2023: My Year of Adventure

As I've said before, I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions - if there's something you want to change, I don't see the point in waiting for an arbitrary date on the calendar before you go about it.

What I do enjoy, though, is a good list to be ticked off throughout the year. It's something I've done in previous years, to varying levels of success, and it's something I'm doing in 2023, albeit with a slightly different approach this time around.

2023, I've decided, is going to be my Year Of Adventure.

Adventure is a subjective word, and I don't have any plans to trek through mountains or climb Kilimanjaro. I envisage my adventures to be a bit smaller (and cheaper!) closer to home, and they'll all be some sort of physical or adrenaline challenge. In the past I've ticked off skydiving, abseiling and white water rafting, so it probably won't be those particular activities again, but something along those lines. I won't be sharing my plans until after I've done them, as I don't want to jinx anything, but I will report back afterwards.

Basically, it's a way of making me do all the things I've gone "Oooh, I quite fancy trying that" to in the past, but have never quite got round to. A kick up the bum, if you will. 

Originally, the idea was to tackle one adventure per calendar month, but train strikes are already putting my January plans in jeopardy, and it looks like they'll continue. So instead, I'm going to try to tick off 12 adventurous things this year, but not necessarily one each month. 

Stick with me on this blog and follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see how I get on.

30 things to do before I turn 30: the results

This time last year, less than a month into furlough, and firmly invested in the national optimism/naivety that All This would be over by summer, I wrote a list of 30 things I wanted to do in the year before I turned 30. 

A year later, I'm staring down a 6-day barrel at 30, so it's time to look back and see how I got on. Before I begin, I should point out that the Covid restrictions lasted a lot longer than anyone anticipated, and are ongoing as I write this, which massively affected my ability to do... well, anything, really. 

1) Visit the flower fields in Amsterdam - No

As I write this, we're in peak tulip season... and it's against the law to leave the UK for a holiday. So no, I haven't made it to the flower fields this year. I'm hoping for spring 2022, if Eurostar has reinstated Amsterdam Centraal services by then, but if not, I've just discovered this alternative, much closer to home, which I hope to visit next year, whatever the international travel situation.

2) Go up the i360 Brighton - No

Technically, I could have ticked this one off last summer and autumn, when things reopened here in the UK. My thinking at the time was to wait a while to get the first rush out of the way, and before I knew it, we were back in lockdown again. A classic case of carpe diem and all that jazz. 

3) Visit Hampton Court Palace - No

See 2.

4) Bake a rainbow cake - No

A slice of rainbow cake from the Hummingbird Bakery

The intrinsic beauty of rainbow cakes, aside from their colour, is the size of them. By virtue of being constructed from several different sponge layers, they tend to be towering, sugary monoliths. Making such a huge cake at a time when there were only two people to eat it has seemed silly. Once we're able to see more people again, I'll make a rainbow cake to share. In the mean time, I've made do with a few rainbow cupcakes, to test out my new food colourings.

5) See &Juliet in the West End - No

Alas, theatres haven't yet reopened, and this show doesn't return until September 2021. It's still on my list though.

6) Tour the Harry Potter Studios in Hertfordshire - No

See 2 and 3.

7) Explore Leeds Castle - No

See 2, 3 and 6.

8) Spend a weekend in Liverpool - No

Again, a weekend away in this country is something that I could have done last autumn, when things briefly reopened, but many restaurants, shops, museums and the like were still closed or operating shorter hours. I didn't see much point in travelling if it meant missing out on experiencing everything the place has to offer, so I've put this one on hold until later this year or next year.

9) Make an item of clothing - Sort of

This is an interesting one, in that this time last year I was really keen to learn how to make my own clothes, having been inspired by a couple of my friends whipping up their own tops and dresses on the sewing machine. Over the past 12 months, I've come to realise that making the clothes is neither my interest nor really my skill area - instead, I enjoy decorating and embellishing items, and leaving the structural integrity of the garment to others. Case in point, my hot air balloon denim jacket - I bought a cheap denim jacket online, then created and attached the decorations myself from scratch, and I absolutely love it. 

10) Visit New York (or at least, plan a trip) - No

The dream is to visit New York in the run up to Christmas, which wasn't an option last year. I'm playing it safe and not booking anything for this year either, but I've got my sights set on Christmas 2022. 

11) Swim in Pells Pools - No

At time of writing, it's almost 14 months since I even entered a swimming pool, which is very unsettling for someone who used to swim multiple times a week. While pools have reopened, there are still some restrictions, including no lockers and no showers, so I'm waiting until things are a bit more normal before resuming swimming.

12) Visit Disneyland Paris - No

As with New York, international travel hasn't really been an option in the last 12 months, but I still hope to do this in the next couple of years.

13) Visit the House of Dreams - Sort of

This south London quirk hasn't yet reopened since the first lockdown, but writing this has reminded me to check the website, and tickets for forthcoming open days are now available. I've booked for October, so although I've not actually been yet, it's in the works.

14) Witness a new light festival - YES

Christmas at Hever 2020

I was devastated to miss my beloved Christmas at Kew in 2020, but managed to slightly plug the light festival-shaped hole in my heart with a trip to Hever Castle's own take. Peter Pan was the theme, with miniature London landmarks illuminated, plus a couple of light tunnels and an illuminated fountain. 

15) See a play at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre - No

The summer 2021 line-up has been announced, but to be honest, there's nothing on there that really appeals to me. In recent years, 101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan have both been on the programme, so I'm going to hold out and hope for something along those lines next year.

16) Spend a night in a hostel - No

No. Also less inclined to try this one in future. Next.

17) Try a new hobby - YES

Phrases like 'ice skating' and 'rock climbing' were bandied around this time last year, but those sorts of activities have been largely off-limits ever since. I can't wait to go ice skating again, but in the mean time, I've taken up roller skating in an entirely-unserious manner. I don't have much in the way of skills just yet, but I'm learning, and have treated myself to the above jazzy skates.

Being stuck at home for a year has also meant I've picked up a needle and thread again, and rediscovered my love of embroidery. I've been chronicling some of my projects over on my new Instagram account.

18) Eat in The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason - No

A combination of restaurants being closed, and me not being in the vicinity of London has prevented me from ticking this one off, but it's still very firmly on my to-do list.

19) Go stargazing at the Royal Observatory - No

I've only been to London once in the last 14 months, and that was a whistle-stop tour around the area near my (ex-)office, for a brief meeting and to clear my desk before my company moved out. No touristing was done, so this one's still on my list.

20) Clear my bookshelf - No

I was so, so close to clearing one of the two shelves on my bookshelf... and then I saw my best friend for the first time in months. We're always swapping books and passing our old books on to each other, so she supplied me with enough reads to refill the shelf I'd almost emptied. Basically, I'm stuck in a never-ending cycle of book ownership, and I'm not too sad about it.

21) Wear more colour - YES

OK, 'wear' is pushing it, considering I've been living in leggings, tracksuit bottoms and hoodies for a year now. But I've definitely been more colour-forward in the few new garments that I've purchased this year. Case in point; two rainbow jumpers, a rainbow cardigan, a pink coat and yellow trainers. Now I just need an occasion to wear them outside my house...

22) See Cirque du Soleil - No

As far as I'm aware, this show hasn't resumed in London since the first lockdown. It looks like it's schedule to be at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2022, so all being well, I'll catch it then.

23) Visit the Kent coast - No

Again with the waiting until things had calmed down a bit, and then missing my opportunity. 

24) Restart this blog - YES

Since summer 2020, I've been posting my monthly updates again, and I've also written a few other posts. When things get back to normal, I hope to resume normal service - think afternoon tea reviews, travel updates and generally more life.

25) Book a Trek America trip - No

Sadly, Trek America was one of the first travel companies to fall victim to the pandemic, and it seized trading in summer 2020, so this is one that I won't ever be ticking off. However, some sort of American road trip remains at the top of my travel bucket list. Watch this space.

26) Splurge on a special treat - Sort of

Originally, a Mulberry handbag or Kate Spade clutch was what I had in mind for this item on my list. But a combination of barely setting foot in a shop, and having nowhere to wear a special item over the past 12 months has meant I'm not yet the owner of a pricey new investment handbag. I did, however, splurge on the above roller skates. They cost a fraction of the price of a handbag, but I still spent a few weeks debating whether to buy them before taking the plunge.

27) Plan a 30th birthday party - No

Well, unless you count a picnic with a very select group of friends, in my local park on a windy and rainy bank holiday Monday. On my 30th birthday, restrictions will mean that I'm only allowed to meet up to five other people, and it has to be outside. I didn't fancy a pub garden on a bank holiday weekend, so I've gone for the picnic option. What could possibly go wrong?

28-30) Come up with three more things for this list

Given that I ticked off very few of the existing items on this list, adding more didn't seem like a great idea.

The results

4 yes, 2 sort of and a whole lot of no. In my defence, that's largely due to the Covid restrictions going on for longer than anyone anticipated, but I also missed my chance to do a few things when restrictions were briefly relaxed last summer.

The whole picture: March 2021

Chiddingstone Castle in spring

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

As many people have said, March has seemed a very hopeful month. Here in England, schools reopened, and we've gradually been allowed to meet up with friends and family outdoors. Day to day, not a lot has changed for me, but I have met a friend for coffee in the park a couple of times.

I've also been venturing a little further afield, driving out to a local village to take some photos of the spring flowers, and to Chiddingstone Castle and village to catch the blossom in bloom. 

What I've been reading in March

I've been whizzing through books in March, mainly spurred on by Number 21 on this list, as my self-imposed deadline looms ever closer. Here's what I've been reading, and what I thought:

• The Zanzibar Wife by Deborah Rodriguez - A curiously named book, as it's the story of three different women from three very different backgrounds. It's very well-researched in terms of Oman and Zanzibar culture, and it's refreshing to see such a story told through female eyes. The characters are very well-developed, making for a gripping read.
• Francesca's Party by Patricia Scanlan - At almost 600 pages, I was anticipating this one to contain a lot of fluff and filler. In reality, not a single word is wasted, as Scanlan tells the story of a middle-aged woman who finds out her husband is having an affair, and proceeds to divorce him. Not an original story by any means, but it's told with an emotional depth which reduced me to tears.
• Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths - If I were to judge books by their covers, I'd never have picked this one up. Its dark colours suggest a blood-soaked, violent crime thriller. In reality, it's more about the detective work than the gore, following the case of two murdered children in 1950s Brighton. An enjoyable read, but the fact that I can't remember much of the plot just a few weeks later tells you all you need to know about how memorable it is.
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• Glass Houses by Sandra Howard -The only book I gave up on this month, Glass Houses is the story of a newly-appointed Cabinet Minister in the British Government who's having an affair. The author is the wife of Michael Howard, so presumably it's born from experience of living in the political world, but so many characters are introduced so quickly, keeping track becomes a real exercise in intellect, making reading it a chore rather than a pleasure.
• At My Mother's Knee and Other Low Joints by Paul O'Grady - O'Grady's cutting way with words has always been a source of amusement in our house, and I'm pleased to report that he translates well from screen to page. This autobiographical book is the story of his upbringing in Birkenhead, skilfully told so that each of the characters is really brought to life. Be warned though, this volume only takes him to the cusp of adulthood, ending on something of a cliffhanger... you'll have to make your way through several more tomes to get the full Lily Savage story.
• The Way We Were by Marcia Willett - An enjoyable easy read, about two friends who spend a summer together in early adulthood. The story then picks up a couple of decades later. A couple of the twists are extremely predictable, and the main plot point, about a valuable piece of art, is introduced in the first page, then almost completely ignored until it's crammed into the final few chapters, which is an odd way to structure it.
• Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson - Saba, a singer, and Dom, a military pilot, meet shortly before they're both sent out to Africa on postings during the second world war. As Saba adapts to life performing on military bases, and Dom takes to the skies again after a terrible crash, they cross paths every now and then. Some of the military detail is irrelevant to the average reader, and a few sections drag while others skimp on detail, but it's an enjoyable read.

• Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan - Like Francesca's Party (above), this is another long but very gripping novel by Scanlan. The first few chapters require concentration, as many of the residents of an apartment complex in Andalucía are introduced very quickly, but once you've got to grips with the characters, their lives are skilfully and compellingly interwoven until the very end. 
• Second Life by S. J. Watson - Less gripping than Watson's better-known novel, Before I Go To Sleep, Second Life is the story of a woman who tries to solve the mystery of her sister's sudden death in Paris. From the beginning, the decisions she makes are hard to understand, making for a far-fetched plot, and some of the storylines offer nothing to the conclusion, leaving the reader wondering why they were even mentioned. The action is crammed into the final few pages, with the ending left open to the reader's interpretation. An average read, but there are better thrillers out there.
• Alys, Always by Harriet Lane - With less than 10 pages left of this contemporary thriller, I was bracing myself for either a thrilling twist that would make it all worth while, or a complete disappointment that would render the whole novel a waste of reading time. Frances, the last person to speak to a woman dying in a car accident, becomes friendly with the woman's family after her death. It gradually becomes clear that she's got an ulterior motive, but writing the novel in first person, while not revealing any of her thoughts, plans or motives to the reader is an odd choice. Ultimately, those last 10 pages reveal nothing of interest, and I'm left wondering why I bothered.

What I've been watching in March

Ginny & Georgia - not the new Gilmore Girls, but worth watching.

• Ginny & Georgia - If anyone tells you this Netflix series is the new Gilmore Girls, don't believe them, or at least, don't go in expecting the cosiness of Luke's Diner. Sure, it's about a mother-daughter relationship, but it's also about drugs, sex, violence, vibrators... we're not in Stars Hollow any more. However, if you go in without any preconceptions, it's an absorbing, easy watchable teen drama series with well-rounded and intriguing characters. Fingers crossed for a second series to see how that ending turned out...
• Firefly Lane - This Netflix series follows the friendship of two women, with flashbacks allowing us to see them at three points in their lives - as teenagers, as young women in their first jobs, and now, in their forties. It's structured in such a literary way that it's no surprise to learn it was a book first. The series ending leaves a massive plot point unexplained, presumably to pave the way for a second series. Apparently the book does offer an explanation, so I'll be buying myself a copy as soon as there's room on my shelves. Beyond that, it's a really enjoyable show with compelling, strong characters and cleverly woven storylines.

Firefly Lane is a story of female friendship

• Behind Her Eyes - Back in 2017, when this novel was published, I remember telling everyone who would listen that it contained the best plot twist I'd ever read. Fast forward four years to the release of the Netflix series, and I was in the awkward situation of remembering enough about the book, but not so much that I could remember what happened. As I got stuck into the series, it came back to me, and although I prefer the book, it's definitely worth a watch if you're into slightly supernatural thrillers.
• Unforgotten - With the fourth series released, I thought it was time to catch up on this detective drama. A police team investigates historical murders, unravelling the stories behind bodies dating back decades. It's exactly the sort of drama I love - mysteries, clues, not too much gore, easy to follow. Spot on.
• Superstore - I'm most of the way through series 2 and I cannot decide whether I like this series, or really hate it. It feels a bit like one of those low budget American sitcoms that wound up in the off-peak slots on Channel 4 in the noughties - yet I can't stop watching. It follows the day-to-day lives of the employees of an American superstore, alternating between highly predictable and completely far-fetched storylines. Strong characters make for some good laughs.
• Life On Mars - I missed this one the first time around, but I remember it being a big show, so thought I'd give it a go. The first series was great, but I'm currently on the second series and it feels like it's being stretched out further than necessary. Fantastically witty script though. Moving on to Ashes to Ashes next.
• Book Smart - I know this was a hugely popular film when it came out, so I was excited when it came to Netflix... but I couldn't get through it. Half an hour in, with two highly unlikeable characters, I found myself bored enough to switch over to something else.

Book Smart - not for me

• Penguin Bloom - First of all, there are no penguins in this film. But other than that, it's a very sweet story of a family coming to terms with the mother's new disability, with the help of a feathered friend. Good for the soul.
• Bridget Jones - I went through a classic rom-com phase this month and watched a few old favourites, including the two Bridget Jones films. They have not aged well. She's a terrible person, many of the scenes grate painfully - how was this so popular once upon a time? Nice to see some retro shots of London though.
• Definitely Maybe - Ah, this is how a rom-com should be done. A sort of blueprint for How I Met Your Mother, this film portrays a father telling his daughter the story of how her parents met. Cute, soppy in all the right places, and predictable without being dull, it's a gold standard rom-com, exactly what the genre should look like.
• Stepmom - Sobfest central. I watched this film, about a mother with a terminal illness, struggling to accept her children's new stepmother, several years ago. Could it really have been as emotional as I remembered? Yes, yes it is. Beautiful, heartbreaking, emotional. 

Yes Day - less cheesy than you might expect

• Yes Day - One of Netflix's big releases this month, Yes Day is about a family who let the kids run the show for a day. Cue an ice cream challenge for breakfast, an unconventional visit to a car wash, and plenty of rollercoasters. Of course, family relationships change and heal against the backdrop of the day, but it never quite strays into cheesy territory. A joyous, family-friendly film that's easy to watch, and will probably stand the test of time and remain popular for years to come.
• Moxie - Everything that I thought Book Smart (above) was going to be, Moxie is about a high school student who anonymously publishes a zine calling out sexism in her school. She unintentionally creates a whole protest movement. A teen drama with far wider appeal than just teenagers, Moxie feels extremely relevant right now. 
• Little - Reverse 13 Going On 30 or Big, and you've basically got the plot of Little. A successful businesswoman and terrible human being, Jordan finds herself back in the body of a teenager, and predictably, is stuck there until she realises the error of her ways and learns to be a better person. There's nothing really to commend this film as worthy of your time. Some fantastic outfits though.

Juliet, Naked is a charming watch

• Juliet, Naked - Probably a little too twee for some tastes, Juliet Naked is set in an English seaside town, between Duncan, a man obsessed with singer Tucker Crowe, and his girlfriend Annie, who finds herself unintentionally befriending Crowe after the couple split. The soundtrack is decent, with a very catchy rendition of Waterloo Sunset, and Aussie Rose Byrne's Estuary English accent is charming. Actually, charming is the best way to describe the whole film - it's not pushing any boundaries, but it's a cute watch.
• Otherhood - I won't lie, for the first 10 minutes I was trying to work out why one of the faces was so familiar - turned out to be Lynette from Desperate Housewives. Three women, feeling abandoned by their adult sons when they forget Mother's Day, take a road trip to the city to pay them a surprise visit. Secrets come out, arguments are had... it's an interesting concept for a film, but crams too much in to allow the audience to feel any emotional connection to any of the storylines.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with my latest adventures (I should be so lucky).

Leigh village in spring

See also - what I got up to in:

• February 2021: Still not a lot going on
• January 2021: Not a lot going on
• December 2020: Sewing, mud and Christmas cards.
• 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.