It is the time of year when we spend a moment of two planning out some of our new year and inevitably looking back to see how far we have come. So here we are, my post reflecting on my 2019. I have chosen to reflect on the year by sharing 12 photos. Mainly to keep it simple and to highlight the things I have particularly enjoyed. (I took inspiration from my friend Zoe. You can read her post here)
Reflecting on 2019 in 12 photos
OK, so starting to look though my pictures, this post is harder than I anticipated! The pictures will be in no specific order and will reflect some of the many, many, many, highlights from my year. Here goes!
1. Visiting Valencia
There are so many good points about Valencia. We visited after a stint in Barcelona and I have to say I prefer Valencia. More green space from the Turia river park and also a botanical garden with cats! Need I say more.
2. Day trip to Newcastle by train
Isn’t it amazing where you can get to in a day from Manchester? I think it is! Which is why we were able to make an amazing day trip out of visiting Newcastle.
3. A city break in Prague
Most of our trips are linked with business rather than solely with pleasure. So we planned on taking one trip which was simply for fun! This one took us to Prague as it had been somewhere we had wanted to explore for some time. One of the particular highlights was the TV tower, which I find amazing both from a design point of view and from the views from inside.
4. Exploring Fort t’Hemeltje in Utrecht
One of our trips to the Netherlands gave me the opportunity to take some tips from my Dutch friends to head out-of-town to visit the local forts. I am glad I did. It, surprisingly, led me to look for forts in other countries too. Who would have known that this previous history ‘disliker’ would be hunting out forts… on her own steam!
5. Day Trips to London and visiting the Old Operating theatre
This past year was the start of our focused ‘day tripping’ adventures. We made some plans and then went for the day to London as part of this (I’ll share more in another post as this is a short one) We had wanted to visit the Old Operating Theatre for some time and were pleased that our second London trip of the year helped us to achieve our goal!
6. Being a tourist in Liverpool
I am originally from the Wirral, so spent a lot of time in Liverpool. A lot of time, but not a lot of interest in the sights (thanks teenage haze brain!) So we have been making a thing of being a tourist in my cities with an Urban Ramble around the city and visiting St John’s Beacon. There are more adventures to come here though. Who knew there was so much to see…
7. Day out to Bletchley Park
Carrying on with our day trips by train, we made our way down to Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes for a day. We loved it so much that we are planning a return trip (the entry tickets are valid for a year, so that is a nice big win!)
8. Simply enjoying the Manchester canal system
It isn’t all about far away places and train trips. Many of my highlights in reflecting on 2019 are around my time spent on my local canals and doing my reverse commute. The simple joy of watching the seasons slowly change and the plants making the landscape different by the day.
9. Visiting Gdansk
I have a real love for Poland and Gdansk is up there with some of my favourite places to visit. There are Dutch touches to the area and I learned more than I ever have about WWII in the museums and by walking the area.
10. Spending time with friends for Ordnance Survey Get Outside Day
This is becoming somewhat of a tradition and when I am reflecting on 2019, it is one which brings the biggest of grins to my face. It didn’t matter that it was lashing it with rain a lot of the time or that we were sometimes traipsing through mud, time with my friends Zoe and Katy while outdoors is always fun! (you can read about 2018 here)
11. Day trip to Leamington Spa
Bizarrely, this one came about while chatting to my neighbour over trimming the hedge. A quick google over lunch and we had booked out impromptu trip to the city. Another surprisingly excellent day as we went with no expectation other than to wander and explore. Which is often the best way to ensure a great day, I find.
12. Mini break in Paris
To end the year, we took a mini break to Paris by EuroStar. Something we have been wanting to do together for some time. It turned out to be a lovely way to shake off the challenges of the year and led us into an enjoyable end of 2019 and December.
Reflecting on 2019
So there we have it. I have been reflecting on 2019 and chosen twelve of the great moments of the year. Yes, there have been plenty more. And a couple of hugely sucky, rubbish, humps to overcome along the way. But in the grand scheme of things I did an incredible amount of good things. I enjoyed day trips from Manchester, spent time with family and friends and most importantly, remembered how I can get over even the hardest of things which show up in life.
Looking forward
So here’s to another year of adventure, friendship, love and experience!