Friday 31 December 2021

Last Walk of the Year

 

Just like last year, New Year's Eve has been spent mainly at home. The tree is still up, but this evening I took down some more of the cards and I expect I will spend a while reading through them all again tomorrow.

This afternoon we went for a walk along the river. We did the exact same walk last year, although the weather had been much colder then. The heavy rain we've experienced recently meant the water was much higher than usual, so we took care to keep away from the edge. That didn't stop Lily from slipping on the mud, however, so a change of clothes was required when we got home :)

Beneath the trees, there were signs of new life if we looked close enough. I always find this reassuring. An early sign of the approaching brighter days. 


The pathway was quiet, shared only with a few others, also taking advantage of the dry weather.

One of the benefits of walking directly from home instead of needing to drive, was that I could enjoy a short break for some liquid refreshment. You probably can't tell from the photograph but the glass is only a miniature - I promise!

This evening, we've had pizza for dinner, followed by some homemade cookies, still warm from the oven. I've made sure to amend my booking for next year's Christmas markets (all being well), I've lit the last of the festive scented candles, and the tree lights are switched on. Unusually for me, I've even watched a film - New Year's Eve! - of course. I'm not sure yet, whether I will stay awake to see in the New Year, but I've highlighted the BBC's Hogmanay celebrations just in case. 

For me 2021 will always be remembered with sadness, but I must not forget the happy memories I've created throughout the year.

All that's left for me to do now is to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. And then, perhaps, I'll pour myself another Baileys.

J. X


54 comments:

  1. Sending lots of Happy New Year Wishes to you.

    All the best Jan

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  2. Yay to an additional glass of Bailey's. Mine is almost gone but I have enjoyed it. Happy new Year, Jules!

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    1. My bottle is almost empty now, Chris. Which is fine, as it wouldn't feel right drinking it at any other time of year. X

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    1. Thank you, Pat. Let's hope this one will be better than the last. X

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  4. Happy New Year, may 2022 be kind, gentle, healthy and happy xx

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    1. Thank you, Kate. My warmest wishes to you and your family. X

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  5. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy 2022, there will definitely be brighter days ahead x

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  6. A very happy new year wish to you and yours and thank you for sharing all those wonderful photos through the year. Cheers (mine's coffee!)
    xx

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  7. Happy New Year, Jules. Wish you and yours the best. :)

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  8. It does look very muddy. I'm surprised how mild New Year's Eve was this year, there were reports of people having barbecues. Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2022. Happy New Year.

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    1. There was some real deep, squelchy mud in some parts. X

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  9. I will be taking my decorations down today, it doesn't seem like five minutes since I put them up yet looking back so much happened in that short space of time. Lovely walk and I think my liquid refreshment would not have been miniature haha. Your New Years eve sounds a lot like mine. Happy New Year Jules. xx

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    1. It goes by so quickly. My decorations have been up for over three weeks now, but they will all be coming down tomorrow. X

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  10. I do hope that 2022 is a year when the sadness of 2021 is banished to a distant memory. Sad memories never disappear for ever but when they cease to be the first thing one recalls about a year/incident/holiday etc that is a great leap forward.

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    1. I used to receive my first 'Happy New Year!' message of the day from my dad - he was always an early morning person, like me. X

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  11. Love those green shoots Jules, a lovely reminder that Spring will be with us again as the wheel of the year turns around. I hope that 2022 is filled with happy memories, however small.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I'm sure there will still be plenty of happy memories, whatever the year may bring. Xx

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  12. Happy New Year, I hope it's a good one for you and your family.
    Take care x

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  13. The river was certainly running high, I'm glad Lily fell into the mud and not in the water. Happy New Year to you and your family, and I hope you enjoy some more Baileys :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. As a matter of fact, I'm enjoying some right now. X

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    1. Thank you, Christina. My warmest wishes to you and your family. X

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  15. Happy New Year Jules, I hope that it brings you health and happiness m'dear.

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    1. Thank you, John. Any chance you can throw in some wealth with that? ;)

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  16. Happy New Year to you, Lily and Mog. After your sad loss I think you've done absolutely brilliantly in making Xmas so special for the three of you! xxx

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  17. Wishing you a happy and peaceful New Year Jules. xx

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I hope this New Year is more kind to you. X

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  18. Happy New Year to You and Yours Jules. x

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  19. I hope that glass is *King Size*!!! The last walk of the Year, deserves it!!!!!!!!!!!

    Delightful way to spend New Year's Eve. Quietly, with yummy food, and twinkling lights.

    Same here. But we yearly, watch the old and wonderful "Thin Man" movies. It's our tradition.

    Did not see the New Year come in, on tv. My husband realized it was past midnight, while another "Thin Man" movie was on. So he kissed me, Happy New Year. -smile-

    Merry Midwinter Wishes
    Happy New Year
    Hugs
    💗 ✨ 💗 ✨ 💗

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    1. Oh my! I wouldn't have made it home in one piece if it was :)
      That is so sweet. Not quite the same, but I did enjoy some Mog cuddles, and thank you for the link, I'll be sure to check it out. Xx

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  20. It's done it again, can't comment yet. Anyway, just wanted to wish you and
    Lily and mog a "Happy" New Year after all the sadness. I have found it takes
    a very long time, but as you say the memories can not be erased and they are
    so precious aren't they. Loving the photos as you know I do so much.
    Thinking of you. Huggles, Lee xx

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  21. Happy New Year, Jules! I hope this new year treats you much kinder.

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  22. We had a similar New Year here in the UK this year, it sure is muddy and definitely every day we are working our way through the sherry (when did I become so old? I should switch to Baileys!) Wishing you & Lily a happy new year ahead.
    Wren x

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    1. I cant remember the last time I drank sherry :) Thank you Wren. X

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  23. Here's to a better year Jules. I'll raise a glass (maybe a pint) of that delicious looking dark red liquid which I am hoping is alcoholic! xXx

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    1. Just not a pint of this!!! It's vodka :)

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  24. That drink looks delicious. Hopefully 2022 will be a happy and productive year. It seems like the Covid cases here are becoming more like colds. I hope that's what happens.

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  25. Best wishes for a LOVELY and a very HAPPY 2022!
    Titti

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  26. Hope you have lots of dry days this year so you can continue to enjoy your walks. Those new shoots are a very welcome sight too.
    Have a good week x

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    1. Oh I do hope so, Beverley. Spring is on the way. X

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