.jpg)
As part of our training regime, back in February 2020, Amanda and I headed off for another walk around Horsey Mere in Norfolk. It was very muddy!
It wasn't particularly warm either, but meant that we did it quicker than we might otherwise.
I have since done this walk in sunnier, warmer weather, but actually really enjoyed this day, getting out and about before too many people were visiting.
And of course all finished off with training walk and a thermos of coffee. Perfect ending to the day.
The Norwich Plantation Gardens had been on my bucket list for ages and I finally got to visit them in January 2020, although I have been back a number of times since.
It felt a bit strange going to visit gardens in January when nothing is really growing, but it actually gave me a good idea of the structure of the garden and the sheer magic of them, planted up as they are in a dip between houses and main roads.
They really are in a very built up area, right behind the Catholic Cathedral of Norwich. I've since been back in different seasons, but I don't think there's a time of year when they're not magical, plants or not!
Back in the New Year of 2020, Amanda and I signed up for a big walk to raise money for Cancer Research, the walk to be completed in September 2020. As it turned out, the walk was rescheduled to September 2021 due to Covid and lockdowns, by which time we knew we wouldn't be able to commit due to family reasons. However, back in January 2020, we were really up for it and planned in lots of training walks.
On a very cold and frosty morning, we parked up at East Wretham Nature Reserve - and unbeknownst to us, the Ramblers were also completing the same walk that day. It was very busy! Bearing that in mind, we started off early, but were lapped by the old folk half way round!
It was very cold and frosty, but absolutely beautiful in the sunshine.
The walk was probably only three miles, so we started off slowly but surely and had a couple of sit downs en route!
And finished off with training cake and a thermos of coffee in the car afterwards!
I'm always picking up leaflets from Tourist Information offices, or community venues, and I had this one in my possession for quite a while before Amanda and I walked it back in January 2020.
I very rarely just wander around Norwich - I'm usually in and out with a purpose, so it was lovely to have a good walk and to remind me what a beautiful city it is.
I really enjoyed this walk and will do it again. Amanda and I did this on New Year's Day so not too many people around and no church services to work around.
We headed to Clevedon - as usual - as we really like the wool shop there and there are some lovely little shops near to the beach. And, then, for a change, we headed to Portishead - a new place for both of us to visit
Finn was off the lead from almost as soon as we got out of the car.
We had a lovely walk along the front and then up the cliffs to look down over the bay.
Despite saying that I was definitely going back to Portishead, I never have. (Not for lack of trying, I have been back but couldn't find how to get back down to the beach - I did have Andy in the car with me, shouting and trying to direct - despite him never having been there before!)
Andy and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in October 2019 and, to celebrate, I left Finn with Amanda and headed to the caravan for a very rare weekend on my own, with no dog in tow!
As much as we missed Finn, Andy and I were able to head into Bristol for a day and do some sightseeing, eating and drinking. Sadly, my hard drive has failed where I had saved ALL the photos of our visit to SS Great Britain and I had taken HUNDREDS of photos! These few here are the only ones I took on my camera which I've been able to retrieve, but, if I ever get the hard drive up and running again, then I'll be posting the photos then!
Finn and I took a very rare holiday in July/ August 2019 - I generally never go away at that time of year as it's always too busy, too hot, and dogs aren't always allowed on beaches in the summer.
So we pretty much did country walks and stayed away from the seaside.
We did pop over the border into Wales to go to Caldicot Country Park and had some lovely walks there.
And we explored some riverside walks at Shirehampton in Bristol.
