always special when there is a little one at home. I love your photo's such beautiful scenery. I hope 2018 is a great one for you and your family. :) x

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    1. Thank you Linda. Little people definitely add to the general feeling of excitement. Here's hoping the New Year brings you all good things. X

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  28. Wonderful Christmas images... and those landscapes! We have lakes, but we don't have mountains, not even hills really... so I envy you terribly. :)
    Happy New Year to you and yours! xx

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    1. Thank you Sara. I feel very fortunate to be able to experience such gorgeous scenery. My photographs do not do it justice. X

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    1. Thank you Sadie. I hope all is well with you, Bill, Violet and HNM. X

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  30. This is a really lovely post and I enjoyed the feeling of calm reflection it gave. You live in such a beautiful part of the world. Glad Christmas was good with you. So pleased about the social run too- hope you enjoyed it and found it beneficial xx

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    1. Thank you CT. It was good to kick start the year with a run and fingers crossed I will be going out with the group again next week. X

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  31. What wonderful photos, especially with those snow capped hills (mountains? I'm not sure) in the distance. I know what you mean about those in between days and I love them too. I'm a little sad they're over to be honest. Happy new year to you. x

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    1. Thank you Gillian. Yes, like you I'm a bit sad those in-between days are over. I do like to get back into a routine again but those lazy mornings and extra family time are such a treat. X

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