Festivities 🎄

After returning from Morocco and a brief few days enjoying Norfolk beach walks with friends, it was a flying visit to London for the music of Fleetwood Mac, Christmas lights and exhibitions. The ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ at the Natural History Museum is always interesting to see. This year I spent most of the time reading the stories in the photo journalism section, which told of species endangered by the actions of humans. There was also a short film telling of two photographers efforts to get the pictures that were on display.

Next, it was home to remember what I needed to pack in Roo for a road trip up to Yorkshire. We stayed on a farm where my youngest nephew enjoyed the egg collecting each morning (followed by egg eating!) It was also a great spot for walking and the village held lots of events for Christmas which we were able to join in with including a Christmas quiz (I love a quiz,) carols outside the pub and a Christingle service at the church. 

Whatever you did this festive season, I hope you were able to make space for something you enjoy. For some, it is not the ‘all singing, all dancing, happy’ time of year. And that’s OK. Dad and I used to spend it quietly, with a walk and a mince pie. No presents, no rushing around madly, staying away from the commercial noise that sadly now surrounds this season. For me, this year the poignant moment was the Reverend leaving the manger empty during the Christmas service as a mark of respect and a pause for us all to consider the atrocities happening in the Middle East currently.

I think I felt even more grateful to be around those closest to me and for having time to meet and catch up with new friends made this year. Whether it was a windswept walk, a cuppa and cake, or both, it was lovely to spend time with folk I have been lucky enough to cross paths with in 2023. Genuinely kind people who also have that nomadic gene that keeps them wandering.

Our plan was to head from Yorkshire and the Peak District towards Wales for the New Year, but storms have stopped play. Walking and getting everything wet is the only time for me that van life is not so much fun. So after a visit to Sherwood Forest, it’s homeward bound to the wood burner and sloe gin.