Wrapping up 2023

Here’s wrapping up 2023, a very curious year.

Some of the year in numbers

Miles driven: over 20,000
Overseas trips: 0
Visits to Cumbria: 2
Visits to Wales: 1
Admitted into hospital: 2
Pantomimes: 2
Months on the U3A committee before I abruptly resigned: 3
Helped counting elections: 2
How many Ukrainian guests: 3
Months for our new kitchen to be completed: 4
Parking tickets: 1
Stoke Bruerne to London bike ride stages: 5
Punctures on bicycle: 1
Books published: 0
Meetings with MP: 1
Cameras purchased: 1

Highlights

Seeing our granddaughter throughout her first year

Nadine Dorries resigning as our MP and succeeded by a Labour MP (Liberal Democrats would also have been fine for me)

Our Council has changed from a Conservative majority to Independent led; they are getting a grip on finances

A winter holiday in Wales at the start of the year

A winter holiday in Cumbria at the end of the year

Learning about lime mortar and plaster and other breathable materials

Having a new bathroom installed

Having a new kitchen and laundry

Welcoming our three Ukrainian guests and learning so much about them; they have been with us for just over six months

Rachel buying me an Apple watch

Cycling from Northampton to central London on the Grand Union canal towpath – chatted to several boaters

Church youth group going well

Both cars easily passed their MOT tests, much to my relief

Drawing of my mother featured in London exhibition

Taking my Mother into London; it meant a lot to her

My kidneys seem to be stable

Apparently, I am the church chippie and sign writer

Negatives

Another year older

Discomfort, occasional light pain on my chest / arm pit area that nobody knows the reason.  At least my heart is okay.

We still have a Tory Government

Another year and no art, not as much photography as I expected

The kitchen and laundry refit dragged on for months, creating ill feeling with the fitters.  It meant we had a temporary washing up station in the garden for over two weeks – complete with outside tap!  At least it was summer.

Inflation worries me, we could do with interest rates remaining higher for a while longer so our savings interest rates can exceed inflation for a while

I have been told I have arthritis in my right foot.  Advised to give up running.  After eight months I’m still unhappy about this

I haven’t pushed myself very much this year.  If I’m honest with myself, this year I have ‘coasted’ a bit too much.  This, perhaps, is the biggest negative and the one I can fix next year

Overall…..

I have an overwhelming feeling of being incredibly blessed. I am so utterly thankful.