Thanks for a great year!

It might come as no surprise to you to find that my most popular posts this year were my walks.  Along the shore came out marginally ahead, and I only have to look at the blue sky and shimmering sea to want to be transported back there myself.

Could anywhere be more different from the Algarve than Fountains Abbey, in Yorkshire?  But I did have a blue sky day, again.  And it WAS beautiful!

But I was delighted that my personal favourite was popular too.  The Village of Giverny was very special to me because I spent my Silver Wedding anniversary there. (with a certain other someone too, of course!)  I’d wanted to visit for many years, and it totally did not disappoint.

Isn't this perfection?

Isn’t this perfection?

Monet’s garden at Giverny was one of the most enchanting places I have ever been.  How about you?  What was the highlight of your year?

I don’t have much of a plan in place for next year, but I’m pretty sure that I’ll still be out and about walking.  And you are all more than welcome to join me.  We’ll stop and have a cuppa and a chat somewhere, won’t we?

I really just wanted to thank you all for making this such a happy year of blogging for me.  I look at the world differently when I know that I’m going to be sharing it with you.  Wishing you all a New Year full of love and kindness.

110 comments

  3. Keep on walking, Jo! It keeps you young and it leaves us in awe with your stunning photos! By the way, your spotlight post on my blog this past summer was my top post of 2014 according to WP stats. Thank you again for participating…people follow you everywhere! We love you! Happy New Year! xo

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    1. Bless you, Jill! You must be my kindest commenter- that is for sure 🙂 What an honour! But it couldn’t have happened without all of your hard work.
      I hope 2015 is kind to you and yours. Sending hugs across the miles 🙂

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  5. I remember these posts Jo – and I have loved every one of your posts this year, especially the walks; you have introduced me to so many different (and familiar) places that I sometimes wonder whether I should return to my northern roots. But then I see Tavira, and sigh…

    Thank you for being one of my top commenters on both my blogs pipped by a squeak by Sherri and Beetleypete on the travel blog and Sarah and Meg on the flowers. I’m wondering whether I should just combine them, but then I think the flower one is sort of special and hopefully, one day soon, is where I shall record the growth of my own garden.

    I don’t celebrate the NY any more than I do Christmas these days, and in all probability I shall be in bed before midnight, but I will toast all the new friends that I have met this year and celebrate the friendship of the blogging community. Have a good year Jo, with good health and happiness and safe journeys. I look forward to walking by your side 😉
    Jude xx

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    1. Jude, that’s beautiful! Thank you so much! You are, in fact, my top commenter, followed by Paula. I love it when you come to the blog. I had the long face tonight because we have nothing planned for tomorrow and I do like some kind of hoorah to the end of the year, no matter how small. We sometimes go to Durham, even if only for a teatime meal. Then I posted this (which I wasn’t going to bother over) and the response has been amazing. Smiling ear to ear! I shall await your end of year.(s) Thanks for being a lovely friend. 🙂

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      1. Well I think one thing WE must do is to meet up somewhere. It seems crazy that I have met two Aussie bloggers and not one of my English friends! What do you think?

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    2. I think we’ll have to make it happen 🙂 But actually, I’m quite shy about these blogging ‘meet ups’. I’d love to be the happy extrovert who appears on this blog. Hugs in advance, Jude 🙂

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      1. Well, I was thinking of a stroll along a beach somewhere followed by a cuppa and cake and putting the world to rights. Just need to decide on which beach!

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  7. Very much looking forward to tagging along on your walks again, Jo. Sometimes it’s the memories, sometimes it’s something to add to the bucket list, sometimes it’s just a handy distraction from the whirlwind in my life. I’ve got my walking shoes ready. Have a fabulous 2015!

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    2. Reminds us it’s good to be alive, Gilly! And it is, isn’t it? My Walk for Christine was very high on the list too. First Christmas for Stuart. How sad! And all those poor families in Indonesia. We have so much to be thankful for, Gilly. I feel ashamed when I grump.

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      1. Christine’s passing has had a big impact on my way of being Jo, she lived each moment mindfully. It’s a way of being I aspire to but a difficult path to follow . . . there’s so much sorrow in the world.

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    1. I just made my mind up and did it, Paula 🙂 You were second on my list of commenters so hugs for that (it will be all the conversations we had about Portuguese! Oops- better get back to it soon 😦 ) See you in B & W tomorrow.

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      1. I was your second commenter? It can’t be for Portuguese :D. Great to hear that I was your 2nd and you were my 2nd. The same thing happened with CG I was his first and he was mine. I like when the things are just and reciprocate 😀 I don’t want to see sad faces regarding language learning. Nao senhora! 😀

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    1. It’s been a good, good year, Leanne. Hoping 2015 can live up to it 🙂 Many thanks for taking the time to come here. You have a monumental blog and I appreciate your time. Happy 2015 to you! 🙂

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    1. Viv, thank you for that 🙂 It’s a lot of pleasure for me too. I can’t imagine what I did before blogging (probably useful things 😦 ) The Hutts Lakes post was beautiful, wasn’t it? Happy New Year to you all!

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing all your lovely walks with us, Jo! It’s been great to stroll along with you under blue skies!

    You’ll be happy to know I finally received your Christmas card yesterday! Thank you so much for making such an effort on my behalf. It added a lot of cheer to my day.

    Happy New Year to you too! Hugs xxx

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      1. Haha! Youre so funny, Jo. I can just picture your yee-haa dance. 😊 We just had a dinner party with all the teachers last night and lots of wine was flowing so it was great fun! My friend Erica and i invited anyone and everyone to a game night at her house for NYE, but we haven’t had any rsvps yet. If no one comes, I guess it will just be the two of us. Either way, we’ll make it fun, I hope!

        Love and hugs! xxx

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  16. I loved them too dear Johanna, you are amazing. Thank you for sharing all these beautiful photographs, stories, with us. Happy New Year, Blessing and Happiness with your family, Love, nia

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  18. I loved your walks Jo, so no surprises there. Giverny was one of my faves and I’m hoping to get there next year, thanks to your inspiration. I’m just walking on writing up a couple of my recent walks so I can join in next year. See you in the New Year. Have a good one!

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