Here we are at the start of another year, and looking forward to more adventures over the coming months.

 

Just time for a quick review of 2022

January

We were still feeling the remnants of Covid19, with people, including ourselves, still a little cautious about getting out and about and mixing in large crowds. But we were starting to venture out and get back to normality.

For Christmas, our Granddaughter had bought my hubby a couple of tickets to watch his favourite football team, West Ham, at a home game. Despite leaving the purchase quite late, she managed to secure pretty good seats, quite close to the pitch. So off the two of them went to catch the train and enjoy the game. I’ve no idea what the score was, but they had a good day out, and she got a close up view of her favourite player Declan Rice 🥰.

Having been gifted a National Trust membership, our NT adventures began with a trip to Sissinghurst Castle. On a gorgeous January day, with not a cloud in the sky, we explored the historic building and surrounding grounds.

We celebrated the latest teenager in the house as Li Li turned 13 😳. We can’t believe how he’s grown over the past couple of years, from a cheeky little boy to a “grumpy” very tall teenager.

There was also a couple more NT property visits to Sheffield Park and Bodiam Castle. Three down, a mere 582 more to explore 🤣🤣🤣

February

There’s always repairs or decorating to be done in our busy, boy filled, household and February saw new flooring replacing the stained and damaged kitchen and hallway floor.

We had our first trip to London. With a trip to Belfast and the Titanic Experience scuppered by COVID, the Besties bought us tickets to the Titanic Exhibition in Southwark. A fascinating exhibition took us on a tour of the ship as we listened to the tales of the passengers……. Belfast is still on the wish list.

My 60th birthday in 2021 was spent in lockdown, so I was looking forward to being able to celebrate properly this year. However a nasty abscess on my tooth put paid to that idea 😭

March

A new month and I was feeling better. The twins dressed up at school, for World Book Day. This year as Harry Potter and a character from Star Wars. As she’s now working in a school, Mum also joined in and spent the day as Matilda.

After lots of agonising, we decided to let our beloved Kenneth, move on and help another family make some beautiful memories. He was quite popular and within a week, he was moving on to pastures new.

Wonderfully our theatres were now fully reopened and early in the month we were dancing to the sounds of the History of Soul, followed two days later enjoying the music of Sophie Ellis-Bexter and her kitchen disco.

Our National Trust exploration continued at the magnificent Scotney Castle under more blue, cloudless skies.

I finally got to celebrate missed birthdays with girlfriends and a glorious afternoon tea. So much laughter and so much food, we had to take doggy bags home for the other halves. Perfect afternoon 🥰

Another 60th birthday trip, to Krakow, had been postponed for a year and after the invasion of the neighbouring Ukraine, we decided to postpone once again, but headed to Edinburgh instead. Although initially disappointed (I was getting used to that by now) Edinburgh turned out to be a beautiful compact City and as is the norm with our City breaks, we crammed a lot into our short visit.

Whilst we were away, more work was going on at home, as our porch (filled with smelly shoes and coats) was transformed. It was now a beautiful welcoming space, with storage for shoes, hanging space for coats and even a nifty storage for brollies. Love it 😍

April 

We arrived home from Edinburgh, before the first, brief fall of snow

It fortunately didn’t last too long and we were able to once again attend a local duck race. After two long absent years, the twins were excited to be watching our little plastic ducks battle against other competitors as they floated upstream to the finish line. Unfortunately we didn’t win, but the Besties family romped home, winning several prizes.

The theatre once again played a role in this months activities as we saw Goldfrapp with the Besties, then I watched Menopause the Musical with my girls.

We enjoyed a much needed “date night” to celebrate 42 years of marriage. Lovely food and wine, and the company was pretty good too 💙

We made use of another membership, 2 for 1 gardens and visited the gorgeous Hole Park for a wander through the bluebells. Glorious colours and beautiful smells as we strolled under another blue cloudless sky.

National Trust was high on the agenda again, with visits to explore Emmetts Gardens and Smallhythe in Kent.

The month came to a close in our lovely Old Town, which hosted a French Food Festival. A chance to taste the delicious produce of our cross channel neighbour in Normandy.

May

May was all about holidays 🏝. Lovely time spent with family at Center Parcs, cycling, swimming, climbing, playing golf, badminton, bbqing, eating and drinking. But most of all spending time together away from work and the chores of home 👍

We were home briefly to enjoy catching up with friends listening to music on the end of our award winning pier. It was a bit blustery, but the music and laughter kept us warm.

Then we were off again, on our long awaited trip to Italy. Having booked in 2019, it had been postponed twice and we could hardly believe we were actually there. Staying in a small family run hotel, we were in the perfect position to explore all that Sorrento and the surrounding Amalfi coast has to offer. We took in the beauty of the coast and surrounding towns by boat and by bus. We stepped back in time letting the train take the strain, to see Pompeii and Herculaneum, also taking in a climb up Mount Vesuvius, and an emotional trip to Monte Cassino in search of the Besties Granddad’s final resting place. An absolutely amazing 11 days. 💕

June

June saw us celebrating our wonderful Queens Platinum Jubilee. Our little close marked 70 years of devoted service, with a fantastic street party. The kids played games as the adults caught up with a glass or two toasting our Monarch.

After having his driving lessons disrupted by restrictions, our Grandson finally passed his test and took possession of the keys to his first car. ……… We’re going to need a bigger drive!!

Our Goddaughter invited us to the 1st birthday and christening of her first born. A lovely sunny afternoon in the Besties garden. Inflatables and toys keeping the little ones busy, and a marquee keeping the older ones in the shade. Perfect.

The National Trust exploration continued with visits to Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill and Batemans, the one time home of Rudyard Kipling. With the sun blazing in the sky, we could enjoy the magnificent gardens of both properties.

Then an impromptu day trip with the Besties, to get a part repaired on one of their farm machines, saw us heading to Chislehurst Caves, whilst we waited for the repair. An intriguing web of underground tunnels, which became a small underground town protected from the bombing during the war. With bedrooms, shops, a medical centre and even a post office, it was home to hundreds of families. A place to visit, if you’re in the area.

July

On our last trip before the curse that was COVID, we enjoyed a river cruise along the Danube, where we were lucky enough to spend time with a lovely couple, who were sat at our table. They were such good fun that we wanted to stay in touch. In July we kept our promise to visit them, along the coast in Deal. What a lovely day, catching up, wandering along their lovely promenade and taking lunch at their golf club. Great day 🌞

A day trip to our mighty Capital, to take in the blooms planted in the moat at the Tower of London, to honour the Queens Jubilee. Gosh what an amazing sight. Glorious blooms of all colours and sizes, lit up the moat. Birds and insects enjoying the sensations alongside us. The paths weaved in and out of the flowers, through and alongside specially commissioned sculptures. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. The day was completed with a meal at a new restaurant venture opened by our son-in-law’s cousin. Delicious food with gorgeous views across the River Thames.

We had a few days back at home, so what’s better than to spend an evening with my girls at the theatre. This time we were watching ‘The Calendar Girls”. I’ve watched the film a few times and the stage show at least twice now, but, despite the initial serious tone, it’s such a brilliant story of love and girlie friendship. Something we all need.

Two days later we were loading the car once again for a return trip to Warwick and Stratford. The trip had been based around a concert, to see Tears for Fears at Warwick Castle. Very excited, but on route we discovered due to an injury the whole of the remaining tour had been cancelled. 😢. Oh well the airbnbs had been booked and we had a whole list of other things we could do. In spite of the disappointment we had a fabulous few days of adventures.

Although we’re not that great, we do enjoy a quiz. During lockdowns we participated via zoom with several groups of friends. It gave us something to look forward to and kept the old brain ticking over. Quizzes have now returned to the local pubs, but being so busy catching up with everything else we’d postponed, it took us till July to attend our 1st one. No recollection where we came, we weren’t winners, but it was such good fun.

August

A new month dawns and another adventure begins. Heading North again (actually when you live on the South coast, not much else you can do without getting your feet wet 🤪), off to Norfolk. Spending a day in Great Yarmouth, your typical British holiday resort, then on to Norwich for a couple of days of culture. Staying in accommodation at one of the Universities we mingled a little with the students, but mostly got the bus into the City 🤣, taking in the sights and eating some good food.

Back home again we enjoyed some light hearted entertainment at the local am dram theatre, with a performance of Are you Being Served. Took us back in time to the days of British Sitcom, where anything goes. Hilarious nostalgic evening.

It was now time to resurrect our Macmillan Summer Lunch afternoon. It’s a busy few days erecting marquees, setting tables, and preparing food ready for our 50 guests. But on the day it is such fun and so rewarding when you find you’ve raised in the region of £1500 for the Macmillan Cancer Support team. After a three year gap we were a bit tentative, but it went so well,  we’re encouraged to do it all again summer 2023, maybe finding some new blood to join our guest list.

Living in a large multigenerational house, and especially during the long Summer holidays, we like to get away to enjoy a bit of peace. August saw us off to Southampton for a couple of days to watch a little cricket. We often watch a bit of cricket from the comfort of the sofa, but being in the ground was an absolutely fabulous experience, so much so that we’ve already booked tickets for two matches for the Summer of 2023.

On the way home, there was a little time to visit another National Trust Property, whose garden was a spectacular display of summer blooms, giving us a few ideas of how to improve our own tiny space.

The month was still young and we returned home to celebrate our eldest daughters birthday, together with the twins. I can’t believe that those tiny chicken legged babies that arrived just after moving into our house turned 9 in 2022.

The summer months continued with a car show, always a favourite of the hubby and an extended family gathering for a picnic in the park. None of our houses or gardens are large enough to host a gathering of the clan so the expansive lawn in the local park is the ideal spot.

Then we reached a very sunny, busy, Bank Holiday Weekend. Our local pub resumed its annual “Harrowfest”. Local bands playing music all afternoon and into the evening. From our table on the terrace, looking down onto the stage, we could enjoy the music, whilst enjoying a pint or two of cider, and sample the burgers and sausages flowing rapidly from the bbq. Great way to while away a Sunday, and with the Monday a Bank Holiday, we didn’t need to get up early in the morning. Oh no I forgot we don’t have to do that anymore, we’re retired 🤣🤣🤣. We did however rise at a reasonable hour, because we had date with the Besties for Jazz by the lake. Another lovely annual event raising money for local charities. We took our picnic, a little drink and our camping chairs and set up in front of the stage to enjoy another chilled afternoon of music with good friends. 🍀🍀

September

The rest of the household returned from their holiday in Bulgaria, and the decibels increased 🤪. But we only had to endure the noise for a couple of days before we headed off on our road trip to Wales. A rare two weeks spent in just each other’s company. A wonderful time exploring, cycling, eating, drinking, and just enjoying retired life 😍

September also saw the sad passing of our lovely Queen. Although she was 96 and hadn’t, of late, been seen very much in public, I think the whole country was in shock at the news. The new King Charles visited Cardiff two days before we arrived, towards the end of our road trip. In some ways a blessing as we missed the crowds that gathered to see him.

Arriving home, we just had time to unload the car and do some washing, before a weekend away with friends from our school days. My hubby and his school mates had all turned 60 in the past year and they travelled from far and wide to celebrate their milestone together. A fabulous weekend of fun, games, chatter and laughter. All leaving saying we must do it all again soon.

As we settled back into our busy, noisy house, we had one more escape… to the theatre to see an ELO tribute band. Music from our younger days, which we enjoyed alongside a sea of other silver haired oldies 🤣

October

As the fabulous Summer weather continued into the Autumn, we were once again in our lively old town, taking a look at the annual Classic Car show. After a wander around, we enjoyed a pasty and a pint watching the world go by outside one of the many old town pubs.

A trip to Penshurst Place was next on the agenda. Another lovely historic house with glorious grounds. The bonus being my cousin and her husband are neighbours and we continued our day with a visit to see them and their own beautiful house.

Our family gained a new addition towards the end of the month, with our youngest daughter becoming a nanny for the first time. A beautiful baby girl, with an equally beautiful name, Everlea Rose, joined our gang. 💕

We enjoyed a hallowe’en themed quiz night, but as usual didn’t win 🤣 and escaped the household again for an end of month date night.

November

The retirement adventure continued with a busy four day trip to London, taking in a couple of shows, including the magnificent Moulin Rouge, the Christmas lights, a couple of museums, an exhibition and the magnificent Royal Albert Hall.

Back home to a bit of reality, decorating the hallway and laying a new floor. It spurred the son in law on to decorate one of their bedrooms and their lounge, before the Xmas decs started to go up.

December

I was just about organised with Christmas pressie buying, before the Christmas parties and Christmas lunches began. We managed to catch up with work colleagues, ex work colleagues, had several lunches with ex work colleagues, who are now good friends and a marvellous meal with long standing school friends at our local college restaurant.

We lost interest in the World Cup ( who does that in Winter 🤷‍♀️) when England got kicked out, and headed for another quiz night. Didn’t win that either 🍀🤣, but it’s always a fun evening.

There was one final walk, for the year, along our lovely prom and a catch up with girlfriends, a haircut and a manicure ready for the ‘big’ day. I got my backside into gear and got pressies wrapped, before the house was decorated with trees, ball balls and tinsel and the festivities could begin. 🎄🤶🥂 🎁

I knew we’d had a busy year, our suitcases have been up and down to the loft like yo yo’s, but gosh, I hadn’t realised quite how busy we had been.

We’ve been lucky enough to catch up on all the trips and gifts we’d had to postpone during the pandemic, plus thrown extras into the mix, managing to tick a few more wishes off my countdown list 🍀

Best of all though, 2022 was a year filled with joy, spending time with our ever growing family and enjoying the company of great friends.

We feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives and send a huge thanks to you all, for making 2022 such a fabulous year.

Lets do it all again in 2023