To old and new friends

It’s was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Today is not what I imagined a year ago, but in some ways this year has been even better than I could have conceived.

With the rules around the UK changing regularly, my planned trip to Scotland with fellow Kiwis (postponed from Easter) was cancelled, and the outlook was grim. A Tier 2 Christmas without friends or family around to give me a reason to get out of bed. However Boris saw to it that this wasn’t the case, with London going into full Tier 4 lockdown, ensuring that my flatmate was around to keep me company. A loss for her, a win for me. What followed was a series of movies, video games, and snack filled days to warm the heart.

Christmas Day dawned cold and sunny, with a beautiful warm (for December) visit to a friends beach hut for coffee and cake, before heading home to prep and cook dinner, resulting in only two burns! Look mum, I learned to cook!

As we reach the end of 2020, we head into Tier 4 lockdown, meaning no gatherings on the street to celebrate the end of this strange year. Instead we will step onto the street to yell at our neighbours briefly before retiring back to the warmth of our central heated homes, with hot chocolate and cream liquors.

To sum up this year, it has been amazing. I have been forced to be at home, with myself, something that I have never really done before. I have reflected on what I want in life, what I enjoy, and the impact I want to leave behind. I have made friends, incredible people who make me smile, and give me the strength to love myself.

I have spent many hours exploring the outskirts of the county, joining regular Sunday runs and walks with new friends with the Hash Harriers, early morning bootcamps in the rain, shine, and ice, a full summer of swims and beach hut coffee’s with the best friend a girl could ask for, and many incredible memories (online and in person) with my Brownies and my Red Cross team.

Not travelling means I have had to face my fear of commitment, of getting attached to people and places, not being able to run away each weekend to a new place. What an eye opening experience! And I am leaving this year with fantastic friends and flatmates! I am so incredibly excited for what the year ahead holds!

Watch this space! Happy New Year to friends and family near and far! xxx