2016 was indeed a very weird year. For some it was marred by tragedy, for some it will be remembered with love. We all watched in horror as the tragedies in Syria unfolded, many sobbed at the deaths of favoured pop stars, actors, musicians and the like, either cheered or reacted with fury at the result of Brexit, and millions watched amazed and not without trepidation as America elected Trump as their next president (I use the diminutive ‘p’ deliberately). So much has happened in 2016 it seems that it was a year of extremes.
For me personally it was a year of highs and more highs, of love and laughter and a few tears. These were the highlights of my 2016
January:
January 2016
My daughter and I saw in 2016 at the London Eye and then went for waffles and cream at Caffe Concerto in London
Saw the amazing Les Lumineoles in London
February:
February 2016
I got my citizenship – my daughter attended the ceremony with me at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone.
Managed my very first ‘proper’ #selfie LOL
Got arty with my photography
March:
March 2016
My daughter treated me for Mother’s Day with a journey on the British Pullman Orient Express.
Cémanthe – my Mothers Day treat
Squeezed in a visit to my favourite palace; Hampton Court while in Thames Ditton
Bumped into my sister and Yoda at Trafalgar Square in London
I received my very first British Passport.
My daughter bought her first UK car
April:
April 2016
I travelled by ferry from Dover to Calais and got to see the White Cliffs of Dover for real
I went to Windsor to see the Queen for her 90th birthday walkabout
April 2016 Happy 90th Birthday Queen Elizabeth II
My daughter and I went to Paris for a day to celebrate both my birthday and my citizenship
I celebrated my birthday at Dover Castle and St George & his dragon
St George & the dragon 23 April
May:
May 2016
I spent 2 weeks in South Africa visiting family and preparing to send my possessions to the UK.
I got to meet my nephew and niece for the first time.
Started my Camino 2016 practice walks
June:
June 2016
I went to Trooping the Colour for the 6th year in a row – London in summer is gorgeous
I walked my first 28 km stint from Broadstairs to Sandwich (45279 steps!!)
July:
July 2016
An early and first visit to Bath to celebrate my daughter’s birthday
I saw the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Bristol – finally!!!
I visited my lovely friend Valy in Brussels and visited Antwerp
August:
August 2016
Visited Dover Castle to watch the 1216 Siege re-enactment
Spent the day in Canterbury with my daughter to celebrate her birthday
September:
September 2016
My daughter and I did our first geocaching treasure hunt.
I watched the annual Great River Race in London – my friends of the Trinity Tide won in their category again 🙂
I watched the wooden replica of City of London burn at the 350th Anniversary event
04.09.2016 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London 1666
My first visit to Great Malvern in Worcestershire – added another county to my list
Spent the day in London and went up The Shard with my daughter and my sister
October:
October 2016
Spent a few days in Rye with my sister for her birthday and went to Hastings
Watched the cheeky Russian Navy sail their warship through our waters…
November:
November 2016
Went to my lovely friend; Lucy’s wedding – she married her sweetheart Tom
Visited Gravesend in Kent at last
My first visit to Lancashire – and added another county to my list
Reached the Worcestershire Beacon in the Malvern Hills
November 2016 – climbed the Worcestershire Beacon
December:
December 2016 – Worcester
Visited Worcester and the fabulous cathedral
Climbed to Worcestershire Beacon again
My daughter and her boyfriend got engaged at Tower of London – he asked me to be his Best Man for the South African ceremony 🙂
Cémanthe & Simon – engaged to be married in 2018
Celebrated an early Christmas with my daughter and her now fiancé Simon
2016 our first Christmas with Simon, first of many more
And along the way I watched hundreds of sunrises and a few sunsets, travelled far and wide and visited quite a few new places.
2016 sunrise and sunset around the country
I started my Camino practice walks that changed from 2016 to 2017 ;).
UPS lost my hard-drive with 10 years worth of my photos, memories and incalculable information (bastards). I finally upgraded my phone and made great strides in figuring out how to do stuff on the internet on my own.
2016 – some of the books I’ve read and 2 of my Camino practice walks
My daughter and I had many amazing mini adventures,
2016 mini adventures with my daughter
enjoyed numerous cream teas, I read a number of terrific books, watched The Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament and on Christmas Day.
2016 treats and the Queen
I’m no richer, no poorer, not thinner or fatter…my hair has grown down past my shoulder again and I have spent innumerable hours of fun and laughter with my daughter.
This is my last blog for 2016.
It’s been a good year all in all; goodbye 2016….see you soon 2017!!!
Happy New Year
Not Just a Granny 
Sounds like a nice year, wish you an even better 2017. Happy new year 🙂
🙂 It was indeed. Thank you so much and all the very best that life can bring for your 2017…happy new year. Thanks for dropping by.
I really enjoyed reading your “tour of 2016” – as a Canadian (now American) living in the USA, I’ve always loved the Queen and the Brits and wanted to tour the places you’ve highlighted – some known to me, some not. Your pictures took me right with you, wonderful!! Wishing you a gloriously happy 2017!! MJ
Hi MJ 🙂 thanks so much for your comment. I’m delighted you enjoyed the ‘tour’ 🙂 Yes, The Queen, love her to bits. I’m very lucky that my job takes me to different parts of the UK – I’m currently on the Isle of Wight….photos to follow. It’s fantastic here and so very beautiful with loads of history. You too, have a splendid 2017. warm regards Cindy