Happy New Year

I've been feeling very reflective over these last few weeks, as so many conversations between John and I begin with "this time last year..." On this day last year, 2nd January, we were packing up our home in Leeds into a huge red lorry and locking the door for a final time on an empty house. We stayed with my parents for a couple of months while we looked for and bought a new place, a house that was a lot cheaper than it should've been and we were able to snap up because we'd already sold our Leeds property. Bella and Angus started their new school and I am thankful every day that they are happy there, that the transition was a positive one for them. John found a new job that was better than we could ever have hoped and, in June, I returned to work. So much good luck, yes, but also so much sheer bloody hard work. Last year was all about change, whereas this year - I hope, we never know what life will throw at us - will be about settling. Settling in to our home, to our area, to our lives. 

Yesterday we celebrated the first day of the new year with an incredibly windy walk on West Witterings beach, so windy that the dry sand from the dunes was being blown across the wet sand on the beach and it was hard to talk. I can't think of a better way to start the new year, to be honest. It was breathtakingly beautiful in a very stark, grey way, and also quite busy with families and dog walkers, but luckily it's a big beach and there was enough sand and sky for everyone. Once we were sufficiently battered by the wind we went for posh burgers and milkshakes for lunch then to the cinema to see the new Star Wars film, then home to drink tea in front of the fire. A lovely day all in all.

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I've been looking back through my photos and chosen one from each season from 2015. They were chosen for the way they capture a moment in time but also because I remember how very happy I was at each of those times.

Spring - walking in bluebell-carpeted woods.

Summer - that glorious heatwave we had and the opportunity to go down to the beach and swim in the sea after work.

Autumn - walking in the woods again in the golden light.

Winter - our first Christmas in our new home.

Happy new year to you, lovely readers. Thank you for stopping by and reading, for your comments, support and friendship. I hope 2016 is a happy year for you and one that is filled with peace.