2020 in review: 12 things I learnt this year

I didn't write a blog post about the things I wanted to do, see and achieve in 2020 - mainly because this time last year my blog was on a lengthy and unintended hiatus. But it doesn't matter, because 2020 was shot to pieces in its early stages, barely out of the starting blocks before it crumbled. That's not to say I didn't have plans for this year - buying a house, a Christmas trip to New York, and a weekend away in Liverpool were floating around somewhere in my mind - I just hadn't articulated them on paper, as it were.

Needless to say, none of those things happened, but I seem to have come through 2020 fairly unscathed nonetheless. I'm beyond grateful that (touch wood) none of my friends or family have been taken seriously ill with Covid, I'm grateful to still have a job (for now), and I'm thankful to still be fairly financially secure. I've even managed to wiggle a few positives out of the nine months I've spent at home on furlough. Here are a few things I've learnt in 2020:

Everything happens for a reason 

If things had gone to plan (by which I mean, if I'd saved a bit harder, and embraced the terrifying, grown-up world of mortgages a bit sooner), I might have bought a house or flat and been living in it by the time the dreaded virus struck. That would have left me living alone in a single person household throughout the various lockdowns, and even more worrying, I would have been responsible for a mortgage at a time when job security isn't guaranteed. Thank goodness for procrastinating, eh?

I love my job 

'On assignment' at ZSL London Zoo back in 2016. Working at the zoo for a day made a change from the days when I used to... work at the zoo.

That's never been a secret, but it's never been more obvious than this year, when I've been unable to do it, and there's no guarantee when or if I'll be able to do it again. I really hope that one day soon I'll be out munching my way through afternoon tea, dangling off buildings and going behind the scenes at museums and zoos... all in the name of journalism, of course.

It really is now or never 

I'm very much a 'one day' person, as in 'one day I'll eat in that restaurant/visit that museum/ take that day trip'. This year, as I've watched the restaurants, cafes, museums, bars and theatre shows on my 'one day' list shut, some permanently, I'm kicking myself wishing I'd visited them when I had the chance. So, when the world reopens again, I hope to be more of a 'today' person than a 'one day' person. 

Life's more fun when you're not influenced by other people 

I love all things colourful, the brighter the better, particularly when it comes to clothes. But once you pass the age of 11, going all out wearing rainbow jumpers and stripy shoes isn't always considered appropriate. I haven't bought that many new clothes this year, for obvious reasons, but the ones I have bought, have been purchased (online) because I like them, rather than because I've got somewhere particular to wear them. The results? A pink coat, yellow sandals, and a rainbow jumper, all of which make me incredibly happy, even if they don't make for a fash pack-approved outfit.  Once all this is over, if you see me on the street dressed like Iris Apfel's less stylish grandaughter, just mind your business.

I'll never write a novel 

The idea that everyone has a novel inside them is an appealing one, but having spent the last nine months at home without writing a single sentence of mine, I've made my peace with the fact that inside is where it's staying.

You don't always react to situations as you think you will

Take reading. My extensive reading habit is well-known among my family, friends and colleagues. On a beach holiday, I average a book a day, so my suitcase is half clothes, half books. If you'd told me this time last year that I'd have to stay at home for 9+ months, no work, no travel, I'd have told you that there aren't enough books in the world to keep me occupied for that long. In reality, I've read far fewer books this year than I do in a normal year - partly because I used to read a lot on my now-defunct commute, and partly because it's really damn hard to concentrate on a novel when the world is crumbling around you and you're trying to predict which stage of the apocalypse will arrive next.

It wasn't a lack of time that was stopping me doing things

You know the sort of things... learning a language, starting a business, training for a marathon. When you're sat on a train day in, day out, staring into the back gardens of suburbia due to yet another delay at London Bridge, your mind wanders to all the things you'd do if only you had the time. How much richer would your life be if you could just have a couple of weeks to yourself, to make a start on planting your herb garden and taking up pottery. Spoiler alert kiddies: given all the time in the world, you still won't do those things - it's not a lack of time that's stopping you, it's a lack of motivation.

Our lifestyles are so unnatural

Explanation time: I've always had this theory - influenced, I think, by my four-hour round commute - that humans would be a lot healthier if they led a lifestyle where they could eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, and sleep when tired, rather than having our schedules governed by long commutes and over-running meetings. Of course, I never thought I'd be able to actually test this theory out... until 2020.

Now, rather than being rudely awakened by my alarm at 6.30am and forcing breakfast down before heading to work, and arriving home at 7.30pm absolutely starving, I find I wake up naturally at about 7am, spend a few minutes lazing before getting out of bed. Most of the time, I don't eat breakfast until between 9 and 10, because that's when I'm hungry, and then have a light lunch and earlier dinner. I find I'm eating less, and eating when I need to, and sleeping better because of a more regular schedule (read: I never leave the house). I'm hoping that some of this will stay true when things get back to normal, as our company has made the decision that working from home will be permanent.

Some of the things we do are really disgusting

Traffic light buttons and the buttons on ATMs were some of the first things that people started to talk about as actually quite filthy when the pandemic struck. But the one that I've really thought about is envelopes. The idea of licking an envelope, which you then give to someone for them to open with their hands, is something I've never thought about before, but in the context of Covid, is disgusting. If you got a Christmas card from me this year and wondered why I'd used sellotape and stickers to seal the envelope, there's your answer, and it's something I will be sticking to going forward. 

Next day hair IS better

Friends, hairdressers and magazine articles have always claimed that your hair looks better and is easier to style the day AFTER you wash it. I've never agreed, until this year. Perhaps it's just that I've had nothing better to do, perhaps it's the lack of outside factors such as pollution, or perhaps it's that I've been able to wash my hair when it needs it, rather than when I have time, but I've noticed that actually, it's true. Just one of the finer details I've had the time to notice this year.

I could never live abroad 

Not that I had any plans to, but hearing stories of people stranded away from home, friends and family for months at a time this year has confirmed what I always suspected - the nomadic lifestyle isn't for me.

The old ones are the best 

What was I doing between 2000-2007 to miss this gem the first time round?

I'm talking about TV shows here. Not entirely sure what I was doing for most of my childhood/teenage years (homework, probably), but several magnificent shows seem to have passed me right by. Thanks to the wonders of Netflix, I've spent 2020 educating myself on the wonders of Gilmore Girls, the bitchiness of Gossip Girl, and the downright 90s-ness of Dawson's Creek - so I finally understand the cultural references and GIFs you've all been throwing around for years.

Despite the challenges of this year and the fact that it didn't go remotely to plan, there are a few things I'm proud to have accomplished.

I was thrilled that my photo was chosen to feature on the cover of a brochure promoting businesses in my local area when they reopened after the first lockdown. I've always enjoyed photography as a hobby and would love to see my photos featured in other publications.

Image: acprint_

I'm also rather pleased that I've found the time and motivation to restart this blog, even if things to write about have been slim on the ground. I hope to be bringing you more travel dispatches and afternoon tea reviews sometime in 2021, but thanks for sticking around to celebrate the 10th anniversary in the mean time.

Walking and photography are two things I've enjoyed a lot in 2020. I've always loved photography, but in recent years it's become very much a Work Thing, so it's been a refreshing change to take photos of the things I want to, and not having to worry about simultaneously photographing, filming, and Instagramming from the work account (I dread the day my company adopts TikTok...). As for walking, it's something I've always done, but in recent years it's been a necessity to get me from A to B, rather than something done for pleasure. Discovering routes, footpaths and fields close to my house and watching them change through the seasons has been one of my highlights of 2020, and stumbling across a Christmas tree farm which I never knew existed was a fantastic treat.

Here's hoping this time next year, we'll all have been together in person, made up for lost time and cancelled adventures, and be ready to see in 2022 at a proper New Year's Eve.

The whole picture: December 2020

What I've done and where I've been in December

I think I may have hit a new record this month, in terms of least distance strayed from my home, thanks to local Covid restrictions (Tier 4, since you asked). I've become very familiar with the walking route between Tonbridge Castle and my house, and have spent many a morning taking my camera out and snapping photos of the local area, just for a reason to get out and about. Nonetheless, one of the things I've enjoyed most this year is watching my local area change through the seasons, rather than whizzing through it on my to/from the station, and missing the subtleties. 

Many of my friends and family received homemade Christmas cards this year, as being on furlough meant I had the time to get crafty. Crafting is something that I often put off doing, as it's a lot of effort to get my materials and equipment out, but once I begin, I love getting creative while watching a Christmas film or two.

Thankfully, our Christmas plans didn't involve anyone outside of our household, so we weren't affected by the last minute rule changes, though anyone who was affected has my full sympathy.

What I've eaten in December

It seems mad that in December, a month normally full of feasting, nights out and family meals, I haven't been in a single restaurant, bar or pub. My eating out has been restricted to takeaway options, and I've become very familiar with Finch House, a coffee shop in Tonbridge which does fantastic gingerbread lattes at Christmas.

There's also a new addition to the local coffee shop scene - Ridings opened in Hildenborough recently, and it'll be a lovely cafe once it's allowed to open properly. So far though, it's been take away only, so I've developed a weekly ritual of trekking across muddy fields to collect a takeaway hot chocolate, which I enjoy on the walk back home.

What I've been watching in December

The Holidate on Netflix

Films

I began the month making my way through the torrent of Christmas films available on Netflix (seriously, how do they churn them out so fast?). As you might expect, they all blurred into one cheesy, snowy, fairy light-bedecked blur, but the one that did stand out was The Holidate. It was as predictable as rom-coms always are, but slightly less twee than the other festive offerings. 

Outside of the Christmas deluge, I watched:

• Seven Pounds - darker than I expected, and pleasingly unpredictable, though sometimes hard to follow.
• Naledi - an easy-watch documentary about an orphaned baby elephant and her fight for survival in an African sanctuary. Probably too mushy for some, but I love all things wildlife.
• Saint Judy - A gripping biographical film about an American lawyer who took on an immigration case which changed asylum law in the country.
• A Dog's Way Home - Our choice for an easy Boxing Day watch, about a dog trekking 400 miles across America back to her home. It drags a bit in the middle, but if you love animal films, it's worth a watch.

TV shows

The main show I've been binging throughout December is Dawson's Creek. I was a bit too young to watch it the first time around, so I've never seen it, and I'm enjoying having something slow-paced and calming to dip into when the madness of the real world all gets a bit much. The characters' intense self-awareness grates at times, and the fashion is VERY '90s, but I enjoy a will-they-won't-they storyline as much as the next person.

What I've been reading in December

• The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain - I picked this one up after enjoying Kiss River by the same author last month, and was pleased to find I liked this one even more. It's written in such a way as to make the piecing together of one family's past very enjoyable for the reader, and is rather hard to put down.
• Believe In Me by Susan Lewis - Another one which I picked up because I've enjoyed previous books by the same author. I found it disappointingly slow-paced to begin with, compared to the others I've read, but after persevering, it became enjoyable. On the downside, I only really cared about a couple of the characters, and had little empathy for the others.
• The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jeffries - I usually find books set in both a different culture and a different time period quite difficult to get stuck into, but this one clicked straight away. The character of Louisa is immediately likeable, and the mysteries left behind by her husband after his death are very intriguing. I won't give too much away, but if you want to escape the drudgery of the English winter, this would be a good place to start.
• Secrets of a Happy Marriage by Cathy Kelly - As December ends, I'm part way through this one, having struggled to keep track of all of the characters and their relationships with each other in the first few chapters. So far it's putting me in mind of Marian Keyes' work, so if you're a fan of her books, give this one a try.

What's next?

As always this year, no big plans. At time of writing, two vaccines have been approved for use in the UK, so there is hope on the horizon. However, I suspect we'll be going into a full UK lockdown in the meantime. I do have a crafting project I want to work on in January (watch this space) and hope to find time for plenty of reading and walking too.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with my latest adventures.

See also - what I got up to in:

• November 2020: Scarecrows and Christmas lights.
• October 2020: London, baby!
• September 2020: Seals, beach huts and ice cream.
• August 2020: Cream tea, rooftop jaunts and sunflowers.
• July 2020: Castles, wildflowers, and a return to blogging.

The whole picture: November 2020

What I've done in November

Along with the rest of England, I've been back in lockdown for most of November, so excitement has been somewhat limited. Plans to return to work part-time were thwarted by the announcement of the new lockdown, so furlough continues.

Unexpectedly finding time on my hands pushed me into buying a new camera after my old one broke a couple of months go. I had planned to wait until the Black Friday sales, but I was spending so much time out walking among the autumn leaves, frustrated at being unable to photograph their colours, that I bit the bullet early - and somewhat spontaneously, at least for me - and splashed out. No regrets.

Being a creature of habit, I've really struggled with not having a routine over the past few months, and one of the ways I've rectified that has been taking morning walks. A couple of times a week, I'll wander into town and get a takeaway coffee, then head up to the hill in the grounds of Tonbridge Castle and enjoy or photograph the view, before walking home and starting my day. I love seeing the town laid out below me, and find it fascinating to see how the view is changing day by day, as the leaves fall off the trees, and Tonbridge Park inevitably floods.

Where I've been in November

By my estimation, I haven't strayed any further than about 9 miles from home this month, thanks to that aforementioned lockdown. I think I've only filled my car with petrol twice this year, for which my bank balance is very grateful.

The month began with a wander around the Bidborough Scarecrow Trail with a friend, a couple of days before the lockdown kicked in. Bidborough is one of my favourite Kent villages (though the steep house prices mean I'm forever destined to be a visitor rather than a resident, despite my ardent wishes...) and it looked even better with all manner of scarecrows adorning people's gardens and drives.

I ended the month with a 'big night out' at Hever Castle's winter lights trail - literally, the biggest night out I've had since February. A friend and her son were due to join me, but the new restrictions ruled out those plans so I went alone. This year's theme is Peter Pan, with London landmarks recreated in miniature, against a backdrop of psychedelically illuminated trees. The castle building itself is floodlit, and other installations include a light tunnel and a towering Christmas tree. You can read more about it and see photos on this blog post.

What I've eaten in November

To my shock, I don't appear to have taken a single food photo in November (#TerribleBlogger). Eating out has been non-existent, and general cooking/baking fatigue has set in (though I do intend to make a big festive baking comeback for Christmas!). I did whip up a spectacular mushroom and bacon macaroni cheese. But my most adventurous culinary outings have been my mission to find the best (takeaway) gingerbread latte available in my local area. Pleased to announce that, after some very indepth and considered research, the winner is Finch House in Tonbridge High Street, which has been open for takeaway throughout, so I've been going back a couple of times a week to get my fill. Support local and all that.

What I've been watching in November

Cold, dark days + lockdown = me hitting Netflix HARD this month.

TV Shows

• The Crown - Obviously, series of the month, which everyone was talking about. We're in the Diana years now, which is still a bit before my time (I was only 6 when she died) so I don't really remember much about her from the media at the time. However - and I hesitate to admit this as I know I'm largely alone in saying it  - I didn't really find her likeable in this particular portrayal. The acting is fantastic, and the Royal Family didn't exactly come across well either, but I didn't find myself warming to Diana. That said, I subsequently fell down a rabbit hole of all of the Diana/Royal Family documentaries on Netflix, which made for interesting viewing.
• Designated Survivor - Watching this gripping American political thriller while the whole Trump-Biden election debacle was going on in Washington IRL was... an experience. I raced through the first series, and made headway on the second one before deciding to take a break. I'll get back to it one day.
• Dash & Lily - I saw a few people talking this one up on Twitter and liked the look of the trailer, so decided to give it a go. The opening episode contains many of my favourite things (a bookshops, New York, Christmas, snow, ice skating...), and I do love a rom-com. I'm three episodes in and enjoying it so far, albeit somewhat cheesy. I'll probably pick it up again when December's back in full swing and I'm feeling more festive.

Films

My Octopus Teacher - Not going to lie guys, really don't see what the fuss was about this one. Yeah, it's a nice story, but David Attenborough would have told it in a tenth of the time, with better camera work and narration.

The Healer - A relaxing, easy and moving watch, though without giving the plot away, it strays a bit too far into fantasy territory for my liking. 

Red Joan - Based on the true story of a young British scientist who worked as a spy for the KGB. An interesting plot, but I didn't really find her reasons for doing what she did all that compelling. 

True Heart - A very young Kirsten Dunst finds herself and her twin brother lost in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. A bit slow-paced, and very dated for something that's only 20 years old, but some spectacular scenery to be seen.

Enola Holmes - This story of Sherlock Holmes's younger sister was highly recommended when it was released. I found the whole story of a sheltered 19th century teenager solving a mystery in London a bit far-fetched, though it'd be a good one to watch as a family, with older children. 

First Man - For a film that's almost 2.5 hours long, I had hoped for a bit more detail in this dramatised biography of Neil Armstrong. There's plenty of information about his training and missions, but I was disappointed that it didn't really show much about what he was like as a person. 

Life of the Party - Anything with Melissa McCarthy is bound to be a hit, and while the story of a middle-aged woman attending college with her daughter is a bit of a stretch, it's an easy, feel-good watch.

Christmas With The Coopers - Nothing too deep here, just a festive, family story. There's so much going on, it's hard to feel an affiliation with one particular character or storyline, but it's ideal for putting on in the background while you're wrapping Christmas presents.

Midnight at the Magnolia - Predictable, yes. Cheesy, yes - but not unwatchably so. If you're into romcoms and easy-watch Christmas films, give this Chicago-set story of two lifelong friends a go.

What I've been reading in November

• Grown Ups by Marian Keyes - I bought this one at the start of lockdown and had been saving it for a 'special occasion' as her books have never let me down before. But as it became clear there would be no 'special occasions' in 2020, I cracked it open this month. I'm usually of the opinion that any book requiring a family tree printed at the start to help you keep track of the characters is probably not worth persevering with, and it did take a while to get all of the characters straightened out in my mind, but it turned out to be worth it in the end, sprinkled with Keyes' signature sparkling wit and fantastic dialogue throughout. 600+ pages though - you've been warned!
• Kiss River by Diane Chamberlain - the title sounds like a mushy, cheesy romance novel, but it's not. It's the story of one woman's obsession with a broken lighthouse, the reason for her obsession revealed slowly as the novel progresses. There are no sudden twists, but it's a compelling read. It was only once I finished reading it that I realised it's the second book in a trilogy. It makes perfect sense as a standalone novel, but I wish I'd known before.
• The Whaleboat House by Mark Mills - is what I'm reading now. The opening few pages contain some very indepth and specialist fishing descriptions, which might put some people off. I persevered and Moby Dick has morphed into a Great Gatsby-esque situation - I'll let you know next month how I get on.

What's next?

As of 2 December, the area I live in will be in Tier 3, so it's looking like a quiet Christmas. I plan to continue reading, crafting, baking, walking and photographing my way through the rest of 2020.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with my latest adventures.

See also - what I got up to in:

• October 2020: London, baby!
• September 2020: Seals, beach huts and ice cream.
• August 2020: Cream tea, rooftop jaunts and sunflowers.
• July 2020: Castles, wildflowers, and a return to blogging.

Hever Castle Christmas Light Trail 2020: In Photos

If you know me even slightly, you know how much I love a light festival. All year, my dread for the darkening nights is balanced with eagerness to see whichever light and illumination trails are promised for the upcoming festive season. Christmas at Kew is a perennial favourite of mine - it's always so well executed, with displays to make even the most curmudgeonly of adults gasp in delight.

But thanks to the hellfire that is 2020, I won't be going to Christmas at Kew this year, and I'm devastated. The event is going ahead for anyone that fancies it, but I can't justify making the journey into London to see it - particularly as my local area is going into Tier 3 when the current lockdown ends.

Instead, I booked a ticket to the Christmas light trail at Hever Castle, a venue much closer to my home, and accessible by car. As you'd expect, it's a smaller affair than Christmas at Kew, and is aimed more towards the kiddies, but I take my kicks where I can this year. 

Several aspects of the extensive grounds are included in the trail. The Loggia terrace overlooking the lake, and the walls of several of the formal gardens, are floodlit in ever-changing colours. Hanging disco balls add a fun twist to some of the arches, and neon poles light a winding trail through the gardens.

Instagram's bound to be awash with pictures of the long light tunnel, a great alternative use for trellises which are covered in colourful flowers in the summer. The Peter Pan theme comes into play halfway around the trail, when mini models of London landmarks lead visitors into Neverland, with its Tinkerbell projection, and pirate ship, and Lost Boys. The trail winds cleverly around to give visitors a full-frontal view of the castle itself in its floodlit finery.

Directly opposite the castle itself, a flashing arched light tunnel draws plenty of attention. Walk across it to get a closer look at the towering Christmas tree, plus flashing orbs on the lawn. 

My favourite installation, and one that was getting plenty of attention when I visited, was the strings of lights hung above the Half Moon Pond in a web effect. The bulbs flashed in an ever-changing sequence of colours and lights, reflected in the still, dark water below for double the effect.

There are two entrances to the trail, which helps to keep things moving. I booked for 4pm on a Sunday and was impressed with how uncrowded it was - Hever have clearly had to limit ticket numbers to comply with social distancing, and it really felt safe and enjoyable. 

There are a few bottleneck areas, such as the bridge outside the main castle entrance, but as long as you're willing to be patient and wait for crowds to clear, it's easy to complete the whole trail at a comfortable distance from other visitors. 

One questionable aspect was how poorly lit some of the waterside areas are - in almost pitch black, it would be easy for an excited child or distracted adult to step straight into the moat, river or pond, not realising that solid ground has ended.

But as long as you keep your wits about you, Christmas at Hever offers a safe and enjoyable night out this winter - and a great way to support a local venue which has seen its revenue take a hit this year.

Although Hever Castle & Gardens is in Tier 3 when lockdown ends, the Christmas trail is outside, so can continue. See the website for further details and to book tickets.