2016 has definitely been a year to forget. It’s been my most emotional, stressful and upsetting year, and one I hope I never have to repeat. Thankfully, it’s nearly over and it’s onwards and upwards for 2017!
My first post of the year was I lost my boyfriend to Nintendo this Christmas. Little did I know I really had lost him… to another woman, possibly other women! Yes, nearly half way into 2016, I discovered my boyfriend had been cheating on me for months. He’d been lying to me (and about me), to her, to his friends, to his parents… Heck, his parents knew he was cheating. I’ve never felt anything like it and hope to never be made to feel like that again, but I learnt who I could trust and who I could rely on (and boy, isn’t that a small circle).
Moving on…
I love days out and trips away, so I threw myself into visiting different places. I had A Wild Day Out at West Midlands Safari Park (I love photographing animals and we got so close to some of them), visited National Trust properties such as Powis Castle & Gardens and Attingham Park, and made the most of joining English Heritage by visiting Stokesay Castle, Clun Castle, Moreton Corbett Castle, Haughmond Abbey and Wroxeter Roman City. Not forgetting the local beauty spot, Clywedog Dam and Bryntail Lead Mine. I’m very much hoping to get out and about much more in 2017. Oh, and don’t forget to check out my UK Staycation Tips!
I always take a camera with me on days out and trips away, but it’s always to hand when I’m at home, too. During the summer months, bees can often be heard buzzing about the garden so, of course, they featured in Weekend Snapshots: Bluebells and Bees and A Lazy Sunday. Animals are always great subjects when out taking photos (when they behave, anyway!). Plus, who can resist a snapshot at Dusk?
Bookish events featured in the autumn. I got to spend An Evening with Damon Hill (Former F1 World Champion) and An Evening with Johnny Herbert (ex-F1 Driver). And I couldn’t miss Shetland Tea & Murder Mystery with Ann Cleeves. I didn’t make it to Hay Festival this year, but 2017 will be its 30th anniversary so hopefully I’ll be there next year.
My love for stationery grew in 2016 and I shared some of my favourites with you. It started with my Stationery Sunday post and kind of snowballed from there! Something which I carry every day is my Traveller’s Journal – I love it so much, I want another made! I was lucky enough to win a Pocket Notebooks subscription and the pocket notebooks fit perfectly into my traveller’s journal. Then I saw these limited edition Field Notes Lunacy Memo Books and I had to have them (in fact, I got two packs!). Who knew I could like a little set of notebooks so much?! The Silvine Originals notebooks brought back lovely childhood memories of trips to the village shop and I was lucky again when I won some Fountain Pen Day Goodies in November. Talking about fountain pens, the Lamy Safari Dark Lilac Fountain Pen began a new-found love for fountain pens. I have more of them to share with you, if you’re interested. Of course, with fountain pens comes ink… More importantly, Shimmering Ink!
Back in November 2015, a new member joined our family – Silky the cat. She has settled in well and has been the subject of more than one blog post: Adopting a Cat – An Update, Silky & Leo – 6 Months On and The Struggles of a Humble Cat Owner.
There’s been more, but if you’re a regular reader you’ll have seen it all and if this is your first visit then you’re very welcome to have a browse around. I’ll be glad to see the back of 2016, but I’m looking forward to 2017 and everything that it brings…
For now I’ll leave you with More Things Kids Say or, more accurately, More Things My Nephew Says! Before Christmas he came out with “I go nuts, I do. That’s what my undercrackers are called!”. I do love him!
All the best for 2017!
Don’t forget, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook.
I’ve enjoyed becoming a regular at your blog – living vicariously through your travels and book events, meeting your kitties, and spending a fortune on Field Notes! (I love those little notebooks and most of my family members got some for Christmas)
Happy to hear you’re now a Field Notes fan! There’s a group on Facebook called “Field Nuts”, if you’re interested (there’s giveaways and all sorts).
It has been quite a year! I love your photos! (And sorry about the boyfriend.)
Thanks 🙂
Hi Nikki, I really enjoyed revisiting some of the posts, thank you for the links. I had no idea things had been so difficult for you in 2016 – 2017 can only get better. Happy New Year, I hope all your dreams come true.
Thanks Barbara, that means a lot 🙂
Nikki, I am sorry to hear that 2016 has been a tough year. I wish you all the best for 2017 – a new year, a new world of possibilities 🙂
Thank you, you too! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear it’s been a tough year for you, I think 2016 has been a funny old year all round. I do enjoy your stationery posts, I love stationery myself so I like to hear about new products you’ve discovered.
Thanks. More stationery posts coming up! 🙂
All the best to you in 2017 too and hopefully you find a loyal awesome guy!
Thank you! 🙂
Yet to hear anyone with anything good to say about 2016. Here’s wishing you and yours a happy, healthy 2017.
All the best to you, too 🙂
Sometimes going through something shitty, like being cheated on, is preparing us for something better. Here’s to a better 2017!
I hope so! 🙂
All the best to you in 2017!!
You too 🙂
I want a traveler’s planner really bad.
I’ve been eying one for a little bit, but I think I might get it in the new year! 😛
Go for it! 🙂
Oh my goodness I am so sorry that boys can’t get their minds straight. No one she have to go through that at any time. It looks like you kept going and loving after that. You are strong and I wish the best to you this next year.
Thank you 🙂
I’m sorry something so horrible happened to you this year – I know how you feel, and it’s great that you pulled through out of it with positivity! I hope 2017 is amazing for you 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I hope it’s amazing for you too!
Nikki, I dearly hope that when you read this post back you saw how much joy and fun you’d packed into 2016 in spite of horrid men. Your positivity in the face of the adversity you experienced is very inspiring and I hope you feel incredibly proud that you’ve come out the other side fighting.
Here’s to an even better year x
Kayte | http://www.simpleandseason.com
What a wonderful comment. Thank you! 🙂
Hope 2017 is better for you.
Thanks 🙂
Happy New Year! Thank you for this inspiring post. I am touched by this. Wishing you a wonderful new year! Keep up the great work!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Happy New Year to you too 🙂 Thank you!
Loving reading posts like these, thanks for sharing. Happy 2017.
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Oh my, that guy is worth nothing… I seriously don’t understand why people cheat. Anyways, I hope that 2017 will be way better and kinder to you, Nikki. I enjoy reading your blog and getting to know you better 🙂 x
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
Thank you, Leta. Much appreciated 🙂
Wow, sorry to hear about your boyfriend cheating on you. You’re better off without him!
Corinne x
Thanks 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about your cheating bf. I can relate since it happened to me with my first bf waaaaaay back.
Anyway, I love your Stationary posts because I get to discover some nifty stuff!