It is that post Christmas/pre New Year time for reflection, a chance to look back over my blogs from the last twelve months and to begin to think about next year’s posts…
It has a been a full year and I have visited lot of places, some old, some new, some great gardens, interesting houses, galleries and museums.
Coleton Fishacre in Devon is an old favourite of mine!
Poppies at Garden House Buckland Monochorum Devon
Curvaceous walls at the Garden House
I have walked for miles along the Thames path and through the streets of London and found history lurking around every corner.
Deserted street in the City
Unusual angles…the Shard and Southwark Cathedral
I have walked in the countryside and have found quaint sleepy villages, had the privilege of seeing some great views and of savouring some spectacular scenery.
Herefordshire countryside in Spring
Walking up on the South Downs
Sussex woodland floor; a carpet of bluebells
Still waters in Suffolk
I have found the quirky and surreal in the commonplace…I have so much to write about and share with you all!
An unusual hanging basket outside a Cornish fire station!
Sussex flint walls with added false teeth!
Bespectacled gargoyle! Chichester Cathedral
So to 2016…I think my first post next year will feature the Big Pit at Blaenafon in Wales. Given that Kellingley Colliery in Yorkshire, England’s last working deep coal mine closed for ever last week, it seems appropriate and a fitting epitaph to this once great industry, now lost forever.
The Big Pit Blaenafon Wales
I visit friends in West Worthing quite often and I have accumulated so many photographs of this part of Sussex that it seems time to put them together, so that may be my second post of 2016…
Windy seafront Worthing
I have a long overdue walk to write about…North Greenwich to Shad Thames…that was quite a walk but one packed full of interest at every turn!
The Dome from the Emirates Air Line
St Peter the great statue at Deptford creek
Limehouse from the South Bank…spot the Gormley figure walking on water!
Last September I was again in Southwold for a week’s holiday and my visits to Suffolk will be the subject of future blogs, including one on the Napoleonic Martello Towers which are a feature of the coastline.
Southwold Panorama
Martello Tower Suffolk
Also a trip to the coastal village of Bardsey will feature with its strange man made Pulhamite cliff gardens.
I may write a piece on the sculptures of Antony Gormley, as this year I encountered two of his figures which were commissioned to celebrate 50 Years of the Landmark Trust.
I have still not written about the Nicholas Hawksmoor churches in London, nor about Postmans Park and George Watts…so perhaps these will finally get written, plus of course a few others from places I plan to visit…
Hawksmoor’s smallest and only City church, St Mary Woolnoth
A quiet corner of Postmans Park
I have posted some 16 blogs this year and I have received some great comments not only from family and friends, but also from complete strangers from around the world. I am touched that these people have come across my words and images online and have been kind enough to take a moment to connect with me.
My blogs have also put me in touch with other bloggers who now regularly correspond with me. Some of my new, virtual friends include…
Dan the very knowledgable and helpful Frustrated Gardener who gardens in London and Kent http://frustratedgardener.com/
David of A London Inheritance who revisits the places from his father’s archive photos and brings them up to date http://alondoninheritance.com
Isobel a London Blue Badge tourist guide and owner of an adorable ginger cat called Master Bosun who has his own Instagram presence! http://londonbyguide.wordpress.com https://isobelandcat.wordpress.com/
Vivienne who explores the beauty in the flora and fauna of her local patch in North London http://bugwomanlondon.com/
The enigma that is TheLadyTravels with her expert eye for the quirky and surreal http://www.theladytravels.com
As a result of my writing this year it has also been my good fortune to meet The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life http://spitalfieldslife.com at the Hands Around Norton Folgate event in July.
I also met the talented artist Paul Bommer http://paulbommer.bigcartel.com whose exhibition I visited in the Autumn and whose Huguenot tiled wall plaque was unveiled in Hanbury Street this year.
At the Spitalfields Open Gardens event I met Nigel the expert behind The Spitalfields Gardener https://www.facebook.com/thespitalfieldgardener http://www.thespitalfieldgardener.co.uk
Finally last month I met up with Candy the chronicler of Bradshaw’s London and gardener extraordinaire! http://londondiaryblog.wordpress.com and https://enthusiasticgardener.wordpress.com/author/candyblackham at the Sky Garden 20 Fenchurch Street.
Now I have written my new year “to do” list, the enormity of actually writing, researching and compiling these articles dawns…! I wish I could write a quick blog but I can’t, but I will begin the journey soon and hope that you will join me for the ride…
In the meantime, a Very Happy New Year to you all.
Away from the Drawing Board 
The best review of the year 2015 yet! And the best virtual experience of 2015 for me has certainly been e-meeting you Anne. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and fabulous photos with the world. They are an absolute joy and I cannot wait to see your 2016 blogs. Happy new blogging year x
Thank you TLT and many thanks for all of your comments throughout the year you are so kind!
What a varied and beautiful year you’ve had Anne! It’s been so good to follow some of it as you went along. Here’s to lots of enjoyable travels in 2016! Let me know when you’re coming down to West Worthing – it’s an easy train ride there for me, and it’d be great to meet up xx
Thank you! We go onwards and upwards into 2016! How nice to meet you and David – looking forward to the next time!
How the year has flown Anne! I can scarcely believe it. I am behind on my own round up of 2015 as my laptop has been in A&E on account of me blowing the memory up with too many photos. I pick it up tomorrow. You have set quite a standard with your splendid post. Coleton Fishacre is one of those gardens I’ve always wanted to visit but have never quite made it. Thanks for taking me there, virtually!
Hasn’t the year flown by! Glad you liked Coleton Fishacre image…I will send you some others to brighten up the year’s end! Thanks for all your comments!
So many wonderful new photographs that have not appeared before! A brilliant way to look back on an eventful year and to encourage all of us to do the same. Keep it up for the next twelve months. As you know my own activities will probably be curtailed for a while so I shall enjoy virtual visits from you through the wonders of this technology. Thank you Anne.
Dear Anne
I really do enjoy your blogs as you visit such interesting places, well places that certainly appeal to me. Also your photographs are dead good, real photographs and not just happy snaps, so everywhere looks its best. My favourite photo is the reflection of the little old church in the glass of a monster building. I do love the cat inclusions of course and all the gardens. What a lot of time and effort you put into it, along with your helper Sherpa Dave!
I look forward to anything you do next year
Seasonal greetings to you both
With love and thanks from Barbara
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Glad you are enjoying them Barbara! The little old church is Southwark cathedral and the glass monster aka the Shard!
What a great way to look back at 2015 Anne. You’ve had some amazing and interesting travels , some of which I have been privileged to be part of. Your photographs as ever are beautiful and bring to life your stories of places I have only visited through you. Thank you for sharing these experiences. I look forward to your 2016 blogs. Wishing you and David well in the New Year. Happy travelling. Janet.
I always enjoy reading your blogs Anne and viewing the superb photographs which compliment them. I have enjoyed visiting some of the places with you and David and your records remind me of these happy times. Additionally other items in your blogs take me to places I haven’t visited and provide much enjoyment. Thanks for all your efforts. I look forward to 2016 and many more of your blogs. Happy New Year to you and David.
What a lovely post, Anne! Fabulous photos, and you’ve had such an interesting year. I can’t wait to see what you get up to next year!
I am starting to think you are never at home! Love the still waters in Suffolk shot. Your pictures of London are almost spookily echos of mine. One of these days we shall find ourselves standing side by side with our cameras.
A very happy 2016 to you. Maybe we can meet up, and you can see MasterB in the fur!
That would be strange meeting up like that wouldn’t it? The Suffolk shot is a lovely one taken in September at Orford harbour. Thanks for all your comments
Wonderful , full of fascinating details and beautiful photographs. Thanks for sharing, there is so much around us that we miss.