Reflections on 2016

Cabin fever was starting to set in, so, as it was mild and relatively sunny I suggested that Pete and I went out for a gentle walk round Maxey. We enjoyed being out, but unfortunately Pete's cough became much worse after we returned, so for Pete and I New Year's Eve was a very quiet affair spent in front of the television. We didn't even raise a glass at midnight though I went into the garden to watch the neighbours' fireworks! We're both getting heartily fed up with this virus, which has pretty much wrecked all our Christmas plans.

I can't say that I shall be sorry to see the back of 2016. For us as a family it's been a generally good year - Chris is doing well as a self-employed entomologist, Lizzy is now a qualified teacher and is getting on well in her first job, Alex has secured a paid traineeship at Froglife, Ben is getting on well with his A levels and I've made a lot of progress on recording the flora of South Lincolnshire. But it has all been rather hectic and this has left very little time for holidays or other leisure, at least for Pete and me. We may have to strike a better balance in 2017, but it's hard to refuse work when you're self-employed!

On the wider world stage it's been a fairly abysmal year for those with liberal leanings, and it doesn't look as though it's going to get better anytime soon. But the most important thing that we need to do is keep speaking up for all those qualities that we know are right and make life better - equality and respect for all people, compassion, empathy, honesty, more equal distribution of resources, a better education system with less stress for teachers and pupils ...the list goes on. We can't let the bullies win.

Wishing you all a loving and peaceful 2017.