Shall we just all laugh now at 2020. It started off awful and went into full on melt down. That said, we still made many memories and it’s made me really appreciate everything I have.
January
After an amazing end to 2019 it was probably to be expected to come down with a bump. We said good bye to my favourite little fluffy friend and it quite literally broke my heart. Henry had been with me for almost 10 years through the good the bad and the amazing and it still upsets me now that he’s gone. Here are some of his best bits.
We headed back to Harbour Spa Brighton on a please come back and let us try again and we decided it definitely wasn’t a spa for us. The month finished with a trip to Yorkshire to celebrate our wedding with my Grandparents. We ate lots of tasty food had lots of drinks and laughs and had a visit to one of our favourite restaurants Tattu.
February
Back to The Flint House Brighton for a proper test drive. It did not disappoint, fabulous food yummy drinks and a great atmosphere. I love that you can sit up at the chefs bar and watch them cook.
Johns friend turned 40 we went to celebrate in Exeter, had our first experience in a night club together, thought we were 18 didn’t we and how had we never been in a nightclub together??. Stopped off en route home at Corfe Castle because John loves trains and it’s too pretty not to.
March
Now we all know this is where things went crazy, most of us were pretending Covid 19 was not a thing and hoping we wouldn’t be affected.
We had a very foodie heavy day out in London. Insane fried chicken at Butchies, Doughnut time Vegan doughnuts and the famous creme cookie. All insane and all worth a visit. Maybe not all in one day.
The last trip to the Bluebell before in closed for 5 months.
last but not least our last trip out before lock down, we headed to Worthing beach for chips on the beach from our fave Chipwicks. En route home we had a doughnut Friday at the Flour Pot Bakery. Delicious doughnuts as always. We managed to sneak in a mothers day celebration before Boris announced on Monday 23rd March we were going into lockdown. No trips out except for essential shops and an hours walk per day. No visiting family. I closed the doors at Rachieroo Treatments not knowing when I could open again and John started working from home.
April
Well as I was temporarily unemployed I did all those jobs I’d been putting off and started cooking and baking everything because too much time on my hands. We explored the village and immediate surrounds. Did too many themed Zoom nights with the family and tried not to loose the plot wondering when we were gonna be allowed out. Oh and our railway models of us we had made went into production for other people to buy.
May
Things slowly started to ease up allowing us to venture out a little for walks and a change of scenery. Johns mum started knitting Rainbows and we ended up giving them out to some lovely people.
VE Day happened and we caught a glimpse of the plane flying in support of the NHS. We celebrated with afternoon tea and virtual family quiz.
Old train lines and converted lines were on Johns tick list so we visited a few.
We had picnics and started getting our garden summer ready. We tried out Safari Pizza company who indeed are delicious. The month ended with a space mission of some sort which I can’t quite remember the details.
June
What a great month June was we were finally allowed to meet in groups of 6 outside and it felt like we might actually get back to some normality. We surprised Johns mum and dad with a KFC (their fave) as they hadn’t been able to go out since march. There were lots of snuggles with Bryny dog.
We went for our first chips on the beach since lock down, to our fave spot Chipwicks.
My sister had her birthday and as there were no summer festivals we brought the festival to the garden. Games, music, camping, street food and lots of laughs.
National trusts started reopening so we headed to a few local faves. We also tried out Hever Castle and Borde Hill Gardens.
July
The railways started opening up and John couldn’t wait to go back. I took the opportunity for a few pics.
Little Bear turned 4 and we visited Tulleys Drive in Cinema, which is definitely as fun summer treat. Roof down, snacks and a classic film, we watched layer cake.
August
The Bluebell Railway re opened and we went for fish and chips, you can read more here.
We finally tried out our pasta machine and made homemade pasta, really easy and tastes so much better.
We took Teddy out for his birthday treat. A day out seemed nice rather than a gift as he has plenty.
We had a trip to London, tried out Eggs Slut and yes its pretty damn good. Explored on foot, got at one with nature. Had a failed shop at Chanel, had my eye on some shoes, the colour was all off, gutted. A we saw the pink Figaro. I would love one of these cars in the soft green so that was cool.
Rachieroo Treatments got a new addition Dermalux and John and I started testing it out ahead of launch.
September
John and Rachel birthday month, adventures were back in full swing and we started off with a brilliant stay at The Pig, you can read more here.
We headed to Scotland and ventured on a plane for the first time this year. Had the best stay back at out faves Ballintggart and explored the Perthshire area. If you missed the Grandtully Hotel check in out here. For Scotland check it out here.
October
I cut my hair off and went for a long bob. Kinda loving it.
We headed to Heritage for a delicious Sunday lunch treat. The food really was great. More on that here.
My sister and her husband bought a hot tub so we headed round for bubbles in the hot tub. More National trust visits. Lots of snuggly warm outfits and a re visit to Redroaster in brighton for a brunch/lunch. I had brunch John had lunch. lovely as always.
Finished off the month with a halloween themed afternoon tea.
November
We checked out Bombay Safire Distillery Tour, a great little trip if you’re into gin. Read more here.
Bonfire night came a day early with a little mini family get together.
Lockdown happened again and so began another month off and the salon being closed. Although I was gutted because the salon had been doing so well, you can’t really moan at a month off.
We celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary and although it wasn’t quite what we had planned, it really didn’t matter. I ordered Cookies from Blondies Kitchen. The cookie bites and the fudge triple choc cookie were so good the rest, not to fussed.
We visited Pooh Bridge, a new Pooh house had been built but sadly the bridge had had a disagreement with a tree and was in need of renovation.
December
Final month of the year and we tried to make it as festive as possible. Advent Calendars were delivered. Lots of festive walks.
Pizza and drinks at The Bull, Ditchling in their outdoor tent.
Brunch at Six Brigton.
A solo trip to London as John ended up in Lisbon with work and restrictions were still going. A COVID safe play and treats from Crumbs and Doilies. Now their cookies are ones to get your hands on, especially biscoff.
Getting festive around the house and then back to London for Christmas afternoon tea at The Ritz. I’d love this to become a tradition of ours because it was beautiful. A choir, champagne and more cake than you can possibly eat. Their Christmas cake is the best.
John finally cashed in his voucher for some treatments. We headed back to the flint house and celebrated Christmas before heading back into lockdown. A distanced walk with friends and ringing in the new year with a Parlour box from Heritage.
It’s certainly been a tough one, but it’s made me realise even more how lucky I am. We’ve made some amazing memories despite everything that’s gone on. Here’s to a better 2021 and getting COVID under control. I know we’re not alone in wanting normality to resume.
See you in the next post.
Rach xx
