2023 ~ My Year In Photos.

As is now tradition, here is a photo from each month this year, a bit of a pictorial round-up of 2023. And it’s been a pretty good one. 👍 🙂

Snowy Clitheroe Castle.

Ok so it’s actually a photo montage for January. 😀 There was one particular morning when I woke up to a dusting of snow and a glorious pink 🩷 sky. Hugo and I headed to the Castle grounds and enjoyed the serenity of the scenery. So beautiful and remarkably quiet.

February is always brightened by the glorious sight of carpets of snowdrops, somewhere in a woodland nearby. In our case , not to far from our caravan in Cumbria at Acorn Bank. We had this walk almost to ourselves. Magical.

2024 included another glut of special birthdays. In March it was my brother in law’s turn to reach the big 50. Here’s a photo of my sister and I at his party with the entertainment, somebody who appeared on the cover of one of my Smash Hits magazines back in 1988. Yes,ok , I was a little starstruck. 😆 Any guesses?

We didn’t make much of a dent in our Wainwright Fells tally in 2023. Spring and Summer started out promisingly though walks wise and Gowbarrow was a favourite in April. Poor Mr Hugo has recently started suffering more with his joints and we are yet to find the best medication that works for him, onwards and upwards in 2024 hopefully.

Back in May we stayed in a Travelodge in the beautiful city of Durham for one night. It was hot and sunny and this photo is of some sort of 1940s exhibition happening in the market Square. We liked the city especially the riverside walk and the old university & cathedral.

At the end of June I actually went abroad ( whoop whoop! ) with friends celebrating Gills 50th Birthday in the stunning resort of Dubrovnik , Croatia. We spent a long wknd there and it was great to get away with the girls. 🙂

In July I feel like it rained. Alot. My younger brother was 40 and we enjoyed a family weekend together that included a trip out to Samlesbury Hall above. Highly recommended for Dottie’s Wafflery! 😋

The best part of August was a trip to Scotland with Wil and Hugo, the highlight being a stay in a remote🕯️ Lighthouse near Gairloch on the West Coast. Our apartment was originally used by the Principal Lighthouse Keeper and was a cosy getaway from the harsh elements outside.

A few warm days at the beginning of September were very welcome , especially as I got to wear my nautical inspired 50s style dress 👗 to Vintage by the Sea in Morecambe.

In October my other half treated us to a stay in the most gorgeous Fairytale Cottage in the Midlands. Nearby there were some interesting places to visit including Ironbridge above, with its rather striking red Iron Bridge over the River Severn.

As well as it being my 50th Birthday in November, it was , more importantly, ten years since our bijou black cat Slinky Malinki came into our lives. She is the most annoying vocal and bossy little cat anyone could ever meet. She insists on being fed at least two hours before her proper meal times, keeping up a persistent mowing until her demands are satisfied. She attacks bare legs and wagging tails and until recently her favourite passtime was snuggling into Wils armpit. She has now decided she quite likes snoozing on me ( took her many years to decide I’m not that bad) so I guess I’m very privileged. What a little monkey!

December has been a bit damp and dreary , so thank goodness that Christmas dog walks, festive gift swaps and meet ups with friends and family have all been on the agenda. 🎄🎁🐕

Thanks for bobbing by my blog in 2023 and all the best for a Happy and Healthy 2024.

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Dubrovnik ~ Croatia. 🪻

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast looks out across a shimmering blue Adriatic Sea. One of its most popular resorts is Dubrovnik, this ancient walled city was called ” The Pearl of the Adriatic ” by Byron and is still as stunning today as it was back then . A friend chose Dubrovnik as the perfect destination to celebrate a special birthday with the girls. 🥰

Lapad Bay.

Gill booked us a spacious apartment near the Beach at Lapad Bay, just a 10 minute bus ride from the Old Town. This turned out to be a great idea as it was quite the peaceful oasis to return to after trips out. Most of Dubrovniks beaches are shingle and Lapad Bay is no exception , quite handy if your not that keen on sand. There were always plenty of sun loungers to choose from here and lots of waterside restaurants and bars. Seafood is a popular menu choice ( of course! ) and your sure to find a Game Of Thrones themed 🍸 cocktail. The TV show was famously filmed in and around Dubrovnik, this is Kings Landing territory.

The Beach at Lapad Bay.

Waterside Cocktails at Sunset Beach.

The Sun sets on Lapad Bay.

Cave Bar More is a cafe bar inside a natural cave. 🍸 Photo ~ A Allen.

Elaphite Islands.

The temperature in late June in Dubrovnik was a Hot Hot 30 degrees Celsius. So a boat trip to explore the nearby Elaphite Islands was a welcome respite from the heat. I love a sea breeze! Arwen had booked a surprise excursion for Gill, the one she chose stopped off at a sea cave ( with a sea swimming opportunity) and took in three islands ‘ Lapud, Sipan and Kolocep’.

On the boat , ready for some island hopping.

Lopud Island.

All the islands are car free ( though you may see the locals whipping about on golf carts) ,which make for a very relaxing experience. Our boat trip gave us a couple of hours on each island. Lopud seemed to be the most cosmopolitan and was even hosting its own film festival. We kept an eye out for film star Edward Norton, who was rumoured to be holding an acting seminar there.

Strolling along the tiled promenade, Lopud.

Delicious ice cream, Lopud.

In Sipan lunch was included , high up in a sleepy village where the soundtrack to our meal was a thousand singing cicadas. Unfortunately there were also quite a few mosquitos, the only time we saw any on our holiday.

Harbour in Sipan.

Tammy was a hit with the local wildlife.

The island of Kolocep has a smooth sandy beach and we had time for a spot of sun bathing and swimming/paddling here. Saw some spiny black sea urchins in the crystal clear water. Be careful where your stepping!

Sea Urchins , Kolocep.

Our view from the sand, Kolocep.

Watching The Aida Cruise liner from our boat.

The Old Town & City Walls.

No trip to Dubrovnik is complete without exploring the Old Town and walking the City Walls. Stradun is the main thoroughfare that sweeps through the centre. This pedestrianised tiled walkway glimmers in the sunlight and is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.

Sea Kayaking from the Old Town.

Stradun, Dubrovnik.

Stradun. Photo ~ T Cardoso.

To view the city at its best , it’s a good idea to walk the walls. Bare in mind that you will have to pay 35 Euros to do this. The Walls entrances are open to the public from around 10am until 9pm. It took us about an hour and 3 quarters ( with plenty of photo opportunities) to walk all the way round. I suggest wearing some good comfy trainers or walking sandals and don’t forget water and sun cream. There are refreshment stops along the one- way route. If your a Game Of Thrones fan , you may recognise some filming locations up on and from the ramparts.

Negotiating the City Walls. Photo ~ B Walter.

Everywhere you look, Orange tiled rooves. City Scape. Photo ~ B Walter.

Up on the Walls. Photo ~ T Cardoso.

Cocktails 🍸 On the Walls, including a Hugo! These are apparently made from sparkling wine, elderflower liqueur and mint. Invented in Italy.

Stradun, taken from above.

The Old Port from the city walls.

Lokrum Island.

Lured by the thought of visiting another beautiful island, three of us caught the hourly ferry from the Old Port to Lokrum. Lokrum is a UNESCO- protected nature reserve, a 15 minute boat journey from the Old Town . Lush green woodland and botanical garden cover the isle and the rocky coves are popular with swimmers.

A rocky cove, Lokrum.

Benedictine Monastery.

Female Peacock.

Male Peacock.

The island has a large population of free-roaming peacocks. And they are everywhere, On the monastery walls, in the woodland, amongst the picnickers and even on the beach. They were brought to Lokrum by the Austrian Archduke Maximilian who spent time on the island with his wife Charlotte. Maximilian & Charlotte had a charmed life ( until they moved to Mexico & the Archduke was sentenced to death by firing squad) , but others suffered greatly. Rumour has it that Lokrum is cursed! Through the years many of its inhabitants have met grim deaths. Assassinations, murders, double suicides. You can read about them here….

Even today it is forbidden to stay the night on Lokrum ( just in case) , the last ferry leaves early evening.

Botanical gardens.

Can you spot the butterfly?

Lokrum is a beautiful place to visit and we didn’t get chance to see half of it. I can recommend the Benedictine Monastery, the Botanical Gardens and a saltwater pool called The “Dead Sea” Lake.

The Dead Sea Lake is a popular bathing spot.

Starfish in The Dead Sea Lake. Photo T Cardoso.

Game Of Thrones Cocktail Menu at the lakeside bar on Lokrum. Photo T Cardoso.

Refreshing drinks with uncooked pasta straws. Photo B Walter.

I really enjoyed my all too short trip to Dubrovnik in Croatia. Is it somewhere you would consider going? Have you visited elsewhere in Croatia?