I think we’re all supposed to say that it has been an awful year – and it has had its moments – but actually, I’ve had a lot of fun.
The bad things have been mostly to do with not seeing friends and family enough. Our two offspring have had big events in their lives and we haven’t been able to share or enjoy them as much as would normally be possible. Still, they seem happy and well so that’s OK. And I would have liked to see a whole bunch of friends more often but I’ve sort of kept in touch with most of them by other means and some of the interactions have been higher quality than usual because we had more time for each other, and we probably appreciated the opportunities we had.
There have been times when I’ve been worried about myself and about those I care about but then, that is probably to be expected in a global pandemic.
I finish 2020 with more money in the bank than usual (because we’ve spent less even though we’ve earned less too), a greater appreciation of my garden and a lower carbon footprint than for many years. Some of those things will stick with me.
The two wildlife organisations into which I pour fairly considerable amounts of my time, Wild Justice and the World Land Trust, have both had good years – and that is very rewarding and pleasing. I’ve made a small positive difference to the world this year. Although there is plenty going wrong for people and for the environment I’m hardly responsible for that and I’m not going to beat myself up over it.
And I have a book contract to write a nature conservation book by this time next year. Ah yes, next year, that’s tomorrow.
See you next year.
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Hi Mark
I wrote a facebook post this morning as follows, which I think sums up my 2020…
I had been thinking of summing up 2020 as
didnt get an amazing-sounding job I was interviewed for
pandemic restrictions cancelled all my planned trips and activities
got a cancer diagnosis
east-west rail looming indecisions
BUT I DECIDED THAT WAS WAY TOO GRUMPY SO I HAVE FOUND 5 POSITIVE THINGS………AND YOU ALL SHOULD, TOO…..
1. STILL HAVE A JOB AND THEREFORE AN INCOME
2. STILL ABLE TO GET OUT CYCLING AND WALKING AND ON SUMMER TRIPS
3. BEEN THROUGH THE CANCER TREATMENT STUFF
4. HAVE STILL BEEN MEETING FRIENDS FOR DISTANCED CHATS
5. HAVE A NEW YEAR TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Way to go Louise! Hope you finish 2021 with even more positive things to look back on!
Louise – thank you and best wishes for 2021!
If I had all the successes in 2020 that you had Mark I would be very happy with my year. Deservedly well done.
Louise, you are a star! Wishing you a very healthy and happy 2021, onwards and upwards.
Thanks Barry, Mark, Jonathan, I feel fine and still out and about and then only half-writign pieces for Marks blog then scrappign them……. our biggest hurdle will be hearing from East-west rail later this month…. when they FINALLY unveil a route they prefer for consultation.. one of the two topper-most choices goes straight through the house, and our delightful Tory MP has it on record that there is no route without damage but the least damaging option is oen that affects 17 isolate households… well that told us in our set of isolated households all we needed to know!!
Stay well Louise, I suspect your MP suspects you don’t vote for him/her and the farmers on any alternative do!
Ah, the local farmers… well, one used to routinely stand against the local Tory as either Referendum party, UKIP or independent… surname evades me now – Oh yes, Page, thats the one…… This route damages way more big and small agri farmland, too than other routse, but fewer people…… the main issue is the university radio astronomy, on the old line of the railway, with their exclusion zone which stops by our hamlet… so its either us or through a chalk ridge south, which is way more difficult and costly……I am bizarrely Ok about the route, its the underhand lack of prior consultation (blaming covid for not being able to consult the local villages….Hmm, really, we dont believe you) which is galling. happy to take the pay-off and run!
Hello Louise
I don’t know you but wish that I did. You are clearly a strong lady and good luck with your health issues. I sympathise over the rail issue. We live about 300 meters from the proposed HS2 route and, although we are not planned for demolition, our three neighbours on one side have all been compulsorily purchased. We tried to buy some of the intervening land to plant a shelter-belt, but the land-owners declined (though ‘promised’ us first refusal).
Mark, you ask how the year has been. I have kept a ‘year list’ since forever. This usually makes 200-ish. 2020? 130! Gloom! Still, a Magpie on the feeders at first light started things off. And a Red-necked Grebe at Attenborough wants to be seen! Maybe this afternoon?
The year seems to have slid by in nothingness. No holiday. In February, Linda went to Westminster Show (for the non-canines, the American Crufts). She left me with 20 (yes, twenty – not a typo) dogs. While six were babies, 14 were not! Still, she had dogs before she had me! And, unlike children, when they get to eight weeks, you can sell them!
Covid put an end to a planned visit to Bali to see Komodo Dragons and Bali Starlings. Oh yes, and to meet up with No 1 daughter and her family from Australia. Must get the priorities right!
So, I wish you, Mark, and all of your readers a happy, healthy and wildlife-filled 2021.
Now, about that Red-necked Grebe…..