Thursday 31 December 2020

On The Last Day of 2020 - The Weirdest Year Ever? And the 6th Day After Christmas

 Photos and Memories from possibly the weirdest year most of us have ever lived through.............

January. 

Stacked the logs from the poplars that were cut down and put onto pallets ready for splitting.



                                                        Logs to burn, logs to burn
                                                        logs to save the coal a turn
                                                     here's a word to make you wise
                                                 when you hear the woodsman's cries
                                                          never heed his usual tale
                                                     that he has good logs for sale
                                               but read these lines and really learn
                                                        the proper kind of logs to burn
                                                  Beechwood fires burn bright and clear
                                                             Hornbeam blazes too
                                                          if the logs are kept a year
                                                  and seasoned through and through
                                                            Oak logs will warm you well
                                                                if they're old and dry
                                                        larch logs of pinewood smell
                                                                but the sparks will fly
                                                              Pine is good and so is Yew
                                                         for warmth through wintry days
                                                             but Poplar and willow too
                                                             take long to dry and blaze
                                                             Birch logs will burn too fast
                                                                   Alder scarce at all
                                                            Chestnut logs are good to last
                                                                        if cut in the fall
                                                                Holly logs burn like wax
                                                              you should burn them green
                                                            Elm logs like smouldering flax
                                                                      no flame to be seen
                                                                 Pear logs and Apple logs
                                                                 they will scent your room
                                                               Cherry logs across the dogs
                                                                smell like flowers in bloom
                                                         But Ash logs all smooth and grey
                                                                burn them green or old
                                                         burn up all that come your way
                                                       they're worth their weight in gold

BiL is very dismissive of the lightweight quick burning  Poplar I have as the wood he cuts and sells is more likely Oak and Ash, but as I said "beggars can't be choosers" and suddenly he was quite happy to clear this lot away to his house when I decided to move. (There is still enough left here for this winter and next for the new family)

February

February's memory has to be the new Grandson and a visit from the other grandchildren to meet their new cousin. Who would have guessed that would be our only big gathering in 2020. Please, please let us be able to all  meet again in 2021.

The three oldest have all grown up so much this year. Oldest Grandson is a school boy, Oldest Granddaughter goes to a school nursery class and Youngest Granddaughter will soon be 3 and the baby will be a 1 year old even sooner.

March

The first Lock down and I started to cycle more for exercise as the weather was so good, down to the old part of the main village.


April

I made a map of the garden and meadow, hadn't really thought about selling the house then. But another  year of having to drive everywhere, all the garden work and things going wrong changed my mind.

May

My Greenhouse in May. Getting a greenhouse will be my first plan at the bungalow after I move. It will probably be too late for growing in 2021, depends how soon I can get a base down.



June

A few strawberries from the pots on my patio. I'm taking some new plants in pots to the bungalow. Luckily Brother-in Law had enough spare so that I could make jam.


July

There were a few boot sales in July - it was so good to get out and about again after the long lock-down, although I didn't find much




August

It was lovely to get back to swimming when the pool re-opened. The first time for 5½ months.

 

I went as many times as possible between August and the next lock-down in November.

September

I used some of the huge peppers that the 3 plants from Thompson and Morgan produced to make mango chutmey


October

All through the year there were many many posts about books. I've had lots of comments from readers who say they enjoy my library book photo each month - of course the mobile library was locked down too for months and I seem to have  bought more books this year than any previous year. But there are no regrets about that! 

These were my shelves in the living room in October and since then some have these have gone off to Ziffit too.I've sold more than I've bought


November

A fast moving month despite being in lock-down again. After Col died  I knew it was impossible to  stay here for ever, it's too big and too old and too many things that need sorting all the time. After  looking at the houses for sale for several months and seeing how quickly things were selling I had this place valued and it was such a good price that I could move and have money left over. The house sold within 4 days of going on-line!

 

 

I'm moving just 4 miles to a 3 bedroom bungalow with a small garden but there is room for a greenhouse and  a couple of vegetable beds. The best thing is that I can walk to a shop, post office, library van stop, chip shop, doctors and the hairdressers where I go is just 3 houses away. The village has a village hall where in normal times lots of things happen and a big childrens playground for when the grandchildren visit.

 December

Getting ready for Christmas, which was almost cancelled  and then  tier 4 the day after. I enjoyed my double edition of the Radio Times, I like all the extra bits of reading in a year when TV has been a constant companion for me.

so my 6th Day after Christmas treat is the new copy.

 That was my year in photos and now it's the last day of 2020 and all we can hope for is that 2021 is better for everyone.

Thank you all for your company in blogland through 2020 

I'll be Back Tomorrow in 2021
Sue


42 comments:

  1. I don't think anyone will mourn the passing of 2020, it will certainly be one to remember (or forget). Here's hoping for good things to come.
    Happy 2021! xx

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    1. Happy New Year to you and thank you for commenting regularly - much appreciated

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  2. Thanks for your blog over this last year Sue, and it was great to look at your year's highlights too.
    Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2021. Hugz Mxx

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    1. The highlights weren't as exciting as most years -sadly
      Have a good 2021

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  3. Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year, Sue. And especially that the move to the new home will go smoothly. I know that you're getting rid of stuff, and it's not always easy, especially if you have a sentimental attachment. My daughter said to me this week "Books are just words on paper, memories are in your heart forever" I hope it is not too long before you can post another picture of a happy gran on a crowded sofa! Love xx

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    1. And a Happy New Year to you both.
      I've got old pieces of furniture to shift out and nowhere to take them! Not many sentimental things - photos mainly I guess.

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  4. Splitting that lot must have been quite a job. What do they say? Wood keeps you warm four ways? Once when you chop it down, once when you chop it up, once when you burn it and once when chase all the sparks that spit on the carpet.

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    1. Brother in Law has an old dumper converted to hydraulic log splitter, no effort needed!

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  5. It was interesting to read about the years happening. Hope the days will go quick now for your move.
    After the frost cleared yesterday it was a lovely sunny day, my daughter came for a cuppa yesterday and we caught up with things. Today I am going to take the tree down and tomorrow other bits will get cleared up.
    Hazel c uk 🌈🌈🌈

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    1. All very quiet on the house moving front at the moment. Just need completion before the end of March to avoid stamp duty

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  6. Something memorable from each month. Happy and Healthy New Year to you Sue.

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    1. And to you and thank you for reading through the year

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  7. Lovely reading Sue.
    Very Happy New Year to you.

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    1. It's so good to have you back blogging - keep well

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  8. Let’s hope 2021 will be better eh ?

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  9. Your new home sounds perfect for you. A greenhouse would be my first purchase too. My late father-in-law cleverly fitted two joined together to the back of his house so had a greenhouse/conservatory, brilliant and cheap(ish)! New house, new garden and a Happy New Year!

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    1. And I've worked out that there is room for one on the patio there so won't need a base - that will save time

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  10. It's been brilliant going through the year with you this year. I think our band of blogging buddies has grown tighter and even more supportive of each other throughout 2020. Here's to the New Year
    ... there are adventures still to be had.

    All the very best for 2021 Sue 🥂💖

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    1. Just keep blogging! I'm really looking forward to your rationing challenge

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  11. This was the year I finally commented on your blog after reading it for years. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't comment before! I wish you all the best for 2021 - especially your house move. By the sound of it, the location is ideal! See you on the other side!

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    1. Thank you for starting to comment this year and hope you carry on in 2021. It's always lovely to hear from people who've never commented before

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  12. Your blog has been a delight to me all year. It's kept me going, given me ideas, motivated me and generally been essential so thank you very much indeed. A echo your hopes that 2021 is the year families can get together again and that we can hug once more.
    All the very best for your move and the greenhouse plan sounds fantastic.
    xx

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    1. And I'm always so pleased to read your daily posts from across that other border in Essex!

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  13. It's been a strange year indeed but nice to look back on some good things amongst the downs we've all had. Wishing you all the very best for 2021.

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  14. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year! Good luck with the move!

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  15. It's been a funny ol' year. Hope to see you soon in 2021, tiers willing.x

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    1. Tiers changing or vaccines? Whichever comes first!
      Roll on spring

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    2. Tiers changing, vaccine is a long way off for people like me.

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  16. Happy New Year, Sue, with best wishes to your whole family for all good things in 2020.

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  17. What a wonderful year in review. My favorite picture has to be the one of you and all the grandchildren! I did not realize you were moving so close to where you are now. It will be nice to still have the same swimming pool, library and such and not have to find new ones.

    May you have a very Happy New Year Sue!

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    1. Yes not far to move as I wanted to stay close to family in Suffolk but in a village rather than out in the middle of fields. I'm looking forward to driving less

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  18. Happy New Year, Sue! I loved the photo of you with your grandchildren.

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  19. Happy New Year - can't wait to follow your move in 2021.

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  20. Happy New Year, Sue. I enjoy your blog so much and wish you much happiness in your new bungalow!

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  21. I really love your year in photos.

    Enjoy your new bungalow (glad you still have room for a greenhouse).

    Happy New Year.

    God bless.

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  22. What a lovely look back over your year...Happy New Year Sue xx

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