Thinking back

Alky, my nan and Bud

I often find myself dreaming of past holidays when England is grey and wet. Recently I've been thinking back to Washington, how everything looked so beautiful under the big blue sky and blanket of autumn leaves last year, how even the buildings were glowing, bright white during the day and even brighter lit up at night. Washington was a place that felt good to be in, it was friendly and welcoming, unlike London, people actually spoke to one another and acknowledged their existence. I am so happy I went there, it was never on the list of places that I wanted to go but it surprised me, I met some wonderful people, from Susie to Alky and Bud and I went to some wonderful places from the monuments at night to Bethany Beach in Delaware (where watching Dolphins play in the surf as the sun rose, will go down as one of my favourite all time memories). That's the thing about travel, it's not just about the place at the time, it's about the memories and the feelings about a place that you get from it after; those memories are certainly cheering me up on these horrible grey days.

The mountains of Wales are calling me next...

On first day of christmas

As the Coca Cola advert once said the "Holidays are coming". December is by far one of my most favourite months, as we let the holiday spirit sweep into our cities, towns and houses it's easy to forget some of the loveliest things about the holidays. It may seem too early still to be getting excited about Christmas, but when you're brought up to believe in the magic and goodwill of this time of year it's hard not to get excited. It's not all year that people are nicer to each other, where they give an extra smile to each other & a wish of happiness. I don't understand why these things don't happen all year round, but I'm grateful that for at least one month a year people offer goodwill to one another. It doesn't need to be in the expense of gifts, or writing cards to lots of people (although who doesn't love receiving a Christmas card from a long lost friend or relative?) goodwill can be given in the quietest of gestures, just being grateful for what each one of us has, no matter how small it is. If selfishness is ugly, then give selflessness, say thank you, tell people how much they mean to you, or at the very least offer someone a smile. Enjoy the month of December, remember it's not about the gifts of the holidays but it's who you spend it with. Bask in the beauty of this month, I know I will. I hope you all have an absolutely beautiful holiday season, whatever you do.