Hello 2018

This time last year I said I didn't have many big plans for 2017, except to travel lots, and travel lots I did. The year started with Steve and I finishing up Christmas and New Year's in Ireland, visiting our family. Unfortunately we didn't make it back over in 2017 so a visit is definitely on the cards for this year. Maybe in the summer as winter in Ireland isn't the most pleasant of experiences.

I visited Paris with my Mum once weekend in January which was lovely. This yearly trip means we get to visit a few new places each time and sample some of the city's best food. I haven't got any Eurostar trips booked for 2018, yet, but I know I'll visit at some stage as I like to keep this a yearly tradition.

Our trip to Romania over the Easter break was an interesting one. I haven't blogged about it yet but Bucharest and Transylvania were certainly an experience. I can't see myself getting back to Romania any time soon but I would like to visit Sofia at some stage this year as I'm keen to see more of Eastern Europe.

I had a fantastically fun weekend in the South of France with my girl gang. Michelle, Sarah, Sophie, and I descended upon Elodie and family as she showed us around Marseilles and her local town. I'll be back for sure!

Our big holiday of the year was a 2.5 week road trip around Denmark and boy was it wonderful. We saw so much of this beautiful country that I'm determined to visit again in the not so distant future. Even if it is just to make it back to Copenhagen or Aarhus. I love Scandinavia and I'm so glad Steve and I make an effort to visit each year. For 2018 we want to make it over to Norway for a long weekend in Bergen and Oslo. Steve has never been but my previous trip to Bergen, whilst charming, was a short one and there's still a few things I'd like to visit of Oslo. Plus I know he'll love the Flåm Railway.

The summer saw us visit some UK destinations like Manchester, Whistable, and Cardiff for Gemma and Martyn's wedding. We attended our beloved Indietracks and made it to Green Man and the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time. It goes without saying how much we love Indietracks, this was out fourth visit I believe, and I was delighted to finally check out Green Man and the Fringe. Despite the rain Green Man surpassed my expectations. With a great selection of beer, food, music, and an idyllic backdrop of the Brecon Beacons, it's a stunning place. And of course the Fringe was fantastic, we saw so many fantastic shows including Hannah Gadsby who won the best comedy award for her show Nanette.

For my birthday in October we went to the Netherlands for nine days. We travelled by train and visited Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague, Utrecht, and Maastricht. I'd only ever visited Amsterdam before, and that was when I was 17, so it was great to get back, do some sightseeing and revel in Dutch culture. The Netherlands has a lot to offer, from stunning art, delicious food, and a liberal outlook on life, making it feel like home. Steve and I love chatting to people on holiday and the Dutch are a super friendly bunch.

Our final trip of the year was a long weekend in Liechtenstein, however we ended up spending more time in Zurich than we did in Vaduz. Liechtenstein is tiny, there's not a whole lot to do, but the snow covered mountains makes it a lovely place for wintery walks and cheese fondue. Zurich on the other hand is quite a big city with lots going on and we really enjoyed getting to explore a metropolitan part of Switzerland. Two countries for the price of one, not bad!

What I wasn't expecting in 2017 was to move, but thanks to a lot of help, Steve and I are living in a lovely 1-bedroom flat we get to call our own. Becoming a home owner wasn't something I thought would happen for a long time, property is so expensive in London that it almost puts you off from even trying to save, but here we are. As I sit on the sofa, looking around at my perfect little space, I know I'm in an incredibly lucky position.

Since moving, Steve and I have be spending more time at home. I enjoy being in and making the flat at home. I feel less inclined to be out all the time and am appreciating the slow life. It's nice. I think this is the way 2018 will continue. I still love checking out the latest restaurant openings but now I have more space to cook and put my ridiculous collection of cookbooks to use. Entertaining friends is something I love to do so I hope 2018 will see more dinner parties, more elaborate feasts, and more memories created in SW15.

Surprisingly (for me) I only have one holiday booked for 2018 at the minute, and that's a 2.5 week trip around Indonesia. My sister lives in Bali so we're headed there for a few days before travelling to Lombok, Flores, and Java. I cannot wait! Hopefully we'll make it to Sofia, Norway, Lisbon, and a Christmas market weekend as well. I'm not one for finding a cheap flight to random place as I always have a long list of place I actively want to visit but with a bit of planning I'm hoping to snatch up some good deals.

Steve bought a car at the beginning of 2017 so I hope we'll plan a few UK excursions as well. I'm still yet to visit Bristol, Bath, and York, plus a camping trip to the New Forest or Forest of Dean might be fun. Who knows where 2018 will take us.

Follow me on: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin'