Bring it on

Goodbye 2019; the good, the bad and the bloody ugly sure made it a year to remember.

I’ve done things which scared me, and others which brought me joy - some of them at the same time!

Fear: Being on a boat - Joy: experiencing this landscape due to the boat. 

Fear: being on board a ship!!!!  Joy: the things I got to experience because of it. 

I’ve seen the sun move in a circular motion, rather than the usual rise and fall.

I had my heart stolen by younglings (10 and 6 year old brothers) both of whom I wish lived closer so I could see them more.

I’ve travelled by car, boat, train and plane, sailed seas and flown across oceans. I had my breath literally
taken away when I opened the bedroom curtains at 5.10 one Tuesday morning in the spring, and seen
colours like never before during autumn.

I’ve cruised the fjords, and finally driven on the wrong side of a car, on the wrong side of the road (fairly successfully too - especially as the vehicle was a beast). I’ve travelled through tunnels dozens of miles long, eaten lunch in a cave, stopped to let turkeys cross the road in front of me. I’ve scoured a beach for sand dollars, visited the home and final resting place of the grandfather I never knew. I’ve watched Bald Eagles soar overhead as red cardinals and blue jays flitted about before me. So many things from the 'bucket list' were crossed off.

I survived a day on my own with Madame Mimi. 😂😂

I’ve witnessed bitter jealousy the like of which I didn't even know existed and watched make one-who-should-know-better look exceptionally pathetic among their peers (narcissism is such an ugly trait to possess as a human too) and watched as the another destroyed and ripped apart a family. As someone who doesn't do jealousy (something which has pissed off many-an-ex of mine) I don't get it. Both have lost far more than they could ever have gained.

I found myself at St Fairies (somewhere I never thought I’d be) alongside a scummer too!!! For the

greater good of a night with Take That; I’ve had to suffer Rick Ghastly singing for 30 minutes, and

missed out on an Adam Ant gig (something I’d waited 30 years for) due to helping out a friend-in-need.

I watched the Red Sox play the Yankees and marked 3 more states off the list. Red Sox lost but we won't dwell on that!!

I welcomed back some people from my past, and welcomed in some total newbies, whilst also cutting out others completely.

Was there one moment which stood out? No. Life is full of moments, all of which bring joy (and pain) in equal measures. How could I compare an open top boat trip (in a 50 seat passenger boat) in the rain through the fjords during April, with the small boat trip (for no more than 10) surrounded by family with waves battering us, during October. They were both equally as amazing. One thing I did do this year was take control of my life; I plan on keeping control into next year and the many, many years to come (96 is still my challenge - anything over that will be a bonus :) ).

From London, to Bergen and onto Boston I have been truly blessed in 2019. As yet there are only 2 plans in place for next year (both of them within a matter of weeks of each other) and that is not bad thing. It means my options will remain open at all times ensuring I am ready-for-anything; who knows what fun and frivolity may be awaiting me? 

I've made no resolutions except to take each-day-as-it-comes. 

Bring it on 2020 - I am so ready for you.