The best days of 2017

Every year I look back on the best days of the year. Sometimes, a month will go by without anything happening that can be truly described as "great" so I cheat a little and substitute other days from different months. 2017 has not been the best of years and our health problems have dogged us throughout the year. I think I have cried more this year than any other year I can remember, what with job worries and health scares. I sincerely hope that 2018 will be a great year for us all and a let up in the niggly little anxieties we've all endured over the past twelve months. Our holiday in Florida was the highlight of the year - thank goodness for that!

Here are the winners from 2017:

January:

Sunday 15th January - my birthday and a rain-sodden trip down to London. The weather didn't spoil things, though, and a celebrity sighting in the pub later in the day was the icing on the cake!

February:

Thursday 2nd February - Keith and I had our belated "Christmas do" at the pub and returned later in the day for a meal with Mike.

March:

See August.

April:

Wednesday 5th April - Sophie's 21st birthday and another trip to London. A picnic in the park, a wander around the National Portrait Gallery and dinner at a pub in Chiswick. With gorgeous weather, it was a perfect day!

May:

Sunday 28th May - a beautiful day, a lovely walk and a visit to the alpacas, followed by a lazy afternoon in our sunny garden.


June:

Sunday 25th June - a day off for us all and Sophie and I enjoyed a lovely treat at Beckworth in the afternoon. Bliss!

July:

Wednesday 26th July - a really sociable, lovely day as we met Gill for coffee in town and then had a cocktail at the bar in Derngate afterwards. In the evening we shared a bottle of wine or two with Sue and Michelle. We had a great natter and it went on for far longer than any of us anticipated!


August:

Friday 11th August - we find Naples Pier, have a lovely coffee at Tony's Off Third and return in the evening for a delicious meal at The Old Naples Pub. With sunbathing and swimming, it was a lovely day!

Monday 21st August - we drive over to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, taking in beautiful Bonita Beach on the way. Lunch was at The Green Flash restaurant on Captiva and it was wonderful. With the solar eclipse taking place, and dinner in the evening at The Cheesecake Factory, it was one of the best days of the holiday!

September:

Sunday 17th September - A perfect Autumn day. We visited The Yards in Kettering and then had a lovely cup of tea at The Retro Union Bar. A really enjoyable day!

October:

Sunday 8th October - A beautiful day (warm and sunny) and a visit to Althorp for the Literary Festival. We see a magnificent Bald Eagle and enjoy an ice-cream sundae afterwards!


November:

Sunday 12th November - A cold and sunny trip to Woburn for afternoon tea to celebrate Mum's birthday. We had a lovely mooch around the shops and a great time enjoying cakes and sandwiches!


 December:

Sunday 17th December - A day trip to France, the Christmas market at Arras and then wine buying at Carrefour in Cite Europe. The highlight was beer and pommes frites at a cafe before we returned home!

Cheers!