Reflections on 2016

I get very excited about New Year and have deduced its because I’m an obsessive ‘finisher’. I love reflecting at the end of a year and then look forward to a new blank sheet of paper for the year ahead. I strangely prefer ‘even’ years too. So what did 2016 bring?

·         Sailor and Penny’s first time on a ferry when we visited Isle of Wight, cottage holiday in Cornwall which was beach filled, cottage holiday to Nortuumberland where Sailor and Penny visited Scotland for all of 30 seconds when we crossed the border, turned around and went South again. And then a first, Norwich cottage holiday for New Year.

·         Multiple afternoon teas – Fortnum and Mason has to be the best, then Betty Bumbles vintage tea rooms where we had fish finger sandwiches and Royal Horseguards hotel for Alex’s birthday.

·         Visiting our favourite country in the world for Ali’s birthday, Iceland.

·         More stalking the royals by visiting Kensington Palace, watching the Order of the Garter in Windsor Castle, Patrons Lunch and receiving one of the infamous picnic baskets where we ate in the rain, polo in Windsor and then the state opening of Parliament.

·         Seeing mum’s face when she found out that we were taking her on the Orient Express for her 60^th birthday.

·         Visiting Parliament twice, lunch in the Ivy, Duxford air museum and Scott Polar Research Centre.

·         Making every signature bake of the Great British Bake Off and entering my first and last cake competition. I can’t cope with the pressure.

·         I discovered my love of suffragettes and can’t stop reading about them.

·         Completed an Olympic Triathlon for my Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Challenge, and a starlight 10km raising money for a hospice.

·         Watching Cricket  at Lords and revisiting the Olympic Park for the first time since 2012 and watching the anniversary games.

·         Staging a street party for 100 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides to celebrate the Queen’s 90^th birthday. In return for sending cards, Her Majesty sent a letter to the Brownie Pack congratulating us on our 40^th birthday.

·         Mad’s and Erica had a wedding upgrade and we loved attending.

·         Brownie Wizard of Oz holiday, Christmas Brownie Holiday, Remembrance day parade, Christmas Craft day and Christingle.

·         And the most astonishing…Ellie and I winning the Civil Service Award for diversity and Inclusion. Something I will never ever forget and continues to be in shock.

A phenomenal 2016. Let’s see what 2017 brings.