Looking back on 2020 I'm sure we all agree that it has been a challenging year and we look forward with hope in our hearts to better times in the new year.
Here is a roundup of photos that will give you some idea of life in our household during 2020. There's so much to be thankful for - Mr P's recovery from his replacement hip operation last January, just in time before we entered into the first national lockdown. I had a good result from my annual health checkup at the local hospital in June. My operations in 2016 seem in the distant past now, although I continue with checkups and treatment, for which I'm grateful.
As you can imagine, the garden and the covered yard have been appreciated not just for growing and enjoying produce and flowers, but also areas that family have been able to sit in when small groups were allowed to visit. I've also spent a lot of time looking out of the back bedroom window. I particularly enjoyed the sun rising on another day of life and the changing scenery each season.
The new greenhouse will be a useful addition next year.
I'm looking forward to seeing all those Spring bulbs that were planted in pots and in flower beds a month or two ago. Some of them are coming through the earth already.
Local walks were appreciated as well as Mr P driving us further afield in the Summer when we managed to spend a few hours with our son and family as well as enjoying a socially distanced meeting with extended family from Berkshire who were staying in a self-contained holiday home near Chatsworth Estate. However, it was sad not to see the grandchildren who live at a distance. We appreciated the effort one grandson made to come and visit for a few hours when travelling was allowed. Since the Summer months the government has tightened up all the rules because of the rise in numbers of infections. We are in Tier Zones and we are in the High Alert Tier 3. Most regions are in Tier 4, but that might change again and things could get even stricter as pressure mounts in the medical, social caring and teaching sectors. Those in retail, hospitality, arts and culture, charitable organisations are also experiencing hard times.
Bakewell, Derbyshire in the Summer.
Our local area is about as far as we will go for a drive at the moment when the weather is suitable.
Most of the time, especially in the cold weather we're experiencing now we're staying indoors watching some recorded television programmes and nurturing the indoor plants. I'm doing some reading, crafting, and we're enjoying the food treats that have been gifted to us and sharing the cooking activities for lunches and evening meals.
(photo taken in May 2019 by our nephew who visited from Italy)
Well, that's all for today and indeed this year. I nearly gave up blogging when New Blogger gave me some technical challenges I did not need. I'm thankful to all of you, my readers, for keeping in touch and for your encouraging advice when I felt like giving up on blogging. I wish you all the very best as we journey into the new year. Happy New Year! Buon anno nuovo!
