An’ Forward Tho’ I canna See

Having just celebrated Burns’ Day and looking ahead to what 2026 has to offer, the lines,

 ‘An’ forward tho’ I canna see, I guess an’ fear.’

came to mind. Written by Burns in 1785, he bemoans how his plough has rendered the mouse homeless and how unpredictable the future can be.

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane

In proving foresight may be vain;

The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men

Gang aft agley,

An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,

For promis'd joy!

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me

The present only toucheth thee:

But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.

On prospects drear!

An' forward, tho' I canna see,

I guess an' fear!

However, I’m going to change that last thought to something more positive:

‘I guess with cheer.’

2025 had some momentous …. moments that will bridge into 2026.

Below is our much-loved niece, Jen, who recently was promoted to the position of Public Health Principal at Barnsley Council and also gained a much-in-demand place on a course to become an UK Public Health Register Practitioner. All this while bringing up two little ‘uns with a husband who often works away. Awesome – and she will continue to be so!

I posted about bestie, Angeliki’s MA graduation ceremony in Plymouth. Since then she has joined an American college staff, is presenting at an international conference soon, has been asked to convene an professional Special Interest Group, and invited to have an article published in an academic journal. Recently she has gained accreditation as Fellow of the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes.

 Flying high, gals – so proud of them both!

This is my splendid teacher, Vasiliki, who accompanies me on the ups and downs of my piano/ music progress. May her patience, passion and humour continue to flow!  😊  

And so to my next ray of hope: literally for years this orchid, a gift from a dear friend, has lain dormant but I refused to pitch it. Imagine my surprise when, before Christmas, it began to produce small shoots. Now I see tiny buds forming. Such a delight!

Planned in 225, table set, food ready - the warmth of friends’ good company saw in 2026.  

Z found the lucky coin in his slice of Vasilopitta (dumpling equivalent) thus hopefully gaining good fortune throughout the year!

So, let’s think positively. May 2026 bring us all health, happiness and peace.

A 2025 Retrospective

 Naturally there were sadnesses and losses over the year but I feel the need to focus on things positive – what 2025 gifted us with. We went for trips away - local and further afield. One fairly local destination was the mountain village of Arnaia, remarkable for its stunning stone buildings, singular architecture style and great colours.

A birthday treat was our memorable trip to Trikala – a town remarkable in itself with great food outlets. Nearby in the famed Meteora area, the monasteries cling to their vertiginous sites.

Throughout the year we enjoyed having guests at our home/table and it’s an embarrassment to see the volume of such scenes we recorded, especially eating out! :o I will, however, give a particular mention Jean and Max who came to visit in May. We don’t see them often as they reside in Canada so we really enjoyed their company.

In July we travelled to Sandanski in Bulgaria about one-and- a-half hour driveaway. It’s a lovely town set in an even more beautiful park area with interesting works of art.

August saw us in my hameland. First we stayed in Durham to catch up with family and friends. Z really enjoyed his Marco Pierre White breakfasts at our hotel. Nice ones!!

We travelled by train to Mallaig, crossing the ‘Harry Potter’ Glenfinnan Viaduct.  But our main base was Glasgow and we enjoyed what the city had to offer. I was born there which happily gives me the right to be dubbed a ‘Weegie’ though I’ve never lived there. As the song says ‘I belong to Glasgow’- and when we’re there enjoying sunny mild weather, surrounded by homely local accents and humour, then ‘Glasgow belongs to me’!

Z continues to offer his services on the homestead and we happily assist in the consumption of olive oil and rather good Cabernet/Merlot thus produced. 😊😊

Our last trip was my Christmas gift – a trip to Prevesa in the south west, about a five -hour drive, but the Duchess ensured that we had a comfortable ride. Our hotel was in a beautiful location, and we enjoyed fine weather during our stay. We took the opportunity to drive through the under-sea tunnel to visit the nearby island of Kephalonia. Beautiful jasmine and bougainvillea festooned side-streets even mid-winter.

On our last day this shot from our hotel is apposite: the warm early-morning sky shades ease our spirits as we prepare for the dawning of a new year.