Highlights of 2024

Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds

 I thought I'd have a quick look back on last year with my top five highlights. I've no idea how many miles I've walked as I don't keep count, but it's a fair few, and sometimes it's not about the walking, but the place visited and the people I am with. So, here we go, in visiting order!

Mud, glorious mud

A view on a walk in the Cotswolds

A foggy morning in Bourton-on-the-Water

The Cotswolds - Seven night writing and walking holiday. This was an organised holiday right at the beginning of March through HF Holidays. A small group of people of varying writing experience (none to published) learned the techniques of writing. We bonded quickly, laughed a lot and wrote a piece of writing to read out to the group on the final night. We each also had a one-one with our tutor/author. I loved this holiday for several reasons. We wrote together in the mornings, and in the afternoons we had optional guided walks, plus free time, and one whole day free to do our own thing. I felt it was a well balanced holiday. Space to be, space to write, space to walk and enjoy Bourton-on-the-Water, where we were based. The walks were not too long, but they were muddy. England had experienced excessive rain, and the fields were flooded. Walking was precarious at times, yet no one fell,  but there were funny moments...clinging on to wire fences to get round muddy puddles.

Some writing going on, helped by endless tea!

Motor Museum, Bourton-on-the-Water

Stow-on-the-Wold

Bryan Adams concert in May. This has nothing to do with walking and everything to with music. Music forms a big part of my life and always has. It was a magical night at the Royal Albert Hall. I've been a fan of Bryan Adams for many years, and although I'd been to see Simple Minds earlier in the year, this was my highlight of live music. He was superb, and he'd not lost any of his enthusiasm and his voice was still spot on. He came across as a genuine musician and caring of audience, making sure those seated behind him were included. It was a fab night.

Bryan Adams in concert

Abingdon - Thames Path Walk from Dorchester-on-Thames. My friend and I have decided we want to revisit Abingdon, for there is much to see. Abingdon was an overnight stop on the Thames Path. It had been an eventful day, and if you've read my blog about this walk, you will know that I called this day the kindness of strangers. There was a white van man who went above and beyond to help us, and a young lady who offered to pick up my Thames Path book which I accidentally left in Pret in Reading. She did, and I have it back. The walk began to be a killer for my feet as my walking shoes hurt by three quarters through the walk, but our overnight accommodation was brilliant. We stayed at Kingfisher Barn, just outside Abingdon. The chalets and self-catering apartments are set around a beautiful courtyard with countryside surrounding the complex. This was a memorable time, and I had to go on and walk to Oxford the next day, which killed my feet, but I made it. Thankfully, I have new walking shoes now which are far more comfortable, but until I bought them, I reclaimed my old shoes out from the shed for my next Thames Path walk. They'd gone for gardening shoes as they were old and worn, but they were comfortable. I eventually lost the nails on both big toes after that two day walk and had to walk around in sandals for weeks afterwards. Good shoes are a must. So, while these were painful times on the trip, I will never forget the people we met.

Abingdon

Kingfisher Barn, Abingdon

Rochester - Day trip with a friend. We both fell in love with Rochester with its river, castle, cathedral and Charles Dickens links. There is so much to do. It was one of those places that I felt had good vibes and we both wish to return to enjoy the museums and explore more. There was so much to do that we ran out of time. Our visiting list is ever expanding!

Rochester Cathedral

Charles Dickens

River Medway from Rochester Castle

Rochester Castle

Eastbury Manor House, Barking. This was a last minute choice when I was looking for somewhere to go on a cold day. I know little about this part of London, but the house came up on a search of the area. I was knocked out when I saw the manor from the bottom of the road. And inside was so magical with rooms off other rooms. The map I was given was useful as I might have missed rooms otherwise. Highly recommended. That day was also when I caught the Thames Clipper from Barking Riverside back into London, passing through the Thames Barrier on my way to Embankment. That was exciting!

Eastbury Manor, Barking

Stairs, Eastbury Manor

Barking Riverside

Of course there are other trips I enjoyed, places I revisit often like Winchester and Norwich, other places on the Thames Path too, but these trips for different and various reasons stand out.

My goal for this year is to complete the Thames Path and the Capital Ring. I have other walks planned, other visits on the horizon, and just need some good weather to get going again. I hope you will join me on my travels and get inspired to walk and visit new and old places yourself.