Review of 2017


As the year draws to a close a short moment to look back at the highlights of my year......

The Cobb at Lyme Regis December 2017
Looking out to sea is a big part of our lives and the views change constantly from one moment to the next. There is always something different to see and photograph.

From stormy seas to sunny days......



Tavi enjoys the water too and the countryside, he is not so keen of walking in towns or cities.


In 2017 we sadly said goodbye to Twinkle and we took Jackson a rescue cat into our home.  Initially he spent most of his time eating or sleeping, but after having previously lived in a town he soon started to appreciate having a huge field next door to explore.


Looking back over the year it is always the pictures of spring and summer I find the most appealing. From the beautiful bluebell covered woods to our visit to David Austin's Rose garden.



Our holiday to Anglesey gave us the opportunity to see puffins and seals close up in their natural environment.  

Our year has been full of  involvement in community projects from running a Green Fortnight, and a street party, to community walks, community gardening, beach cleans, helping at the museum and redeveloping an old building for community use.These projects will continue, some at a more demanding pace as 2018 proceeds. We also aim to drastically reduce the amount of plastic coming into our home in 2018 and produce a local directory of plastic free alternatives!

West Bay - looking towards West Cliff

 Thank you for all your comments and friendship during the past year, especially as I don't have so much time to blog. It was so good to meet some blogging friends face to face for the very first time, it always feels as if you are meeting old friends rather than strangers.

I would love to hear what has been good for you in 2017 and what plans you to have in 2018. Wishing you a very Happy and healthy New Year!

(In case you missed it the last look of 'Through the Garden Gate' was posted a few days ago.)

Sarah x



Comments

  1. Cathy31 December 2017 at 23:32

    Happy New Year, Sarah! All your photos are beautiful. Your life sounds full and exciting. Next May we will be going to the Lake District--our first time to your lovely country. We also have a new grandchild expected the end of June. Otherwise, I'm trying not to plan anything for the year--just take each day as it comes.

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  2. Rosemary31 December 2017 at 23:45

    Dear Sarah - each of your seascapes has its own unique quality and appeal. The photos of the bluebells and roses remind us of some of the good things that we can anticipate during the coming year.
    A Happy New Year to you and your family, and may it be a joyous one for you all.

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  3. Marie Smith1 January 2018 at 00:24

    beautiful photos, Sarah. Happy New Year!

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  4. Angela1 January 2018 at 00:42

    Happy New Year Sarah!! I want to say thank you for the gorgeous photos you have shared and ask you to please continue to share. I love your blog!! May 2018 be a wonderful year for you and your family. Hugs!

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  5. Coastal Ripples1 January 2018 at 08:42

    À very Happy New Year to you Sarah and your family. A beautiful collection of photos to look through on a brand new year:). B x

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  6. Bobbie Lynn1 January 2018 at 10:56

    Happy New Year's Sarah. Thank for sharing your beautiful photos. So sorry to hear the loss of your Twinkle.
    Wishing you and your family a blessed 2018.

    p.s. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos of the Copper's Hawk.

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  7. HWIT BLOGG1 January 2018 at 11:32

    Magic...your pictures are just magic! Best wishes for a great 2018!
    Love from Titti

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  8. Castles Crowns and Cottages1 January 2018 at 12:37

    Oh, that Tavi...he loves the water and the MUD!!!!!!!!

    Blessings to you dearest Sarah, and may your 2018 be sensational!

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  9. Anonymous1 January 2018 at 13:18

    It is sad how our beaches are treated - I am often found collecting stray bits of plastic bottle and litter from the beach. it is good to get involved though in the community with like minded people. I have some pictures (not posted yet) of an art project the local children did making things with rubbish collected from the beach.
    Your photos are gorgeous as ever - look foward to more in 2018.

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  10. Pat1 January 2018 at 14:50

    Sending along best wishes for 2018. I look forward to seeing another year of your gorgeous pictures. As a lover of the sea, I never tire of sea views, both near and far.
    Kind regards - thank you.

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  11. Willow1 January 2018 at 15:29

    A great review of the beach and sea in photos. Happy New Year!

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  12. donna baker1 January 2018 at 17:41

    Oh beauty, your rose garden is unbelievable. Wish I could grow them. I've tried every kind and they always end up with blackspot. And yet, this spring I plan to line a bed along the edge of the garden with pink miniature roses. We'll see. Happiest new year to you and yours. Let us know how the plastic thing goes. I love that.

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  13. Anonymous1 January 2018 at 18:43

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year. I love this review of your photos and special events. Goodbye 2017 and a welcome hello to 2018. xo kim

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  14. Beverley1 January 2018 at 20:14

    Thank you for your blog. I read it and don't comment often, but love your photos and views of life. We are also aiming to reduce plastic to as low as possible. Beverley.

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    1. Down by the sea1 January 2018 at 20:52

      Thanks Beverley I glad you are trying to reduce plastics too. I will come back and report on my progress and recommendations! Sarah x

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  15. Loree1 January 2018 at 21:16

    You live in a very beautiful area of England. We visited in 2016 and absolutely loved it.

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  16. Sandra1 January 2018 at 22:54

    Beautiful pictures. Happy New Year.

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  17. Lee1 January 2018 at 23:23

    I also read your blog,sometimes a bit busy to comment sorry.This is a Beautiful post and Beautiful photos,love Tavi and Hope Jackson will settle ok,sorry about your beloved Twinkle,know how it feels.Happy New Year.

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  18. Sigrun2 January 2018 at 07:32

    Good morning Sarah, we wish you and your family a healthy and good new year 2018! Thank you for this wonderful new blogpost, I remember our holiday in Dorset very often!

    Sigrun

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  19. Caro2 January 2018 at 10:41

    Happy New Year, Sarah! It's good to look back and acknowledge the past year, especially as the days seem to speed past. It's lovely to see a review of your stunning photos, such a fabulous part of the country that you live in. Looking forward to reading more in 2018, wishing you all the best for the forthcoming year. Caro xx
    PS I've met a few blogger friends as well this year and completely agree, it's like old friends meeting up - aren't we lucky to have the blogosphere! xx

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  20. Anonymous2 January 2018 at 20:49

    Happy New Year, Sarah, and thanks for all the lovely photos. I hope things go well with the plastic-free directory, it's a very worthwhile thing to do.

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  21. Anonymous2 January 2018 at 22:11

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year! I shall look forward to your lovely pictures of West Bay and surrounding areas with even more enjoyment now as we, sadly, sold our caravan at the end of last season, so jaunts to Dorset will now be few and far between! Heyho! X

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    1. Down by the sea3 January 2018 at 08:56

      Sorry you have sold your caravan, hope my pictures will bring back memories of your holidays in Dorset. Sarah x

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  22. Anonymous3 January 2018 at 20:05

    I too, stop by your blog, always without commenting. Did not know that is bad manners in the blogging world. I admire the water views and your sweet little dog. Love the blog and your pictures, Happy New Year from NY. A trip to your part of the world is in the future.:)

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    1. Down by the sea4 January 2018 at 20:03

      It doesn't matter whether you comment or not. Hope you enjoy your trip to this part of the world sometime. Sarah x

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  23. Gerrie Mackey4 January 2018 at 04:47

    I always enjoy your glorious countryside, and spectacular beach and ocean photos, all the more so, because our landscape is so different. We are also trying to reduce waste and belong to ''greening Australia'' to do our bit of the environment. Best wishes for all the busy projects you will have in 2018, I hope you find time to blog about them, as I do enjoy every post. (and I almost rush out to buy another dog every time I see Tavi!)

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  24. Jolanda4 January 2018 at 12:36

    Happy new year and thanks for your great pictures of 2017🙌

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  25. Brian Skeys4 January 2018 at 14:50

    Living in Worcestershire it is always welcome to have a tour of the seaside.

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  26. Things and Thoughts4 January 2018 at 17:57

    I have always been thrilled with your seaside photos, beautiful landscapes and blooming flowers.We share the same love for the sea and nature.This is amazing.Show us the most you can from your lovely area and countryside. May all happy days be ahead!
    Olympia

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  27. Anonymous4 January 2018 at 22:27

    Thank you for transporting me to your fascinating corner of the world. I particularly enjoyed your fossil-ly cliffs this year and your museum posts. And Tavi, of course. I hope this next year is full of curiosity and satisfaction for you. Give Tavi a behind-the-ear scratch from our crew in Maine.

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  28. Betsy5 January 2018 at 02:44

    What wonderful shots of the sea and how fortunate to live so close. I found your blog through another and so glad I did.
    Happy New Year!
    betsy

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  29. SeagullSuzie6 January 2018 at 14:54

    Happy New Year Sarah. I love this look back, especially as I've missed many of your posts this year. Beautiful photos and so glad to hear Jackson is settling in. What a good idea you have to aim to reduce plastic in your daily life. Brixham is having a Breakwater Beach Clean up today to remove plastic. It's part of the Torbay Cleaner Coasts Initiative.

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  30. Diana Studer6 January 2018 at 22:52

    We went to a new weekly Zero Waste Market this morning. Hope to make good use of what they offer. They need support - and picking up a few plastic bags (is that a jellyfish - sigh) when we walked on the beach afterwards.

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  31. Down by the sea7 January 2018 at 07:23

    That market sounds a great idea and one that is worthy of being copied elsewhere. Sarah x

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  32. Louise7 January 2018 at 12:21

    I do love seeing your photos of the sea throughout the year! The bluebells photo in the post is fantastic too :)

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  33. Polly7 January 2018 at 20:26

    Beautiful photos.

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  34. artistfriend7 January 2018 at 22:37

    so enjoyed your review and marvellous photographs Sarah and wish you and yours a very happy 2018

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  35. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!8 January 2018 at 14:33

    Dorset is beautiful isn't it! I've never seen a puffin but was disappointed to learn they are quite small. I used to think they are about the size of penguins.
    Happy new year!
    https://looseandleafyinhalifax.blogspot.co.uk/

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