Thank you 2021

Well what year, for me it felt like normality was returning but there were still many many restrictions and sadly plans cancelled. We did however spend time with our family, have some great times virtually with friends, and managed a few holidays in quieter locations. I had lots of fun too online with the wine crowd and Hubby and I made our own gin in the summer. 

Here's our 2022 highlights starting with one of our online quiz nights with our friends. In January Hubby and I added some mini bottles of wine to our online shopping order and doorstop dropped them at our friends so we could have a wine tasting night. We had all missed our wine tasting evenings, this was such fun even if the wines were a little limited.

Still in restrictions February was a little sad as we could not visit our daughter in Wales for her birthday, of course we had a lovely video call. We did have another virtual quiz night with our friends, this time all about cocktails. I  made up the spirit part of four different cocktails and reusing the mini bottles from before we did another doorstop drop - cocktail spirits, mixers and garnish ... cocktails have never been such fun! 

I have always taken the opportunity to have a special food or drink for any saints day, festival day or anniversary. March 1st is St David's Day, the patron saint of Wales, and so we had a glass of Welsh whisky and I made some Welsh cakes. 

April came, still with restrictions although a little lighter. Hubby and I met on 10th April 1985 and being as we couldn't go put to celebrate we enjoyed a glass of Sancerre (bought in the village in 2019) in our garden.

Hurrah a holiday, the end of April saw us travel up north to Berwick-upon-Tweed. It was now permitted to stay self catering and as we thought most people would go south for the warmth we travelled north. Berwick was new to us, it's a lovely place with walled ramparts that gave us plenty of walking opportunities. We stayed very much to ourselves other than shopping and, to our delight, enjoying a drink in the pub beer gardens (indoors was still not allowed) We did however cross into Scotland one day as their rules allowed you inside a pub for food but not alcohol, that was still outdoors. 

The first few months saw me increase my walking, it was a long road but my strength and stamina began to return. There aren't many places to walk to near us but we do have the canal with the unusual telegraph pole landmark. 

Finally in May we could visit Wales and see our daughter and her partner. We visited White Vastle Vineyard near Abergavenny on the way as for our Christmas present she had adopted us a vine. We had a great tour, it was super to see our names on a plaque on our vine.

Back home I was invited to take part in an online quiz by Brad Horne and Cecchi Wines. We know very little about Italian wine but I watch Brad's Instagram videos, read about Cecchi and listened carefully to the presentation by Ben, Hannah and Brad before the actual quiz questions. To my utter amazement we won and are now the proud owners of a case of Vecchi wine. 

One of the sad parts of all the restrictions has been not being able to visit Hubby's mum in her care home. As soon as we were allowed we booked a slot. We had to do a lft,  wear PPE and meet in the dedicated room but it was so nice to see her. We took a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine and some nibbles. We've been able to visit every week since, taking something to drink and eat each time. The range has been gin, wine, tea or coffee with various treats including homemade scones, rock cakes and mince pies. We are now allowed to meet in her room and although we still need an lft we only need to wear a mask. 

June also saw us spend a few days in Swindon for our wedding anniversary and Nick's driving experience at Castle Coombe. It was a birthday gift from me, he drove three cars round the circuit: Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferari 456 and Audi R8 V10. It was a great day to end our mini break and start another few days away with friends in Portishead. We have been using Premier Inn hotels for our stays, they have been so good throughout this difficult year.

Hubby and I love a road trip, it's something we have certainly missed, so we decided to go to Skegness for the day. A couple of hours drive away it was a super day. The sun shone, we had a small beer, ice cream on the beach, played on the penny (now 2p) amusements and had fish and chips ... oh we'd missed those days, it was fabulous. 

Our son gifted us a gin making day at Bond Street Distillery. He was their head barman but is now focusing on his degree studies. Hubby and I took the bus, something we have not done for years but it stopped right outside. It was a super experience learning all about distilling and choosing our own botanicals to make our own gin ... it's quite good, even if I say so myself.

An addition to our garden came in July, a hot tub. I love it, it was the perfect way to celebrate Bastille Day with a bottle of Les Dauphins Vinsorbes. 

Our daughter and partner finally came to stay, it was so difficult with England and Wales restrictions being so different. We had a super night out at the gin distillery ... we all took the bus hee hee.

In August we had a virtual wine tasting with our London friends. We both went to Aldi at the same time, had an instore phone chat to choose the wines and then a few days later had a very enjoyable evening tasting the same wines. It was not quite the same as meeting up but it was a great night.

Wanting a break away but still conscious of staying safe we decided to take a short trip to Hartlepool. It isn't somewhere you would think of for a holiday but the Premier Inn in son the harbourside and there's a Navy museum with HMS Trincomalee. We had a lovely few days away.

September is my birthday month, our friend's birthday is the day after mine so it's celebrations all round. The four of us went to on a tour of Scotland which started on my birthday which of course meant we were away to celebrate hers too. Before we went though Hubby took me to Rhuddlan in North Wales to see the castle, it was very special to me growing up. He also treated me to a canal trip with afternoon tea on the Llangollen Canal over the Pontcycyllte Aqueduct.

Scotland was amazing, it felt quite safe as we travelled in our own cars and most places we visited were quite quiet. Scotland had a few more restrictions which actually made it better. The highlight for me was seeing The Kelpies. 

We had two trips in November, both staying in Premier Inn Hotels. The first was with our friends who came to Scotland, they came with us to Cardiff and we had a great time walking Cardiff Bay.

Our other trip was to Gloucester Docks to meet up with our London friends. It was another super time, so nice to finally be able to meet in person.

December means Christmas Tree Festival at my family church. Last year it was a virtual event but this year the church was again filled with 60 real trees. My theme this year was a Bouquet of Flowers.

Our final trip of 2021 was very special and we were on tenderhooks days, weeks, beforehand. We all, Hubby, me, son, daughter and her partner, went to Falmouth to celebrate Hubby's big birthday. After everything that has happened, personally, nationally, it was so so nice to all be together and to celebrate in style. 

Whilst 2021 was not the best of years it was a year that improved as it progressed, as did I. Whether at home, staying local, days out or short breaks Hubby and I have had some super times. 

I hope 2022 brings as much fun, more family time and more opportunities to share a glass or two with our friends.... Happy New Year 🥂