There has been much to be grateful for, when I look back on 2016. It has been a year which has been more about family and friends than fashion and frivolity.
So here is my year in review:
What isn’t to like about spending time travelling around New Zealand seeing and appreciating all that this country has to offer – the beaches and scenery were breathtaking; from Cape Reinga, to Rotorua and down to the Hawkes Bay – there was so much to see and do; it was hard deciding what to cram into a couple of days. Driving along 90 mile beach; the Rotorua Canopy Tour and a trip to Napier were highlights.
There were a couple of trips to Australia to watch tennis, see family along with a blissful week relaxing in Fiji recharging the batteries and a trip to Cairns. A sign of a good holiday is always coming back with a suitcase slightly heavier than when you started and a sun tan (that unfortunately fades way too quickly). We need more holidays…
I love my netball and decided to coach a team of 12-13 year olds at a school not far from home. We probably won as many games as we lost which ultimately means, no we didn’t win the grade or even come close!! We had fun and ultimately no broken bones or major accidents occurred so all in all we survived to play another day. Of course I can not forget running the Devonport Half Marathon in torrential conditions in September – it was survival of the fittest and unfortunately I ran my slowest time ever!! Oh well. I even managed (of sorts) to learn how to paddle board this year.
My love of music continues – Ed Sheeran and Rudimental were favourite concerts this year, along with playing my baby grand piano. It always soothes my soul.
I was relatively restrained when it came to shopping exploits. I had commissioned a couple of great pieces of furniture to be made for my dressing room (which I love); my favourite clothing designer is still Zambesi and often you will find me looking (and buying) something I don’t need but love. The wardrobe remains fill. I remain committed to quality over quantity.
It was many years in the making – but to finally undertake eye surgery after so long thinking and planning to do it; was a great milestone. It truly has made a big difference to how I feel and look.
On a personal level – my birth father dying in June 2016 was a very sad event, as was the loss of other family members and a close friend’s Dad. It felt to be a year of bonding with family and friends during such sad times.
I am so grateful for all the memories that have made 2016 a year of ups and downs. Ultimately I know it is a cliché but life is too short to not be happy; to forgive and to be grateful. One thing is for sure – my love of yellow seems to only be getting stronger as each year comes and goes.
So I want to thank each and every one of you, who have made a difference in some way to my life. I hope that 2017 will be one full of love and laughter and hopefully a trip to New York!
