Like 2016, 2017 was not a good year, the world has become an even more dangerous place than last year, and the political rumblings in many countries became roarings! In South Africa the corruption and incompetence continues and Cape Town is running out of water (bottled and tap). We also saw the death of a number of old school entertainers and celebrities, and fake news still proliferates through social media, and racism is still alive and well. And now for the weather…
Amongst those who passed on in 2017: Willie Toweel, Sir John Hurt, Peter Skelleren, Simon Hobday, Joost Van Der Westhuizen, Chuck Berry, Colin Dexter, Joe Mafela, Ahmed Kathrada, Sue Grafton, Mary Tyler Moore, Hugh Hefner, Jerry Lewis, Peter Sarstead, Glen Campbell, John Hillerman, Adam West, Helmut Kohl, Fats Domino, Don Williams, Charles Manson, Ian Brady, Harry Dean Stanton, Della Reese, Roger Moore, David Cassidy, Sam Shepard, Martin Landau, Gordon Kaye Richard Hatch, Tom Petty, Michael Bond, Al Jarreau and Bill Paxton. Unfortunately though some dictators will outlive us all.
I did not have a busy year, although there was a major spurt of activity in March when I had to go back to South Africa at short notice. This new year is crunch year for me, and I am sitting on a fence with lots of spikey bits. These are some of the highlights (and low lights) of my year.
January:
Was a quiet month, and I really relooked some of the places I had seen as well as some of the interesting objects that you normally do not notice. Clocks were subject of choice for January
February:
In February I finally hit Worcester and specifically Worcester Cathedral.
Worcester Cathedral
I ended up making a second trip to the city, and it was quite a nice place to visit.
March:
In March I had to return to South Africa as my mother was doing poorly.
I was able to revisit a number of places and a decision was made regarding her future care. She was not amused, but our options were extremely limited.
April:
Amongst the places I revisited was the James Hall Transport Museum
I arrived back in April, and just in time for the GWSR World War Weekend.
May:
I looked back on the three cemeteries in Portsmouth (Milton, Highland Rd and Kingston)
I seemed to have stayed indoors a lot in May because the only noteworthy thing I seemed to do was attempt to scratchbuild a model of the RMS St Helena. I now have a new one I am busy with so all in not lost. However I am kind of baffled at how long this exercise has taken.
June:
June was a busy month and I seemed to do quite a lot in Gloucester. One of the many things I saw was HM Prison Gloucester and it was fascinating.
I also popped into the “harbour” in Gloucester, and it was quite an interesting place to see, although it is no longer the bustling harbour it used to be
July:
The Tewkesbury Medieval Festival was held once again, but unfortunately I missed out on the Wellland Steam Fair this year.
August:
The Tewkesbury Classic Vehicle Festival was held in August and it was bigger than last year too. Some real blasts from the past were on show too.
1904 Mors 24/32 HP
September:
September I ventured forth into Stroud and inadvertently ended up in Painswick too which was quite fun but very tiring.
October:
The weather was rapidly turning as we October, but then the whole year had seen lousy conditions most of the time. It really dampened my excursions too so I had to do some thinking about what to post. Sadly I heard of two pets that crossed the rainbow bridge in this month and their loss is always a sad one.
November:
November is the month when military veterans take out their berets and caps and don their medals and poppies to Remember The Fallen. I also managed to photograph the War Memorial in Prestbury
December:
And suddenly it was December, and the biggest story in December was…
And that was my year. May the new year be full of love, light and laughter, and may the sun shine brightly and may peace and prosperity be with you and yours.
© DRW 2017-2018. Created 31/12/2017
