In years gone by at this time of year I would have recapped my exciting travels undertaken and talked enthusiastically about my travel plans for the coming year.
2021 was far less adventurous than normal for obvious reasons and I daren’t plan too much for the year ahead. I did however get around a bit, mainly in the UK.
After the lockdown, the first thing I did in May was to visit the Wildfowl & Wetlands site in Arundel, Sussex followed by a pub lunch with my sister & nephew. It felt amazing after all those months locked away.
The main travels were in July with a road trip taking in towns & cities that I had never visited before. The route was set as Lincoln to Northumberland to Carlisle via the Borders Region and onto Cartmel & Stratford-upon-Avon, finishing with some time in Hertfordshire and a first ever balloon ride.
It was all great fun and threw up some magic moments in the cathedrals of Lincoln & Carlisle, a boat trip to Holy Island, the stately Alnwick Castle, a wonderfully scenic drive along B roads from Seahouses to Carlisle via the border towns of Kelso & Jedburgh, and a return journey on the picturesque Carlisle to Settle railway line.
Holy Island 
Carlisle Cathedral 
Lincoln Cathedral 
Lincoln Cathedral 
Knaresborough Viaduct 
Seahouses 
Seahouses – Bamburgh Castle in the distance 
Lobster Pots, Holy Island 
Alnwick Castle 
Kelso 
Station on Carlisle-Settle Line 
Departure Point Carlisle Station 
Settle Station 
Cartmel Priory 
Tornado Steam Train at Settle 
Stratford 
Avon Canal 
Hot Air Balloon Pre-flight
We also made a few trips to Devon, Bristol & Windsor to visit family & friends.
The Thames at Windsor 
Mrs Wilbur, Sidmouth in Devon 
Bristol Balloon Festival
October & November saw us take our first flight and make our first overseas visit since February 2020.
First up a flight to Jersey complete with PCR test on arrival. This was mainly a trip for relaxing in our nice spa hotel and we stayed in St Helier rather than doing any island touring.
Pumpkins for sale, Jersey Market 
Elizabeth Castle 
In early November we took a trip by train to Nancy in France. We found a beautiful little city waiting for us and will surely return one day.
Nancy was followed by a weekend in the Dorset coastal town of Lyme Regis.
That just left a day trip to London to visit the Harry Potter photographic exhibition, the theatre to see Only Fools & Horses and the Christmas lights/decorations.
So what of 2022? I am loathe to plan too far ahead but a family weekend in Bournemouth has been booked, as has a May tour of Scotland by train followed by a week in the Yorkshire Dales.
Hopefully the Trans-Siberian Express trip thrice postponed will finally happen. No chickens counted of course!
Whatever you do in 2022, have a happy & healthy year with at least a sprinkling of travels I hope.
Not a bad year after all. What a shame that you were in Lincoln but didn’t drop by!
Thanks Andrew. It was a tad packed itinerary wise. Would have been nice. Hope you have a great 2022 with some travels of course! Will.