2011 and all that!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.

I can hardly believe that it is a year ago that I first began to Blog and unlike my poor attempts at keeping a standard type diary, I have managed, so far, to keep it going for a full twelve months. Hopefully, I can achieve a further twelve months of recording the events, people and thoughts that make an impression on my life, and in the process, maybe entertain my few followers.

Well, Christmas and New Year celebrations went ahead without me participating in very much at all as, like many others from the sound of it (i.e. the sound of sneezing, coughing and moaning), I was incarcarated indoors with the 'flu, despite having had the jab. So all the usual events were 'off'' and I felt too ill to even care at the time. No carol singing at Lichfield Cathedral, no get-togethers with friends, and for the first time in over 30 years, no walk to Shenstone on Boxing Day to watch the Mummers Play and Morris Dancing. Mike went on his own and left me at home in the warm. I did feel a bit sad when I waved him off, but soon got over it, as I curled up on the sofa. It looked very dull and grey outside. Mike and our two grandchildren attended the candlelit carol service at church. I was tempted, but I couldn't have sung without coughing.

Fortunately for everyone concerned, I wasn't entertaining a house full of guests for Christmas dinner this year. After Mike had returned from church, son A drove us to R & S's where, after present opening, we sat down to a wonderful spread. Well done to Sarah who was just about OK after being ill herself. Then it was time for dancing to the Wii, with even Grandma and Granddad trying their best to follow the routines, with great hilarity all round. About 7pm our little grandson asked "Can they all go home now? I want a bath." One of his presents was a rescue boat and he was eager to play with it.

The day after Boxing Day my sister and husband drove down from County Durham, to stay the night with us, before setting off back up to Hathersage in Derbyshire the following morning. This year we had to give the traditional carol singing at The Little John a miss. Still I was, by this time, beginning to feel a bit better.group

Our friends D & D were feeling too ill themselves to join us for New Year's Eve, so we celebrated on our own as we often do, with good food and wine, followed by champagne at midnight. All in the comfort of our own home. There were texts to and from the family - R, S, A & W at a party, and A & E in Ambleside with friends. I was definitely feeling much better as we both managed to stay up well after midnight. Last year's firework display from 'the folks on the hill' was not up to scratch. This year we didn't even have one! Times must be hard on Sherifoot Lane. We stood in the window clutching our glasses, watching a of young people at the end of our neighbour's drive setting off Chinese lanterns, their faces illuminated by the flames, looking up into the sky as the lanterns lifted off, up and over the houses. High above the fields, more lanterns drifted towards and over our house.

Today it's our turn - R & S and our grandchildren are coming round for a New Year's Day meal. Things are getting back to normal. I'm even wondering how the allotment is fairing. It's a dull, grey, misty, and raw day. Just as well, otherwise I could be tempted to make a visit to the plot. Besides, I need to take my first 2011 photos.

Talking of photos, I had a lovely surprise yesterday. A few days earlier I'd taken the opportunity of a free photo calendar offer in the Telegraph. As instructed, I downloaded the free 'creator' from Albelli and spent ages deciding on the photos I wanted for each month. I'm so pleased with the result, and all for the price of the postage. It looks so professional, and I'm chuffed to bits, so I'll definitely be trying out something else from their website.