2013 in pictures

January

Is there any better feeling than a snow day?  Teachers love them just as much as kids do, let me assure you.

February

There was still snow on the ground when I flew to the Netherlands to visit The Boy and, although daffodils were blooming in my garden, the cold remained throughout February and seemed interminable.

March

The endless winter continued right through March; this was the scene on a snowy pre-Easter walk in Yorkshire.

April

Two days in Paris with The Boy - our first proper trip together (I don't count my visits to his place in the Netherlands) - was one of the best weekends ever.  The April sun shone as we walked, talked and kissed our way around the city.

May

Our hunt for cider on the continent bore fruit in Berlin, with not one but two local ciders tracked down.

  

June

Chaperoning a school trip is always hard work, and this year's camping trip to Devon was no exception.  But it was nevertheless a week full of fun and laughter and birthday celebrations.

July

The sun came out and never seemed to leave.  I went to Macedonia for a wedding, Brussels for a hen do, and Nijmegen for a visit with The Boy.  It was a wonderful month of travels.

August

What an honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid for my best friend.  After pouring with rain all morning, the sun came out as Cara arrived at the chapel.  Fellow bridesmaid Steph and I felt like princessess in our blue lace dresses (after a few drinks, we even did lots of twirling on the dancefloor, like 5 year olds).  I made a speech, because why should the men do all the talking?  And much much booze was drunk!

September

September was all kinds of awesome, because The Boy moved back to Leicester, which put an end to the long distance aspect of our relationship.  I spent a lot of time travelling around the UK in September to visit family.  This photograph is from a lovely day I spent with my dad in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.  The Minster there is stunning and well worth a visit if you - like me - are a bit of a church geek (weird for an athiest, I know!).

October

An anniversary weekend in Brighton.  So what if it rained for two solid days; all the better to stay huddled in the pub and then the hotel room.
 

November

A sunny winter's day off in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire.

December

Preperations for Christmas, which is always a big deal for me.  I love draping fairy lights over every available surface and collecting holly, ivy and other greenery to decorate the house.