A new start? A blank canvas? A time for change?
Walked off a spot of fuzzy head this morning, contemplating 2014 and reminiscing 2013. Is there a need for newness at all? Got the usual wish list/resolutions of being more fit, less fat, leaner, meaner, keener - but there are lots of things I won't change, don't want to change or of course can't change. On the face of it, 2014 could be a very defining year for me. I will be 50 soon, which does seem to mean I've been around quite a long time - another reason to be a bit more contemplative. A bunch of silly, niggley injuries has scuppered quite a few plans for sporting/adventurous achievements, but I shall start prepping for our biannual 120 mile bike ride soon.
2014 may prove a difficult year for the old folks. Dad is still passing off his ongoing illness by always declaring himself to be "OK", and we all hope he is able to continue to enjoy his usual jaunts round Norfolk's finest eateries with the odd trip to Spain thrown in.
Mum has had a mixed Christmas. She has had a fair trott of visitors and spent a few hours at our house on the big day. However, the nursing home has let her down badly again with poor management - not enough staff as usual but above all, a broken lift meaning she has been largely confined to her room. We've had tears and anger and depression. And now she has a tricky chest infection, poor old girl.
After my early morning stroll up the lane, me and the Mrs had a more serious hearty walk at Sheringham, which coincided with the start of the heavy rain. That dampened any enthusiasm for me going to watch the traditional Comer New Years fireworks (which by all accounts were excellent) and opted for a feast of football including subaqua Luton beating Barnet to extend their lead in the Conference
