Saturday 4 January 2020

Welcoming the New Year











I've enjoyed a lovely festive season and all too soon find myself at the beginning of this new year, curious as to what it may hold. It's been the time of year when time stands still and I've struggled to remember what week it is, let alone what day but I've enjoyed every moment.

Christmas day itself was spent with family and we played games, ate delicious food (the BEST roast potatoes!) and laughed a lot. I've possibly eaten far too much chocolate but isn't that always the way.

In sharp contrast to the excitement and joy of Christmas, Boxing Day was a much more relaxed affair with a leisurely morning spent walking through the woods. The air was cold and damp but after our walk we soon warmed up with a hot chocolate enjoyed on the cafe's outdoor terrace. We were even joined by a cheerful little robin.















In fact, we've enjoyed quite a few walks out these last two weeks, which I've really enjoyed. I always like to get out and blow the cobwebs away, especially when it can be so easy to hunker down at this time of year.  Last Sunday we climbed Raven Crag, above Thirlmere. It's not an area I've ever visited before, although I'm sure I'll be returning very soon, as there is so much more to explore. The steep climb up the through the pine trees behind the crag, opened up at the summit platform to reveal the most beautiful view over towards Clough Head and Helvellyn, with the occasional  views of Skiddaw visible through the trees during our descent along the forest tracks .






The following day was much more overcast but it didn't deter us from walking up High Rigg. This is only a small fell but we took the long route over Wren Crag and along the ridge before reaching the summit, then dropping down to enjoy our lunch beside the beautiful little church at St. John's in the Vale. Disappointingly, the low cloud meant views were limited but it was enjoyable nonetheless and it was lovely to see another robin perched on the bench in the churchyard.




On New Year's Eve I kept my promise and took Lily ice skating. The bright, sunny weather made the perfect day for it, and the ice was full of people joining in the fun. It didn't feel too busy, however, it was just right and, although  Lily didn't feel quite brave enough to skate without holding on to either myself or the side of the rink, she had a wonderful time and I get the impression we will be going again next year.


New Year's morning was spent the same as last year, cooking sausages by the lake, reflecting on the previous twelve months and constantly reminding Lily not to paddle so deep that the water goes over the top of her wellies! Whatever the coming year has in store, some things will never change.
Happy New Year.
J. X

61 comments:

  1. Your Christmas and New Year sound perfect with just the right amount of family gatherings, fun, adventuring and quiet times. It's nice that you've managed to get out and about as much as you have, especially as the weather has been rather mild. Having extended family time here has meant that I've spent more time indoors than usual so it was nice to get out and blow the cobwebs away when the new year arrived. Wishing you a happy new year and all the very best for 2020.

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    1. It does seem like I've managed to fit a lot in, but it has still been a relaxing time. X

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  2. Sausages cooked by the lake.....they must have tasted soooo good. I think Andy and I might try that next time we go to Carsington Water as they have an area where you can use barbecues.

    I'm glad you had a lovely Christmas.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. There were some fried onions too! And, yes, they were delicious. X

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  3. Oh Jules, what a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Your photos are beautiful and how wonderful your walks look. An ice rink?! How wonderful for Lily! Things have been very quiet here. Walks are around the neighbourhood and our usual walking places. Best love, Jane x

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    1. I always enjoy getting out for a walk, whether it's up on the fells or close to home. X

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  4. Happy New Year, Jules! It looks like you've made the most of the last few days! Such lovely walks, photographs, and fun activities! Hope the new year brings lots of happiness and more fun times!

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    1. Thank you, Bless. Even though we've been out most days, it's been a really relaxing time. X

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  5. Looks like a beautiful place and such great photos!

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  6. Love your photos. I always wonder what the year will bring and so much changes in a year too as I found out........

    Julie xxxxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you, Julie. Yes, a lot can change in the space of twelve months. X

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  7. Happy New Year Jules. What a wonderful way to start 2020, cooking sausages by the lake. It sounds like you've had a lovely Christmas and the walks you've been on look amazing. We really do have some beautiful countryside don't we. It's been too long since I've been to the Lake District, I need to rectify that this year.

    Love the photo of Lily ice skating. I've only been once and spent the whole time clinging to the side lol. Hope the coming year is a good one for you all. xx

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    1. This year has already begun much more positively than the last, thank goodness and I enjoyed a lovely Christmas Day with the family.
      New Year sausages by the lake were a winner - so delicious and the scenery so beautiful. I do hope you make it to the Lake District this year. X

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  8. Special memories xx here is to 2020 and all the love and laughter she will bring x

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  9. It looks and sounds like you had a really lovely festive season and your weather was largely far better than here - I love the photo of the trees against the blue sky. It was just constantly damp/raining, dull and dreary here with very little chance of going for a decent walk, and most days I never really got out of my pj's. There's an ice rink here in town every year and I'd love to go but I know full well I'd spend most of my time on the floor and not actually skating :-( I've been able to roller skate with proper skates since I was a kid but have never mastered roller blades so I know I wouldn't be able to ice skate.

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    1. The weather has been a bit hit and miss, we just tried to get out whenever there was opportunity. News Year's Eve was beautiful, however. There might have been one day spent at home in pyjamas :)
      I hadn't been ice skating for around ten years but I still managed to stay upright, although I felt sure Lily was going to pull me over! X

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  10. As always, lovely photos, packed with character.
    xx

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  11. What a beautiful land you live in! And now, I can appreciate it, even more.

    Quite perfect days... For this lovely Time of Year.

    Wishing you Health, Peace, Joy and Prosperity, in 2020.

    Gentle hugs...

    ⛄ 📕 ⛄

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    1. Thank you, WoW. I feel very fortunate to have some beautiful countryside on the doorstep. X

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  12. Hello happy new year. I love the images it brings to us. Hot chocolate in this cold is delicious

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  13. Hello Jules!
    Thank you for sharing these GORGEOUS photos!
    I love seeing the beautiful part of your world.
    Your holidays sound lovely.
    Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. My very best wishes to you and your family. X

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  14. Happy New Year to you both.
    I love the last picture, a very contemplative view, so serene and calming.
    Wishing you a year filled with lots of wonderful and happy times.

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    1. Thank you, Julie. It was lovely and quiet by the lake. X

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  15. Cooking sausages by the lake, that's sounds perfect.

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  16. What gorgeous photos! You always sound like you are having an incredible time together.

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    1. Thank you Stephenie. It's not always perfect but we try our best. X

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  17. Happy New Year to you and yours Jules x

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  18. Wow, Lily is looking so grown up... just look at those long legs!
    Beautiful photos as always Jules. Happy New Year to you

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    1. She's growing so fast, Scarlet. I can barely keep up.
      A Happy New Year to you and your family. X

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  19. I love the fact you go and cook sausages on New Year's day - what better way to start a new year. I am not sure what I would cook outdoors being vegetarian - I think I would have to warm up some soup. x

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    1. It's a very tasty way to kick start the new year, especially as they were vegetarian sausages. X

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  20. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. :)
    Happy New Year to you and your family, Jules!

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    1. Thank you, Nil. A Happy New Year to you, too. x

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  21. What wonderful walks you have close by. You certainly made the most of your Christmas break

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    1. We've managed to fit quite a lot into our festive season. It was everything I could have hoped for. X

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  22. Gorgeous photos, Jules. I am quite envious of you living in such a spectacular part of the country. Thanks for visiting my website and clicking the "follow" button. Hope your new year brings all you wish for.

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    1. Thank you, Chris. I feel very fortunate to live where I do. A Happy New year to you. X

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  23. Such beautiful photos Jules. I sincerely hope that 2020 is a better year for you one that is full of happy memories.

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    1. Thank you. 2020 has already had a much happier beginning. X

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  24. I'm sure those sausages were extra delicious because you were beside the lake!
    Gorgeous photographs on your post, lovely to see.

    Wishing you and yours a happy new year.

    All the best Jan

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    1. You're right, Jan, they are always so much more delicious when eaten in the great outdoors and the fried onions made them extra tasty. X

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  25. You live in a very beautiful part of the world, Jules. Walking in such a place must bring you great peace and joy. MegXx

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    1. Thank you, Meg. Walking brings me joy, definitely.
      Thinking of you. Xx

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  26. Glorious photos. Looks like you had the perfect family Christmas. Have a good week. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. We had a lovely time. X

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  27. It looks as if you have made some lovely memories together. Happy New Year. x

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    1. Happy New Year to you and your family. X

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  28. There is some beautiful countryside right on my doorstep, Laurie. I feel very fortunate.
    The ice skating was great fun. I'm sure we'll be going again next year. Oops! THIS year. X

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  29. That sounds like a perfect Christmas and New Year. Beautiful photos :)

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    1. It was a really lovely time. Thank you, Louise. X

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  30. I was travelling South on the day you wrote that post and, somehow, missed it after I arrived in Bishopbriggs. I was just doing a check of what was outstanding and discovered this post. So, as always with your posts, I've been looking at the photos trying to work out where they were taken from. I rarely manage it if I'm honest. Oddly Thirlmere is a lake around which I have rarely walked. I suppose because it was always rather difficult to get access at one time because it was a reservoir. The dense trees in the area were also rather forbidding I felt. There were few deciduous trees that I can recall. Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed going through your walks whilst drinking a (rare) gin and tonic. I think that I could have phrased that better from a grammatical point of view!

    May I as where the Christmas fair was?

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    1. The area around Thirlmere is not somewhere I have walked previously, although I believe it has become much more accessible in recent years. I'm glad you enjoyed the walk (and the gin and tonic!)
      I was disappointed they didn't have an ice rink in Edinburgh, when we visited the Christmas market, so we travelled to Lancaster instead.

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  31. Happy New Year to you! Your blog is very pretty, I love the nature shots you have. Looks like there are lots of great places for walks. Have a good weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. It's been a great start to the New Year. X

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