It is always interesting to look back over the year that has come to an end. There are fun things and not so great things to remember. I like to remind myself of the interesting places visited and revisited. Here are some of the highlights.
In February we took the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Sydney. The track is 4,352 kilometres long. Crossing the Nullarbor was amazing. Even though it is a long, flat stretch of land, it is far from boring. I had books with me, but I spent most of my time staring out of the window. The landscape of ever changing and there are emus and kangaroos appearing here and there.
Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney
Not long after the train trip I headed back to Italy. Regular trips to Lucca, just a 30 minute drive from Bagni di Lucca, are necessary. It is especially lovely walking the wall surrounding the town in spring. Everything turns green and gorgeous while you watch.
On a trip to Bolgheri in southern Tuscany we stopped at the stunning town of Sovana. Its buildings are made of tufa, a porous type of limestone. After wandering in the town for several hours we decided it is a place we would like to return to and stay the night.
Sovana, a tufa town in Tuscany
In April we had our first visit to Marrakech. We loved the food and the friendly people. Scouring the markets was fun and the stunning Jardin Majorelle was a highlight.
Excellent wineries called us to the beautiful Veneto region. We stayed in Soave and explored this lovely area.
In May I travelled to Milan to see the Dolce & Gabbana exhibition at the Palazzo Reale. It was truly the best fashion exhibition I have ever seen. In the chandelier room the ceiling was covered with shining glass chandeliers, the fashion was transparent or glittering and the soundtrack was shattering glass.
Later in May I headed to the UK to visit lovely friends. I stayed in the Cotswolds, Oxford, Cambridge and London. With excellent guides and comfortable shoes I covered lots of territory and had a great time. I had forgotten how beautiful the English countryside is and how much I love London.
Word on the Water, the London Bookbarge
Then it was home to Brisbane for our perfect winter weather. I visited the Iris van Herpen exhibition at GOMA 5 times. It was spectacular. We are lucky to have such a wonderful Art Gallery 10 minutes from home.
In September it was back to Italy with stopovers in Helsinki and Paris. Helsinki was still looking gorgeous in late summer.
My Finnish cousin has an excellent restaurant, Bonafide. The food is innovative and delicious.
The last of summer in Helsinki
We had a month in Paris in 2023 and it just made me love Paris more than ever. I had a few days staying in the Marais and spent my days walking the city.
It was great to be back in Italy in September and October even though the weather was awful. The rain was constant but there were a few trips to Florence, Montecarlo (the Italian one) Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi with patches of blue sky.
When I am back in Brisbane I spend my time sewing and spending time in my friend’s shop, Sarva, in West End. I like to sew so it is great to have an outlet. If you are in Brisbane drop into 239 Boundary St, West End to say hello.
Travel was the fun part of the year, but there were some sad times as well. In April I lost my dear friend Paul Stoker. Ponte a Serraglio will never be the same without him. Big Paul will be missed by many. Lots of hours were spent at Bar Italia and on his beautiful terrace overlooking the river. He was taken much too early.
A couple of days later my Uncle Val, who was 2 days off 95, died. His name will live on as I love to tell people I have an uncle who has never knowingly eaten a vegetable in his life. He managed to get by without them.
A few weeks ago my favourite aunt, Shirley, died just a couple of weeks before her 92 birthday. It seems life without Val was not so great. They had been together since my aunt was 19…71 years of marriage.
My earliest memories are of the days I spent from the age of 2 visiting with her and my grandfather, who lived just a few houses away. I will miss my visits to Aunty Shirley and Uncle Val. They liked a chat and I was a willing listener. My mother always said I looked more like Aunty Shirley than her. I’m good with that. This photo was taken when she was younger than I am now. I was lucky to have her in my life.
MLet’s hope that 2025 will be a good year with health and happiness. I’m ready.
Memories are made in a year and we are just a part of it. We always have to accept the good and sad and hope that the following year will be good us. Happy New Year 2025! You have had a very busy year and I hope we can catchup somewhere in 2025. Cheers to you both 🥂xx K&J
By: Kerry & Jim on December 31, 2024
at 10:25 am
This year has had a few horrors. I will be glad to start again. I also hope we can catch up somewhere. I am heading off again on 12th February, 1 night in Helsinki, 5 in Paris and on to Italy. We will be going to England in May for a few weeks, no real details yet.
Have a great 2025!
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2024
at 10:35 am
Thank you for taking the time to share all your travels, I love seeing your world and I’ll look forward to more of your venturing. Happy New Year and happy travels.
By: Jan Trounce on December 31, 2024
at 11:18 am
I hope 2025 is good for all of us! I hope to explore some more of Italy and UK.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2024
at 7:58 pm
You absolutely do look like your Aunt Shirley. Both beautiful women. Uncle Val not knowingly eating a vegetable and living to 95 is quite a feat! I am sorry for your loss, seems they both had good long lives together. Enjoy seeing your year of memories. Here’s to making happy new memories in the year ahead!
By: Laura on December 31, 2024
at 9:14 pm
My uncle did eat the occasional vegetable. Aunty Shirley would grind them up in his gravy. If he couldn’t see a vegetable it was OK. He was a wonderful character and he loved cake.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2024
at 9:41 pm
A wonderful picture diary of your travels in 2024.
Wishing you a happy, healthy new year with more interesting travels ahead in 2025.
By: Dianne on December 31, 2024
at 9:36 pm
Thank you! Let’s hope 2025 is good for all of us..
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2024
at 9:42 pm
A loverly documentary Deb. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2025 filled with many more adventures
By: Wendy Bradford on January 1, 2025
at 1:50 am
Happy New Year to you! Maybe we will meet up somewhere in the world this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 1, 2025
at 6:14 am
What an interesting year you had – bittersweet but that’s life – here’s to a contented and healthy 2025
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on January 2, 2025
at 9:33 pm
2024 was not the best of years, but lots of good things happened as well.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 27, 2025
at 8:42 pm
Your Marrakech stories are like a dream come true. I’d love to visit there one day. I’m sorry to hear about losing your loved ones, that’s always hard. I hope that 2025 is a wonderful year for you Debra!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on January 2, 2025
at 11:32 pm
Marrakech is an interesting place. I think I need to go again to really appreciate it. Let’s hope 2025 is kind to all of us.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 27, 2025
at 8:43 pm
I think this is one of the most interesting, colourful and jaw dropping posts you’ve done – always beautiful, with your photos, they are..but this overview of your (only one!!) year reflects on the wonderful abundant and adventuresome Life you share with us. Grazie! Buon anno – may you continue to enjoy good health, prosperity and generosity!
By: Catherine Rowley on January 3, 2025
at 3:43 pm
Thank you! I am about to head back to Italy soon. I love my life in 2 hemispheres and feel lucky to be able to travel so much. Have a wonderful 2025.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 27, 2025
at 8:45 pm
Hi Debra, I came across your blog last year and since then I have been coming back moreorless once a month. I really like the way you observe things and how you appreciate both everyday life and travel experiences. I always get very calming energy from your posts. Thank you and I wish you a beautiful year 2025!
By: Daniela Blažejová on January 27, 2025
at 7:35 pm
Thank you for your lovely comment. I like writing my blog. It makes me more observant when I am visiting new places and life in general. Even when tough things happen looking for small pleasures keeps us going.
I hope you have a wonderful 2025.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 27, 2025
at 8:49 pm