As the year comes to an end, it’s time for my annual review. Sadly, the blog was a little neglected this year as I didn’t even average one post a month. However, I aim to do better in 2025!
Health
One possible reason for the lack of posts is that my fatigue has really hit hard this year. Any events or trips away seemed to have taken twice as long as usual to recover from.
Something else which seemed to take an age to recover from was when I tripped over in February. It’s not the kind of trip I enjoy! I fell and landed on my hands & knees. Luckily, I only grazed my hands, but my knees took the full force of the fall and it resulted in me hobbling about for two or three weeks. My left knee swelled up, the bruising was impressive and the cut did not want to heal at first. I still have a purple mark on my knee ten months later.
Not my health, but a friend had a couple of operations on her foot and ankle, so I spent time back & forth to the hospital with her. We’re hoping there will be fewer injuries and operations this year, but either way, I’m always happy to help out and I know she would return the favour.
Events
I attended a variety of events this year – from comedians to rock stars! I ended up seeing Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert twice at my local theatre as my friend was ill the first time around. His show is definitely worth a repeat visit though.
In April, I saw James Blunt for the first time in Manchester (I already have tickets to see him again this coming February). A couple of weeks later, I saw Train in Wolverhampton in April, shortly followed by Take That in Birmingham in May.
We returned to Birmingham in October to see Alice Cooper, followed by John Barrowman in New Brighton in November.
Yes, I have quite a varied taste in music! I also saw a couple of music-themed films – Ghost’s Rite Here Rite Now and Robbie Williams’ Better Man.
Out & About
While I was in Manchester to see James Blunt, I took time to wander around the city centre in search of street art (you never quite know what you’re going to find next). I also visited Chetham’s Library for an After Hours self-guided tour. I really could spend hours and hours in that place.
August was a busy month… At the beginning of the month, I was back in Manchester, this time with my niece, for a couple of nights. It was during the rioting we had in the summer, but, thankfully, we managed to keep clear of any trouble. We did plenty of shopping and made a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium while we were there.
In mid-August, my friend, her daughter and I visited the Small Breeds Farm Park at Kington, Herefordshire. We had great fun seeing the owls, goats, pigs, alpacas, geese and a variety of other creatures.
Then, at the end of the month, my friend & I visited Chester for a day of shopping.
November saw a return visit to the Cat Cafe. We can never resist a visit whenever we’re in Liverpool.
The Garden
Once again, the garden did well, despite the amount of wet weather we experienced.
In mid-May, we had quite a rain storm, and, due to the farmer having recently ploughed the field above our back garden, the garden flooded! We live on the side of a hill, so it was quite unexpected. The water ran down the ploughed field, into the garden, down the side path and the driveway onto the road. We had quite the clean-up to do in the garden, but at least the water didn’t get into the house.
Sadly, an early frost in mid-October killed off my beautiful dahlias which were still in full bloom at the time.
———
2025 is nearly here and I already have a whole host of concerts lined up. Let’s hope I have the energy!
Happy New Year!
53 Comments
David M. Gascoigne
Always good to review the year that was and plan for the future. I hope that 2025 is wonderful for you – peace, joy and good health.
Nikki
Thank you. I hope the year is good for you too.
Carol
Happy New Year!
somewhereinireland
Glad to see you again. You had a pretty good year in concerts. I like Train but haven’t heard new music from them in quite a while. Sorry to hear about your fall. I just fell two weeks ago and finally getting around but much more slowly. 🙂 Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2025 may it be filled with joy, peace and great times.
Nikki
Ouch. I hope you heal quickly. Train are touring the UK and Ireland this summer too, though we didn’t get tickets this time.
Linda Paul
Sounds like a pretty full life, despite your trip up.
Diana Studer
Our concerts this year have all been local thanks to our Friends of Music. Classical music for me.
Sorry for your hurt knee – that time spent recovering is hard.
Nikki
We’ll be seeing John Barrowman at our local theatre next month. We usually see comedians there.
Natalie
I’m sorry to hear about your knee. Sounds like you had a good year in concerts. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2025.
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Hi Nikki – just popped over after you were lovely enough to leave a comment on my blog. I hope 2025 turns out to be a really good year for you – full of all the good stuff that 2024 held, and less of the health and injury issues! Happy New Year. 🙂
Kris P
I’m sorry about that the health issues cramped your style a bit in 2024, Nikki. You still packed quite a bit in. I hope 2025 is hazard free and that it brings health, happiness, and many opportunities to participate in the activities you most enjoy!
Kelly
Fatigue and falls aside, you had a busy, fun year. I can see why you didn’t have a lot of time for reading or blogging! I’m still a bit jealous of you seeing Alice Cooper. I’ve always been a great fan.
I hope 2025 will be an excellent year for you!
Nikki
My friend is a big Alice Cooper fan too. As you can we we had a side view but we were also able to see part of the backstage area which was quite interesting.
Ann Coleman
I hope you have a very good 2025, and that it includes even more wonderful concert experiences!!
Nikki
I already have tickets for 9 concerts/events, so I’m really looking forward to them.
lisl
Let’s hope you will feel completely energised in 2025, though I think you did well with all your concerts/outings in 2024! I will always remember your visit to the Cat Cafe! Thank you for visiting my blog and introducing yourself to me some years ago now, Nikki
Nikki
Here’s hoping! I do enjoy a visit to the Cat Cafe. Thank you!
Ginnie Hart
In spite of your fall in February, Nikki, you managed to make your year special with these delightful memories. Good for you! And now here’s to a very Happy and Successful and Healthy New Year!
Nikki
Thank you!
Tandy (Lavender and Lime)
May 2025 hold all that you need! Hopefully, with less incidents 🙂
Astrid
I am sorry to read about your fall, that is nasty. But your post is wonderful and you did do a lot. Too bad of the flowers were killed by frost. We have not quite good weather either right now.
For 2025, Happy New year and with lots of creativity and a good health 🙂
Nikki
We’ve had anything from wind, rain and fog between Christmas and New Year. We’re now forecast snow for the weekend.
Jo
It sounds like your fall was particularly nasty, I hope there’s no lasting damage. Other than that, 2024 sounds like another full year for you with plenty going on. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2025.
Nikki
Sadly, I think I may have done some damage as I’m getting a little pain from time to time. But then again, maybe that’s part of getting older!
ruthiebear
Though you had your challenges, it sounds like you had a lovely year. Rhod Gilbert is a favorite. I have seen him on WILTY. I loved the photo of the owl. Have a blessed 2025
Nikki
Rhod Gilbert is brilliant. I’ve seen him live a few times now.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I was going to comment about your varied musical taste, then saw you said it yourself. And even got to meet one of them! We went to Chetham’s when we were in Manchester in November (one of 4 libraries I managed to pack in!) and thought it was amazing. Bad luck on the fall. I have quite a talent for falling with various amounts of damage – take care!
Nikki
Did you visit the John Rylands library while you were in Manchester. That’s definitely worth a visit.
Tanja
Happy New Year! You went to a lot of great concerts last year. I hope you do it again this year
Nikki
I have tickets for 9 events so far, so hopefully it should be another good year of concerts!
Tootlepedal
Not a bad set of memories in spit of the early setback. I hope that 2025 is even richer in good experiences.
Tootlepedal
Aaargh – ‘in spite’ of course.
Denise Bush
Awesome year in review post Nikki! Best wishes for a better than ever 2025.
Nikki
Thank you 🙂
Johanna Bradley
We can all do without the health issues, but the concerts sound great, Nikki. I tend to stick to more local music and much lesser known artists but I very much enjoy music and the Christmas concerts here are lovely. Hope you have a great year. We’re already 2 days in!
Ann
I’m sorry to hear about your health problems, but I’m still impressed by the number of events you attended and the trips you made. I think reviewing one’s year may help to put things into perspective! Happy New Year, Nikki! xxx
Barbara
Hello Nikki, remembering me each year is so lovely of you. Thank you. We had a good Christmas, and hope you did, too.
I’ve just read and enjoyed your yearly review. You had quite the year. I’m so sorry you are struggling with fatigue, which must make life very difficult. I’m glad you were still able to enjoy some events and trips out. Falling is not to be recommended! I fell in 2023 and managed to break my left wrist. I’m right-handed, so there was some good news in there somewhere.
We managed a trip to Australia in 2024. It was the first time we had seen the family in nearly six years. Our granddaughters are both taller than me now! They were just little girls the last time we saw them, but they are young ladies now.
Terry and I are in OK health; we are just getting older!
Happy New Year xx
Nikki
Ouch! I’m lucky not to have broken anything (yet!). I’m glad to hear you’re both OK.
Barbara
It was a bit ouch! But it was a good reminder to take care when out and about. xx
Pam Richardson
Hi Nikki, I appreciate your visit to my blog. I enjoyed reading about 2024. I am sorry about your fall, but happy to see you recovered. Your year review looks like you had a fun year!
Anca
Your health issues must have been both a discomfort and annoying. You did a lot this year and I hope you’ll have a wonderful 2025. It does sound like you already have a lot of plans already.
Sharon Robinson
Despite a few downs you have have had some great ups! I love the fact that you’ve gone to so many gigs and concerts. I only managed a Blondie tribute last year! I have seen the Robbie film ‘ Better Man’ though and really enjoyed it. Here’s to a great 2025!
Beverley
It has been lovely to catch up on all the things you did in 2024, Nikki. I hope your knee problem improves this year and you will have lots of fun and mischief to enjoy in 2025
Stephanie Finnell
Enjoyed your 2024 highlights! Except for the injury. Falls get harder as we get older.
hena
Sorry to hear you struggled with health issues. Here’s to a better 2025.
Yeah, Another Blogger
Here’s to a fulfilling 2025!
CherryPie
Your 2024 sounds a bit like mine. I spent 4.5 months of days taking mum for medical appointments or visiting her in hospital. She has not yet returned home from her recent visit to hospital (Nov 24)
I hope 2025 will be a better year for you xx
tomthebackroadstraveller
…Nikki. fill 2025 with happiness, good health and fun times.
lisl
Thank you for sharing your year, Nikki. I hope you recover your normal energy for 2025 – and no more falls!
Astrid
A New Year and maybe we get new changes, Nikki You had a full year and with beautiful pictures.
Here is to a Happy New Year with lots of adventures and that we will stay healthy enough to enjoy it all.
Take Care and best wishes,
Astrid.
jessicabookworm
Hello Nikki, sounds like a wonderful year of trips, shows and events, but sorry to hear there has been a lot sickness and injuries, too. I was also really struggling with fatigue and sinus problems, so went on an anti-inflammatory diet and I am feeling a lot better. Here’s to a happy and healthier 2025!
Blessings, Jessica
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Here is to a healthier and fun year ahead,
jeanie
Hi Nikki — catching up and boy, there was a lot to catch up on. I’m so sorry about the fall (I can relate) and the fatigue. I hear you on recovering from trips. It does take longer. But what a grand year to recover from with loads of concerts, travel and fun with friends. That owl photo is fantastic, and so too your little friend in the cat cafe! Onward, as we continue into the new year!