After Christmas at Dine’s Barn, we moved on to South West London, and to my Sister’s for the next half of the festivities, where we spent a couple more happy days with family members (some of whom had undertaken their own mass exodus to sunnier climes for Christmas itself!)…
But, on the last day of the year, I woke up in a panic. The next day was a Bank Holiday, and the day after we were due to return to Bavaria, but I still had sooo much to do. Leaving a sleeping husband, children (and quite literally letting a sleeping dog lie) I crept out of the house, and decided to walk the 10 minutes alongside the Thames into Richmond. Although it was bitter cold, it would have been a shame to catch the bus as it looked like it was shaping up to be a stunning morning.
(this wasn’t taken on the actual day, but you get the idea, plus how sweet is my sister’s dog? )
Often people say London can be a lonely place, but that you’re never alone – and at 8 in the morning, joggers, dog-walkers, a few photographers (and a couple of poor souls going into work) all accompanied me on my way – albeit at different paces, and on slightly different paths. Which also meant that I had plenty of spectators when I slipped monumentally on some ice, and had to walk the rest of the way with bloody knees and holey tights circa me a lot of the time around 1985. I did consider heading back to stop-sulking change, and perhaps wake a few people up for some bloody knee sympathy, but with the sun just coming up, and the promise of M&S, their smalls department (for new hosiery) and a cup of coffee all lay ahead, so I carried on. I am glad I did…
Being New Year’s Eve and all, the whole scenario – unfortunate incident, almost giving up on a situation, carrying on and then being grateful that I did – made me compare it to the years that pass in quick succession (and yes I did make a similar comment on another form of social media to my “real life” friends that read this, I do repeat myself quite a lot nowadays!) – although a year might contain crapness in one form or another, try to ignore it and carry on, for inevitably it will contain plenty of beautiful moments too…
We saw in the New Year in one of the places I like best, a proper English pub with close family and friends (thanks to my other sister for having the Small People!), Auld Lang Syne and Big Ben and the fireworks up the road on the TV at midnight. I think I am going to like you 2015…
diana says
That sunrise looks amazing! Poor you slipping and getting bloody knees.
Emma says
Thanks Diana! Quite typical of my life believe me! :D
Cass@frugalfamily says
Haha the photo of your sisters dog is so cute – just what I wish I was doing right now x x
Emma says
Me too, me too! :) Thanks Cass! :)
older mum in a muddle says
Happy New Year! I hope it’s got off to a good start. Such a shame about your fall but also worth braving it for these pictures – they are so sublime – what a wonderfully stilling thing to witness in the morning! X
Emma says
So far so good! It was worth the fall to get so many lovely comments about the pics! Thank you! A very Happy New Year to you too, may 2015 be a good one! xx
otilia says
Nothing compares to a walk on the thames. I sued to live in hammersmith and quite often i used to walk towards richmond. beautiful. and you are right…there is always something good in a year.
Emma says
I used to go to Hammersmith on the bus occasionally! Thanks Otilia! Hope 2015 is good to you! :) x
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely says
Amazing pictures, Emma. Especially as you managed to capture them when in pain. I think the promise of sympathy shopping and a hot cup of tea would have spurred me on too. It’s been a lovely start to 2015 here too. I’m feeling really excited about this year but I don’t really know why. I think it’s going to be a good one.
Emma says
Thank you Rachel, it does feel promising doesn’t it? When I was little I used to hate the new year, it was such an anti-climax after Christmas, but now I love it. New chapters and all that! :) x
Trish says
Hope 2015 continues in the same vein…the gorgeous views not the skinned knees!
Emma says
Thanks so much Trish. Hope it’s a great year for you too! :)
Grace says
I am loving your philosophical outlook to 2015. Also feel like it is going to be a good one. Your beautiful photos are the icing on the philosophical cake! x
Emma says
Thanks Mum xxx
Polka Dot Family says
Such beautiful photographs, it’s funny to think of the world up and about at that time of day. Sorry to hear of your fall, I hope you weren’t too badly hurt.
Emma says
Thank you…. Just dented pride more than anything else! :D
Penny Carr says
Happy new year! There’s something about the Thames that I always just find magical – possibly something to do with my husband and I kissing for the first time on a bridge over it. I just wish I lived closer so that I could do early morning walks along it as I used to do when I worked in the city.
Emma says
I took so much for granted when I worked in the city too. Thanks Penny, Happy New Year to you too! :)
Victoria says
We loved spending Christmas & New year with you all. Your pictures are stunning!! Makes me feel a tiny bit bad I’ve never walked along there early enough to see such a beautiful sun rise! P.S Spike is still sulking about you going home, as am I!!xxx
Emma says
If you do walk along there at sunrise in the winter, do make sure you wear shoes that are suitable for ice!! :D xxx
Donna@MummyCentral says
Sounds like a brill end to the year. Stunning photos too – my fave is definitely that beautiful dog
Emma says
He’s very special isn’t he? :D Thanks Donna! :)
Funky Wellies says
What a gorgeous sunrise… and very cute dog! Almost as cute as ours! ;) xx
Emma says
Yours is extremely cute! Thank you Katia! :) xx
Midlife Singlemum says
Sounds perfect, from the stunning pictures of the sunrise over The Thames, to M&S without children in tow (even with a bloody knee), to the pub, fireworks and seeing in the New Year on tv. Just perfect. Happy 2015! xxx
Emma says
Thank you R. A very happy 2015 to you both too! :) xx