Saturday, December 31, 2022

On the Last Day of the Year

This year we'd hoped to travel further afield again after two years of keeping close to home. It wasn't to be as I've had a bad year health wise and am still struggling with various things.  But we are lucky to have our garden and some lovely and interesting places locally or not too far away.  Over the last three years nature and being out in it has been a constant to cling to when things have seemed out of kilter.

 Anyway,  I've selected a photo from each month of the past year as a reminder of just what we have been able to achieve this year.

January

A Chaffinch flies towards the bird feeders during the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch which I enjoy taking part in each year.
 
February

Symbols of hope for Spring.  Snowdrops at Hopton Hall, near Carsington in Derbyshire.

March

The first Comma butterfly of the year resting on the heather in the garden.  Not so many butterflies spotted this year as last year.  There seemed to be lots around on our walks last year, was it the summer heat wave that changed things?

April

 The Wood Anemones we planted last year appeared.  I'd wanted them in the garden for ages, so I was thrilled to see them.  I hope they come back next year.  Looking out today the garden looks quite forlorn.  I can't wait to see those first green shoots of Spring.

May

Bluebells in our local wood.  Always a wonderful sight every year.

June

A very short visit to Lincolnshire. Sand, sea and glowering skies at Sutton-on-Sea.  This was our first sight of the sea since September 2019 when we had a holiday on Anglesey.

July

Orchids at RSPB Consall Nature Reserve. 

August

First spotting of a Painted Lady butterfly at a garden centre in Uttoxeter.


September

Mum by Mr and Mrs Ferguson.  One of the exhibits in the   Radical Horizons exhibition at Chatsworth, Derbyshire.
 
October


Gaia by Luke Jerram on display in Derby Cathedral. 

November
 
It was a great year for fungi we saw so many different varieties on our walks. I seem to have taken more photos of them than anything else.

December
 
The weekend before Christmas we went to Little Moreton Hall to listen the early music musicians Piva.  Last seen in December 2019.  It was so cold both inside and out, but the music warmed us for a while.
I'll be back next year.  I hope you all have a peaceful and healthy new year.  Take care.
 

16 comments:

  1. I enjoyed seeing your pictures throughout the year in this post. I hope you have a very healthy and happy 2023! -Jenn

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  2. Happy New Year! Lovely photos. We hope to travel to England this year to visit my aunt and other family. And thank you for introducing me to Piva! I ordered their Christmas CD and enjoyed it very much.

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    1. Thank you Granny Sue. Glad you received the CD in time for Christmas. Happy New Year:)

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  3. Your shot of Gaia is my favourite.

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    1. Thank you William, it's one of my favourites too:)

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  4. Happy New Year Rosie! Thank you for all the lovely photos you have shared with us over the past year. Wishing you the best of health and lots of good times in 2023. x

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    1. Thank you for being a good blogging friend for so many years. Wishing you all the best for 2023:)

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  5. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year Rosie. I so hope next year you will be able to get further afield again for holidays. Lovely Photos in your blog post. Snowdrops, Wood Anemones and Bluebells and the return of butterflies is always something to look forward to. Nature is a wonderful thing to help when life is really awful as well as when all is going well. I must check and see if Gaia is coming anywhere near us. 2019 Anglesey though in June was also the last time we saw the sea. Gosh I do miss it. Perhaps next year the Isle of Wight will beckon. Take care Rosie and all the best for 2023.

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    1. Thank you RR hope you have a happy and healthy New Year too. You will soon be returning to you caravan for more adventures. I hope Gaia comes your way, I think there are several on tour. It's good to find solace and inspiration in Nature when life gets stressful. I hope we can both see the sea again this year. Take care and all the best for 2023:)

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  6. Happy memories to relive and enjoy, you don't have to go far to find wonderful things that amaze and bring cheer. Hope you have had a good Christmas and all the very best for a happy, healthy New year. 😊

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    1. I think I haven't didn't do much last year but when I look back there are some lovely memories. Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2023:)

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  7. A happy and healthy New Year to you Rosie. Thank you for sharing such lovely pictures from 2022.

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    1. Thank you, Beverley, glad you enjoyed the photos. Best wishes and a Happy New Year:)

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  8. Happy New Year Rosie & do hope your health improves for 2023 & as Spring approaches you get to go further afield. Take care & hugs.

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    1. Thank you Susan. Best wishes to you too. Two lovely parakeets in the post this morning, Take care:)

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