There is no doubt about it: the year 2020 was really one for the books and there is so much about it that I will happily leave behind. But as I wave it a cheery goodbye, I pause to remind myself that it brought us opportunities for growth too – despite what we’re being programmed to believe by social media, it wasn’t all bad. I take stock at the end of a year that was for many, a year from hell: I have much to be thankful for. Following a total hip replacement in December 201

If you have missed me a bit on social media this week, I apologise. As you can imagine, it has been busy, but more than that, I have been trying to maintain focus on the important things and not get distracted by all of the beautiful images of other people’s families in my various feeds. This is such a special time of year, and this year, more than most, I want to make the most of time spent with my family. We have been watching the news with great interest: one eye on the ev

With the accumulation of years, I have found that December in particular can by trying and it seems to weigh on me a little more each year.

As we march ever closer to January, I’m still struggling to come to terms with the year we have had. If any of us had been told last December what was in store for us in the New Year, I really don’t think we would have believed it. So many changes and challenges have entered our everyday lives. More than that though, I don’t think I ever imagined that the simplest of things and those we take most for granted – like physically reaching out to another person, a visit to a coffe

During the summer, I diligently fed and watered what I had planted in my polytunnel: every day I was in there, sweating when it was particularly warm and feeling smug when the rain was hammering down on the plastic above me. I pruned the tomato plants, removed dead foliage and encouraged the buds to grow. In return for my care and uplifting chatter, we were delighted to pick cucumbers, courgettes, chillies, some aubergine, strawberries, beans and a greedy abundance of tomatoe