Out with the old...

So, another year has passed by and I, for one, will be glad to see 2017. I have been a bit disappointed with this year, as I was with 2015, and I'm really hoping that 2017 will be a better and less worrying year.

We've had more than our fair share of niggles this year, and I know a lot of other people have as well. I really thought that by now I would have a new job or be doing something that I really enjoyed, and although I love volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau once a week, the reality is I'm going to have to get serious about a new career pretty soon!

On the other hand I've made new friends (Richard and Michelle, Gill and Priya, Frank) and have dipped my toes into something new with the volunteering and the gardening with Sue, both of which I hope will be ongoing in 2017. We've had a couple of very good trips (Aldeburgh and Berlin) and we're all so excited about our holiday next August. It only seems like a few weeks ago that we booked it, but on Monday we will only have seven months to wait!

Keith's cancer scare knocked us all for six this year and we seem to have had quite a few health worries. I'm determined to get fitter in 2017 and do more walking. The saddest event in 2016 was the death of our beautiful furry bear, Archie, and we all still miss him every day. We can't believe he's not around any more, but he's safely tucked up in our garden and I talk to him whenever I go out there.

And talking of the dark side of life, this has been a terrible year for celebrity deaths with some of my favourite actors and singers passing away. The death of George Michael was a real shock. I hope and pray that 2017 will be more peaceful for everyone.

We came up with a Bucket List for 2017 the other evening. Here is our wish list:

Walk around both sides of Pitsford Reservoir, from home.

Ride the Mummy rollercoaster in Florida in August. (I will do it next year!)

Visit Broughton House.

See a film at the Errol Flynn cinema next to Derngate in Northampton.

Listen to live music at a restaurant or bar in Florida, preferably on the beach!

Eat caviar with Champagne

Visit a Latin bar and Salsa dance

Enjoy a night at a casino

Drive an Aston Martin (maybe an early 50th Birthday present?)

Walk the breadth of England


It's been a grey day today, a quiet and sombre end to the year. Sophie was at work and my parents came around for a cup of tea in the afternoon. We have no plans for tonight, other than a good meal and a glass of Cava at midnight.

Here's to 2017...Happy New Year!