2025 has been a difficult year for the world. Crazy world leaders are causing havoc and misery. Unfortunately I can’t see 2026 being any better, I hope I am wrong.
I do feel guilty that I have a very comfortable life when so many others don’t. Anyway, here is my review of my privileged life in 2025.
I like to escape some of summer in Brisbane so I headed off in February to Italy, via Helsinki and Paris.
I love Helsinki in the winter, especially if it is covered in snow.
I had 4 days in beautiful Paris. I went to excellent exhibitions and did several tours of Le Bon Marche.
…and walked all over Paris.
Here are some posts from Paris in February.
A serpent and doggie things at Le Bon Marche
From Paris I went to our apartment in Bagni di Lucca. We have some gorgeous sunny winter days, and it is a joy to watch winter turn into spring.
It was fun watching the iris on my balcony bloom.
I always go to the fabulous Viareggio Carnevale.
There are regular trips to lovely Lucca
and Florence.
…Pisa
Annalisa at Bar Italia closed for a week to expand and renovate. We were quite lost, but it was worth the wait. The new bar is great.
Lunch, dinner and aperitivo at La Ninfa in Ponte a Serraglio is fun.
We do lots of day trips and the occasional overnight stay.
Pienza is a favourite place to visit. We went with friends in early March.
Orvieto is another place we keep going back to. In April we stayed at a gorgeous hotel.
In May we went with friends to San Gimignano, Siena and San Quirico d’Orcia.
San Gimignano, Siena and San Quirico d’Orcia
With the same friends we drove to nearby Lerici and took the ferry to Portovenere.
Take the boat from Lerici to Portovenere
Later in May we went to England to meet friends. We went to Fowey in Cornwall.
The visit included a day trip to Mevagissey
We went north to Oxford to meet other friends and had day trips to delightful towns in the Cotswolds.
Cirencester, Capital of the Cotswolds
Tewkesbury, lunch and an Abbey
Stow on the Wold and England’s oldest inn
We spent some time in London.
We went to Orkney for the Folk Music Festival.
Cliffs, ruins and wildflowers on Orkney
In May we sold our beautiful Casa Debbio. It went from this…
…to this.
The house was sold to a couple who will love it as much as we did.
I won’t miss the drive up to the house, with its 8 kilometres of switchbacks, even though I usually had stop regularly to take in the magnificent view.
Then it was home to Brisbane for a while and regular daily life.There was a trip to Coolum with my son.
There was the fun of the Brisbane Fashion Festival.
Several trips to the GOMA in Brisbane.
In September I went back to Bagni di Lucca via Helsinki.
From Bagni di Lucca I visited Milan.
… Bologna.
…Pietrasanta.
…Vicenza
Shopping and eating in Vicenza
I said goodbye to our apartment in October.
I went back to England to stay with my friends in Cambridge.
From there there were day trips to Bury St Edmonds.
Bury St Edmunds and the smallest pub in England
…Lavenham
From Cambridge I flew home via Paris.
With a friend i went to 2 excellent exhibitions at Arts Decoratifs.
Back in Brisbane it was back to my sewing machine and days spent at Sarva, my friend’s shop.
Then it was Christmas.
Now it is 2026. Let’s hope it is a good year.
What a fabulous year, Deb. I hope 2026 brings more wonderful things. There isn’t very much any of us can do about the suffering and misery in the world except share kindness and a listening ear when we can. I read as much as I can of the commentary on world affairs to try to make sense of it. So far I haven’t found a workable solution (at least not one that doesn’t involve murder!). Happy New Year to you both
By: Jan on January 1, 2026
at 4:10 am
It has been a busy year for sure. Let’s hope 2026 is a good year for all of us.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 1, 2026
at 9:20 pm
Habit New Year Debra!
By: Doug Petroni on January 1, 2026
at 4:35 am
Thank you. I hope you have a great year.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 1, 2026
at 5:22 am
Happy New Year, dear Debra, a fascinating woman lives a fascinating life. We are all better for it. You are good with your pen, camera and your sewing machine.
By: Erika on January 1, 2026
at 5:33 pm
Thank you! I hope 2026 is kind to you.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 1, 2026
at 9:21 pm
Happy New Year Debra! While I share your views on the state of the world right now I am doing my best to fight back. A huge battle. Will
Miss seeing your posts on your beautiful Italian villa but am sure to continue enjoying all your other lovely posts. ✨✨✨✨
By: thirdeyemom on January 2, 2026
at 12:15 am
It is difficult to fight back! I miss my beautiful garden, especially my peonies. I will discover other gardens to photograph. Have a wonderful 2026.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 2, 2026
at 4:39 am
Deb you certainly did a lot of interesting travel in 2025 we wonder & look forward to seeing what 2026 brings. Happy New Year.
By: Camillus Davall on January 2, 2026
at 9:18 pm
We loved the places we visited last year. This year will bring some fun things as well. I am starting to plan the spring (in Europe) trip now.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 2, 2026
at 10:12 pm
Such a rich year of travel and lived moments. From Italy to your wider European journeys, I always love how you capture the quiet moments as much as the travels. Thank you for taking us along, Debra. Wishing you a 2026 filled with more travel, joy, and beautiful moments.
By: Mohamad Al Karbi on January 3, 2026
at 7:14 am
Thank you. There are lots of quiet moments between travels. I feel very lucky to be able to do things I love.
I wish you a happy 2026.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 4, 2026
at 10:24 pm