March: Mum’s 60th, Open Artist’s House and lockdown

Well…that escalated, didn’t it!

One minute we’re happily skipping along going about our lives as usual, and then suddenly we’re in the midst of a global pandemic and confined to our houses.

It feels a bit like we left the world behind in March and we’ve been living in an alternate reality for the last couple of months (I started writing this in May and now at the time of publishing it’s the 1st of July.) It’s very strange to look back at what a mixed bag month this was.

February: Texas two-stepping, Reykjavik and New York trip and let’s talk contraception

As I’m writing this, we’re in the midst of a global pandemic.

However as this is a blog about the events of three months ago, which I really should have written it at the beginning of March, I’m going to pretend that I don’t know this has happened yet. You can read all about how I’m dealing with the pandemic in next month’s instalment! Let’s pretend for a little bit longer…

February is always welcome when it comes around – it’s a short month that follows a long January and paves the way to Spring.

January was great, and I’ve had an equally enjoyable February. Our holiday that’s been in the works for almost a year finally came around and I saw lots of the people in my life that I love so there was plenty to be happy about!

A trip to Reykjavik

You won’t believe for how many years I’ve been drafting up travel recommendation/trip review blogs and haven’t published them. I’m hoping this will be my first people can actually read.

The reason this one is first is that I quickly put together some recommendations for a friend who was visiting so I handily have them all written up. I don’t know about you, but I love receiving personal recommendations for travelling, especially when it comes to food as I cannot compromise on food and always want to be eating at the tastiest places.

I first visited Reykjavik back in November 2015 with my Dad, Brother-in-law and just fallen pregnant Sister. I think we stayed for two or three nights and did a mix of exploring the small city and some tours. I fell in love with Iceland from the moment I set foot in it and have been super keen to return since – and this year I did.

Last month I went back with two friends and stayed for three nights before flying onto New York.

This blog is a culmination of recommendations from the two trips to the best of my knowledge and memory. I hope it proves useful for your own trip, but of course I hope you make your own fabulous discoveries too.

January: mystery trip, a 10k and 2020 plans

Happy New Year! I think it’s far too late to say that now – but I’m behind on my blog posts so you’ll just have to deal with it.

January has been a pretty great month actually – a memorable one. Usually it’s that month at the beginning of the year that by summer you’ll have forgotten what the hell happened. But I’ve done some fun stuff this month and been thinking about what this year holds for me.

December: Christmas, burnout and lots of singing

I’m trying to think of something to say that doesn’t seem cliche for the last month of the year, but alas, I cannot.

End of the year, and the end of a decade.

I’ve tried to think of it just from one day to the next, but 2020 is set to be a year of change and from December to January feels like a big jump in time – a lot closer to the things happening in 2020!

November: no spend month, Norfolk weekend trip and dating

This blog’s coming to you a little later than usual, but I’m glad to say I’m still here and I haven’t given up!

The lead-up to Christmas means it’s been a little crazier than usual, so squeezing in some time to write this has been challenging. It’s safe to say I’m looking forward to a bit of time off over the holidays.

But last month was pretty great and interesting for several reasons – read on…

October: Wild Wales holiday, TV binges and Sunday me dates

Ah, another month gone. This one was pretty good, as it involved a holiday in Pembrokeshire and lots of exploring!

September: Isle of Wight trip, Auntie duties and a cat

It’s Friday night.

I’m sitting on my bed, with comfy clothes on, a dressing gown and a blanket. Friends is on in the background, and I’ve got a pizza on the way.

Tonight’s plans were cancelled, and my period which surprised me by coming five days early has got me feeling rather rubbish so it all worked out quite well really.

August: friends, games night & Harry Potter

I’ve been trying to find the right way to flex my writing muscles for a while because, well, I bloody love it and it’s a great creative outlet for me.

I was inspired by my online-friend-but-haven’t-met-in-person-yet-but-can-I-still-call-her-a-friend Louise’s monthly blogs, which are a sum up of her month and really enjoyable to read (go, read them).

So I hope I’m not ripping off her blogs by doing something very similar. For the same reasons as Louise, I need something to make sure I’m regularly writing, and they’ll hopefully motivate me to write in between. I already have about seven blog posts in draft that have been in that state for about a year.

I tried to do this a year ago, at the exact time of year. I have a pretty much fully formed blog that never saw the light of day, but we won’t let that happen to this one will we? NO.

The world outside my window

As I gaze out of my bedroom window, cup of tea in hand and taking a moment to pause before my day starts, I can see the garden is full of activity.

A robin lands on the fence, his unmistakable red breast catching my eye. He pauses for the longest time, surveying his surroundings and pondering his next move.

A blackbird lands on the top of the tree that is usually ruled by the infamous ring-necked parakeets. They often flock in the tree to rest or to groom and I know when they’re coming and going thanks to their signature squawking.

A dunnock hides in the foliage of the tree in front, and another lands on the fence following the departure of the robin.

As I leave the house and head to work, a grey squirrel makes a dash for it across the road, heading for the park which is just a few doors down from where I live.

Returning home at the end of the day, later than most, I spot a fox trotting along the path who then dives over a low brick wall. I catch him making his way into the next door house’s drive, and he lingers for just a moment to express his shock at seeing me before squeezing through the gate into their garden, no doubt to search for scraps of food.

Even in the heart of South London, nature thrives and fills every corner. Look carefully, and you’ll see it’s there.