Well where on earth do I start? I’ll try my best to get through this post without mentioning the dreaded C-word but let’s just be honest straight up; it’s been a pretty shit year hasn’t it?!
This obviously isn’t going to be a long post at all. No-one wants to hear about how I’ve sat at home working none stop since March. The blog has taken a back seat, I’ve barely posted at all unfortunately even though I’ve had plenty of time to do so. There’s probably plenty of things that I should have done but, just like everyone else, this year has been hard. Very hard.
My Highlights of 2020
Unfortunately, I can’t write about my honeymoon here where we’d booked to go back to Australia and across to New Zealand. I was so looking forward to that. I’ve got my mind set on doing this trip in 2022 but you just never know!
Anyway, there have been some positives to the year and I’d be a fool not to say that. It started positively with trips to York and Seaham Hall. As with most people following the lockdown, we got a puppy; a little Cockapoo called Chester. He’s awesome! I’ve developed a spending problem when it comes to vinyl and Preston North End football shirts! I don’t like to look at my PayPal statements anymore. I bought a single speed bike and, for the first time since my hip operation, I started cycling again. I didn’t manage to break any records for distance or speed unfortunately. I’ve also loved exploring places more locally too with my favourite being trips up to the Northumberland and Tynemouth.
The Year as a Travel Blogger
The best thing to come out of this year in terms of the blog is making the switch from WordPress to Squarespace. I absolutely love the design of my blog now, it feels far more professional.
In terms of stats, in 2019 my views had jumped massively to over 80,000. I’m not too sure what I’m on this year due to the switch but I’d say it’ll be around the same sort of figure for this year.
What Next?
First things first, I’m hoping that my work starts to calm down a little. It’s been relentless. I’ve tried to see if I could find any stats to back up the ‘relentless’ description but the articles I’ve found are from April 2020. All say that care proceedings have sharply increased due to the lockdown. I can say first hand that it has not shown any signs of slowing down at all!
For me personally, I need to find a way to chill out a little more as the nature of my job is so consuming. I’m going to keep on getting out and about locally and just keep my fingers crossed for a return to some form of normality soon!
Anyway, enough from me, thank you again to everyone that still reads my blog especially in times like these!
Stay safe and hopefully I’ll be back soon with more blog posts!
Jamie
ps there loads more photos below…
It’s certainly been an interesting year. Hopefully you, and you’re nearest and dearest have managed to stay safe throughout.
In more selfish terms I’ve found the limitations quite enriching (such a cliche, I know). Being forced to shoot around the house more often has forced my eye to adjust and see differently. I’d imagine for a travel guy its more of a problem though.
Anyway, hopefully we get a little more freedom back next year. In the meantime, all the best and hope you have the best Hogmanay you can.
Slanj,
Gary Q
Thanks Gary Happy New Year to you too!
I’ve still taken plenty of photos, some of my favourites ever have been taken this year but completely different to what I normally shoot!
Fingers crossed this year is a lot better!
Despite the trials and tribulations of 2020, it seems you managed to stay creative, Jamie.
Thanks Khurt! Hope you’re doing well and staying safe!