Half way through January!!

I hate January!! 

I always feel January is a bit of a marathon, an endurance test!! 

But we're two weeks through!

Mock exams are done!!

I ended my stint with a 3 hour (with an extra 45mins) Philosophy exam.

We were the last ones standing. Just me, a boy, and an empty exam hall.

My exams are done until April, so I have a bit more time at home. 

This is what I come home to....a daily scene!

The plate has now reached the worktop, rather than being left on the kitchen table, but still hasn't quite jumped into the sink and washed itself!! I keep explaining to Sam that he is no longer a visitor but is living here, for the foreseeable, and that means doing the washing up!!! Hasn't quite computed yet!!

Wednesday was a lovely morning. Frustratingly, I had a doctor's appointment, so a walk was off the cards. It was still pretty on my walk into town. I had a HRT follow up. Another change of treatment to get my symptoms under control. I will get there eventually!!!

I spent my afternoon over in Wells, at my local little cinema watching Hamnet, my first film of the year. It's a fabulous place, £5 for a ticket with a free coffee/tea and a biscuit. So I try and use it when I can. 

I spent a very wet Thursday embarking on my de-cluttering mission! I have so many clothes but end up wearing the same things day in, day out. So I want to really go through everything and really analyse what I wear. If I haven't worn something in a year, get rid! I have a box of duplicates. Being short, I often find it hard to find trousers in particular, in the right size/length, so if I really like something, I buy a duplicate pair ready for when the original wears out. So rather than these being hung up, I've made a list and boxed them up, so it's easier to see what I have. So far I've gone through my shorts, trousers and skirts (which I never wear, but have just in case I have an occasion where I might have to wear one!!) Next week I'll tackle my jumpers, tops, jackets etc. The charity shop is going to love me x

What a gift of a morning x

My day started off with an impromptu walk on Friday.  

I had no plans to walk, as I had a coffee date in the diary but when you wake up to a morning like this, you squeeze it in!! I had to stop en-route to take this capture. Simply stunning.

A quick hour around Ham Wall before meeting up with my friend.

The light was perfect.

And the views stunning.

My first Scarlet Elf Cup spot of the year.

And as always, the friendliest of robins.

Saturday was a Gallery day.

The Student Exhibition.

I have one more Saturday next week and then that's me done until the next exhibition, which starts after February half term. I wish more people came to see it. It really is a fabulous celebration of student work and worthy of being seen.

This week has been full of drama on the music front, well, if you are a Harry Styles fan! He has been teasing/dripping out his new album/tour hints. I will try, being the operative word, to get tickets when the pre-sale goes live. I think it will be a hard ask, but if it's meant to be, it will happen. Sophie and I saw him live in 2023 at Cardiff Stadium. Rumour has it, it'll just be at Wembley, so will be highly sought after. I just hope tickets go on sale before I'm back in the gallery, so I can sit at my computer and waste a morning watching the queue crawl to nothing!! I must be positive!!

Today (Sunday) is grey, damp and miserable!  If we get dry weather during the week ahead, I will get out and walk. If it's wet, my de-cluttering mission will continue. I need to spend some time researching/booking the last two destinations of our summer trip. I've booked 90% of the trip, just two short town stops to get done! I've been loving Amanda & Alan's Greek Job on the island of Corfu. It makes me excited for the summer. We are ending our Ionian adventure on the island of Corfu. The island where we first holidayed together and where we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I have so much love for the island of Corfu. I'd happily be there now, instead of a grey, damp, miserable day in the UK! 24 weeks away and counting!!

What a week, exams, PV, gallery...

HOLA! Week one of January done!!!

I made the most of my Monday morning. 

It was my only chunk of free time this week.

Sam was supposed to come with me but an extra hour in bed was more appealing. 

So I went solo! Parked up at the YHA and headed out for some fresh air.

Relishing in the the odd nod to Spring and new growth.

It's a lovely walk....

....just me!!

I didn't see another soul for the duration of my walk.

The forecast for the weeks ahead are wet. 

I have loved these clear blue sky days. 

It makes such a difference to my general well being and happiness.

This is my favourite tree.

Is that odd, having a favourite tree?

It is the perfect shape and stands proudly, on it's own, in the middle of the field.

And this is a feature I have found on my phone, that can change the style of an image 

(pic from above) There are a few to choose from, I think they're cool, just a bit of fun. I needed to disguise a gallery pic (see below) and as a result discovered this fancy feature!! 

Simple observations, like the light on this leaf, make me happy x

I took this photo back in late November. It was on the pavement outside Snails Deli in Cardiff. This week the words have really resonated with me. Over the Christmas period we had some extremely sad family news. My cousins' 27 year old daughter passed away, I won't go into the details but such a sad end to a young life. And earlier this week I was told that a work colleague had a terminal health diagnosis. Both upset me greatly. Both made me take a deep breath and want to shout 'Live life to the full!' at the top of my voice. Take every day and see the joy, be happy, seek out the positives, however small. None of us know what is around the corner, what we might have to endure, so when life is just plodding along, find the small moments of joy, the things that make you happy. Walk past people, say hello, smile, just gesture kindness. Make the most of a blue sky morning. Tell someone they look nice today or hold a door open, help someone with an everyday task, just small gestures of kindness and positivity make a huge difference to another person or how it can make you feel.

I was working in the gallery yesterday and another teacher messaged me to say she was on her way back to school and passing by Starbucks, would I like a coffee. That small, but incredibly thoughtful gesture made my day. 

I have been in school, back to work, all week. It's been a shock to the system. The positive, my week has whizzed by. I have been invigilating U6 mock exams. I do the additional support exams, so end up with the students who use laptops, have additional time, rest breaks etc. 

In-between the exam sessions and during any free time, I have been helping out in the gallery...

 .....preparing for the student exhibition.

Outside, looking in.

It was the Private View on Friday evening and then I was in all day yesterday hosting the exhibition to the general public. I love this exhibition. Unfortunately the work can not be photographed or shared on social media, hence the blurred and enhanced images, as it is current exam work. It's such a shame as the art work is brilliant, so you need to pop in and see it in the flesh, if you are local!!

One thing I am going to try and do, in addition to my monthly round-up, is a weekly best nine! 

I have a plan/idea to showcase my year in one square!!! 

So every Wednesday evening, I am going to do a weekly round-up of images that reflect my week. As always, you can see these in real time over on my Instagram account. It's currently set to private, so if you do wish to pop over and have a nosey, you just need to request to follow and then I can approve your request to access my account.

So, today I am doing nothing!! 

I have two more full days of exams next week, then my current exam stint is done, until the main exam season starting in April. I am in for the next two Saturdays, hosting the student exhibition and then return after February half term for the next exhibition run of four weeks.

So I have a bit of free time ahead. I am hoping we get some dry days to get out walking. I have lots of people to catch up with over coffee. There are a few films I'd like to see. I want/need to have a good de-clutter at home and then take any good stuff to the charity shop and lastly, I want to find a pocket or two of time, to read my book. I'm currently reading 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo', by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It's a great book but I've only been managing a chapter a night, as I've been so tired!!

Wishing any readers here, a great week xx

January beginnings

We start the year with the first full moon, a supermoon, the Wolf Moon.

It was incredible, watching it appear from behind the Tor. It literally took just over a minute to be fully visible and it was so big and so bright. Amazing!!

The day started off beautifully clear and bright. 

I took myself off, over to Coombe Hill woods.

It was so peaceful and calm.

That is something I want to do more of this year, get back to my walking.

If it's dry and I've nothing on, I want to get out and walk!!

Sometimes the thought of it is too much but once I am out, actually walking, it feels great to be out in the fresh air. I do prefer to walk on my own, at my own pace, taking photo's as and when I like. I must be stronger at carving out time just for me and not waste hours scrolling through social media!!

I have been using my time off to get organised.

Starting the year off with a tidy desk. Remove the clutter!!

I've also been LOVING the Traitors.

It's such a good show and I've managed to persuade Jeff to watch it with me this series. I love the fact that everyone has to watch in real time and that it's something to talk about afterwards. Although I do wish they didn't leave the episode on a cliff-hanger and we have to wait days to find out what happens! 

Daffs are back in the shops. Best £1 spent in January.

Something so simple.....

....brings me so much joy!

The weather these past few days has been dry and cold. Perfect winter weather!

This was the sky this morning!

So tomorrow marks the return to work.

Sam returns today. He came back from Bristol late Friday evening and is back in today 2 - finish. Jeff is back in tomorrow morning, a six week term ahead. And, I start back on Monday afternoon, invigilating an A'Level mock Politics exam. The Student exhibition opens this week, with the Private View on Friday evening and then I'm in for the following three Saturdays.

I'm spending today organising our next trip away, during the Easter break. We've had the flights booked for ages but haven't got round to sorting out our accommodation. It's slightly tricky as we fly out on Maundy Thursday, straight into the Easter festivities and we have no idea what public transport will be running, so getting around could be a little tricky. I like to spend January plotting and planning out our adventures. Gives me something to look forward to. 

Our Summer trip is 90% booked, just two places left to book and then we have our October adventure to organise. The flights have been booked but that's it, so I can start to research that. We most probably, won't be going anywhere at Christmas this year, as Jeff breaks up a little later, so I will turn my attention to 2027! We already have our Summer destination figured out, so I can start looking!!!

Hello 2026

Pinch and a punch.....

.....hello January and .....

......hello 2026!!

I remembered to snap this photo, just as Sam was heading out the door to catch the bus. It would be my only chance to get a photo of us altogether, as Sophie would be back in Cardiff by the time Sam returned. But, I hadn't put up the banner...

...so we had to make do with Sam's Graduation photo!!!

It's tradition!!!

Sam spent New Years Eve in Bristol with Poppy.

Sophie, Jeff and I had a quiet night in, watched a film, then the fireworks and Big Ben!

It was far too cold to be celebrating outside!!

I wonder what's in store for us all this year. 

Sophie? A new house, maybe!?! (it didn't quite happen in 2025)

Sam? A new job? Move to Bristol??

Me? Feel more energised and in control of the menopause!!!

Jeff? Stay fit and healthy! Inching ever closer to retirement!!

Good health and happiness all round and no dramas please x

Our travel plans are in place for the year ahead. Not as many trips as last year but we have our BIG Greek adventure in the summer planned, to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. 

Starting the 13 week countdown to Italy in April!

As always with a new year, come the fresh starts/plans/goals/intentions...

But no big start over here, more plodding on from where 2025 left off, 

but with a renewed commitment for 'consistency'.

In August I returned from holiday vowing to make August count. And I did! It's usually a month of drifting, with Jeff home & now Sam in the mix too, but I set out routines for 'me' and I stuck to them.

But then September happened, a week in Corfu with Sophie, back to work in the gallery. October & gallery/ exam work and a few days in Cornwall, followed by half term and a trip to Lisbon. November is a birthday month with lots of jolly's/celebrations and then bang, it was December, 5 days in Italy followed by all the festivities.

So with the start of a new year, I draw a line on the past few months and move back to August (my August intentions) and will set up and commit to the routines that had started to make a difference.

Getting up at the same time every morning
Drinking a glass of water first thing
Stepping outside, awaken my circadian rhythm
No screens or coffee for the first hour
Doing my weights workout before I showered
Having breakfast of Greek yogurt, berries, flaxseed and walnuts
Limiting my coffee, introducing an afternoon mint tea
Staying hydrated with water
Eating fibre, protein, good fats meals
Walking after eating
No snacking, just three meals
Eating in a 8-10 hour window.
Same bed time every day
No screen time for the last hour
Reading every night

The menopause is killing me! 

I have recently changed my HRT due to an episode of bleeding (all investigations are clear) but the dosage still isn't right, so first off a visit to the Dr's to get things sorted.

I got on the scales this morning and I weigh just a pound heavier than this time last year, but I feel 10 stone heavier!! I don't ache as much (something is working, one of the many supplements I take) but I feel tired, I feel 'heavy' I'm fed up of my eyes streaming, the new hot flashes and the fact that the night sweats have returned.

So this year is all about 'ME'. 

Feeling better, feeling healthier, feeling like the old me!! Its not about being thinner, although a few pounds off would be most welcome, but about feeling energised and happier in myself

 'CONSISTENCY'

One thing I did set out to do last year and is something I do want to continue with this year, is reading. Such a simple thing, but one I have found really challenging to do over the past few years. My concentration and ability to remember what I had read, made reading a no go area. Thankfully, I have settled into a better routine and it's something I will actively keep doing in 2026.

I want to continue listening to my podcasts, keeping myself best informed about health and well being.

 I will continue to support musical theatre, with 7 shows already booked in for the year ahead.

I MIGHT even try and learn a little Italian (no promises) 

Whatever the year ahead brings, I hope it's one of good health and happiness xx