At the end of almost every year since I started this blog, I've written an end of year review; reflecting on the ups and downs of the year, the places we've been, the fun stuff we've done, the life lessons learned and perhaps even plans and goals for the year ahead. I usually really enjoy writing it; looking back over the year, flicking through photo albums, going back through earlier posts, being proud of achievements and thinking through what didn't quite go to plan.
But here we are at the end of 2020 and I've not really blogged all that much, especially compared to 2019 where I posted every week all year. However, 2020 has been a year like no other in my lifetime (although not as bad as 536 or 1349 according to the discussion currently on Radio 5 live). My usual sources of inspiration - travel, racing and training, weekends away, nights out with friends, parkrun adventures. concerts, meals out, theatre trips - have all been put on hold. As a result, I have definitely lost my blogging voice.
It's not that I've not been doing anything creative; it's just I've channeled it in other directions. I've been baking cookies on an almost weekly basis (and I never normally bake). I made about 200 Christmas cards and countless other greetings cards too. I've quizzed like never before. I've played online scrabble with my sister. I've scrolled through Twitter.
The light changes, the clouds gather, the sun rises and sets, the mist swirls, the reflections shimmer in the canal, the wind blows, the rain falls and every now and then the snow returns and it looks like a perfect Christmas card.
But here we are at the end of 2020 and I've not really blogged all that much, especially compared to 2019 where I posted every week all year. However, 2020 has been a year like no other in my lifetime (although not as bad as 536 or 1349 according to the discussion currently on Radio 5 live). My usual sources of inspiration - travel, racing and training, weekends away, nights out with friends, parkrun adventures. concerts, meals out, theatre trips - have all been put on hold. As a result, I have definitely lost my blogging voice.
It's not that I've not been doing anything creative; it's just I've channeled it in other directions. I've been baking cookies on an almost weekly basis (and I never normally bake). I made about 200 Christmas cards and countless other greetings cards too. I've quizzed like never before. I've played online scrabble with my sister. I've scrolled through Twitter.
And I've taken hundreds of photos.
All of the same thing.
And I'm still not bored.
I sit at the kitchen table as I am now and turn, eyes left, and check they are still there; still the same. A lot of things have been strange and life seems to have been turned upside down. But it's ok; the bottle kilns are still there. I open the balcony door and let in the fresh air.
I don't think a day has gone by since lockdown began that I've not paused for a moment to take in the view - the bottle kilns have been a calming port in a storm after a difficult day working at home; the backdrop to every meal and the start/finish line and cafe view for our (not) parkruns on a Saturday morning. I feel very fortunate, this year more than ever.
The Bottle Kilns have remained constant; the view from my kitchen window.
This is my happy place and I'm never happier than when the snow falls.
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