2020. 12 months. 12 Photos

No-one wants to keep harping on about 2020. It was a year to forget. But browsing back over my camera roll reminded me that there are indeed things to remember 2020 by. Inspired by Tanja of The Red Phone Box Travels, here’s a lookback at the past year in 12 photos.

January

New year, new house, new home! Ironically this meant a much shorter commute to work for both of us. Little did we know that our commute was about to become even shorter…

February

February was a month of moving out, moving in, saying goodbye to my father-in-law and preparing for Japan. Which we still, optimistically, hoped may go ahead. It was also the month we started making more small changes to be more environmentally-friendly and reduce our plastic usage.

March

When lockdown hit, our hearts went out to our favourite independent businesses in Birmingham. We scoured social media and websites to see who would deliver their goods to us out in Coleshill, and we came up trumps with a meat, cheese and wine care package from Arch 13.

April

An unseasonably warm April meant a perfect opportunity to explore our local area. Just a short walk from home we discovered fields and farmland. And even closer to home, the trees of Cole End Park put on a spectacular display of blossom. Almost made up for missing out on Japan’s cherry blossom season.

May

In May it was time to get the garden summer-ready. As DIY stores opened up again we queued up to buy a pot of paint to spruce up the garage. And we invested in garden furniture. And Aperol. Because summer doesn’t start until you’ve had your first Aperol Spritz. Or two.

June

Hoard toilet rolls? Me? No, this is a perfectly normal amount of toilet roll for 2 people. Yes, 2020 was the year of the subscription box. Razors. Gin. Gousto. Beer. And toilet roll.

July

Freedom! But with freedom comes great responsibility. Which means protecting others from any nasty germs you might be carrying. Hand sanitiser, anti-bac wipes and facemasks became essential kit every time you stepped out of the house.

August

After a glorious spring and summer, we head off on a staycation to Wales (via Herefordshire) where it decides to rain. Heavily. 2020 continues to disappoint.

September

September was my favourite month of the year so far. And not only because it was my birthday, and I didn’t have to spend it in lockdown. Mr Fletche’s foot almost made it as my photo of the month, but I decided to go with this one from my birthday break at Choo Choo Moo.

October

Burger of the Year? It was a close call between this one from The Beefy Boys in Hereford, and the takeaway from Libertine Burger. But Beefy Boys wins simply because I was able to enjoy it in a restaurant, served by real people, fresh from the grill. And not tucked next to a hot water bottle in the footwell of a car tearing down the M6.

November

We managed to squeeze in a visit to Birmingham before the November lockdown. Sunday Lunch at Purnells Bistro, finished off with pinball and beer at Tilt. Already we knew it would be our final trip into the city in 2020.

December

And to finish off – the wreath that almost caused me to completely lose my shit after holding it together (mostly) through 2020. How can it be so hard to tie a bow? But with patience and support from Mr Fletche – and a lot of alcohol – I got through it. A bit like how I tackled the whole of 2020.