Stitches, Beads, Rock N Roll: 2017 (Mostly) In Pictures

Hi guys rather than doing a boring "The year that was" blog I wanted to sum up the year in photos rather than too many words. Because a picture paints a 1000 words and will suffice when certain things that have happened this year are too painful to put into words. I'm referring of course to burying my best friend at the at the start of the year which carried the pain from the end of 2016 straight into 2017 and of course the loss of my beautiful, beautiful Stelly.

My heart is still utterly broken from the loss of one of my two beautiful daughters. Here's Stelly doing what she did best, posing!

I was worried after she died about how Esme would cope but she's actually done really well, she's become really snuggly and loving!

I turned 30 this year and celebrated with an Alice In Wonderland themed tattoo and of course a party!

My Alice tattoo

Party time!

I've had lots of fun this year pursuing my creative passions, namely photography and cross-stitch.

The cross-stitch I did for Chris & Vana's new home!

This year's Christmas cards

A badge and necklace that I sewed for Green Day's O2 gig (more of that later!)

As always sunsets were a focus

With optional sunflower

Dad and I also had our traditional trip to watch the sun come up on the summer solstice

Sunrise over Eastbourne

Dad enjoying early morning golf

Funfair lights

My first attempt at photographing shooting stars (mostly thanks to Chris' help!)

I had some great days out with family and friends that meant to got to snap some pretty pictures!

Helen & I at Southover Gardens in Lewes, one of my favourite photo spots

A little friend I made

The Bluebell Walk

Batemans on a hot August day -

Helen can walk on water!

Mum and Me

Batemans

Helen & I on the search for scones in Bath

Bath Cathedral

Royal Crescent

We finally made it to Sheffield Park to see the Autumn colours after years of meaning to go!

Mum and Helen

Mum, Helen and I also had a day out in Winchester checking out their Christmas Markets

Winchester Cathedral

A pretty stall

Back in February I got to see one of my favorite bands Green Day at the O2 (with pre-show drinks with Tone and Kaylee naturally!)

Mum and I also saw the Kaiser Chiefs in Brighton-

It was a brilliant year for plane geekery too, largely due to going to RIAT at last! I won't bore you with all the geekery but you can read all about it here

SU-27

The Red Arrows

F22 Raptor

My favourite plane the Tornado!

Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight

Airbourne was super fun too -

P51 Mustang

The star of the show the Belgian Airforce F16

Rich Goodwin's 'muscle plane'

Typhoon over the pier

Another airshow first for me this year was Duxford Airshow. I'd been to the museum last year when Dad had his Spitfire flight.

An attempt at a selfie with the Lancaster

Hurricane

Corsair

Hawker Fury

Spitfires & Gloucester Gladiator

A few family photos -

Bowling for Dad's birthday

Grandma's first selfie!

Corney assisting Helen with her birthday cake (made by Hayley)

Mum turned 60 this year and we celebrated by a bowling trip and also a cake made by my friend Hayley

How amazing?

Dad, Mum and Chris

Halloween came to the Richardson household

Christmas Time -

Christmas Eve drinks

Vana and me (please do note my special Christmas dress!)

Chris and me

Some of the best days of the year came when Uncle Ken visited for Christmas -

Of course the family event of the year was Chris & Vana's wedding. It was a beautiful Autumn day and I loved every second of it (and this is coming from someone who normally hates weddings!) and who thought that Dad would be the first to cry?