I started blogging in 2011. I dipped my toe in gently as I approached early retirement. I had no idea what I would write about but I knew it would involve photographs. Several times I have contemplated stopping. It is time consuming. Yet it is also a way of getting down on ‘paper’ my thoughts and feelings. I regard it as developmental. I never realised I would come across so many interesting, fun, reflective, talented and encouraging people. I try not to worry about statistics but there is an inner desire to know that there is somebody out there.
This graph is how my annual views have grown:
I’ll settle for that. The year end review also sorts out the good from the drivel. There is a lot of drivel for each good post but it seems this was my top non-technical one from 2014.
https://ajh57.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/colour-travel-photography-with-fujifilm-xt-1/
Newer readers may want to have a look.
It was also a challenging year as you know. I was slowing down literally and tipped over in October. This forced my hand and I duly had my heart fixed. So far, so good. Reading, writing, a little work, they all helped keep me sane as I grew more and more frustrated. 2015 will also be a huge challenge as we relocate our life across to Britain. Blogging will doubtless be sporadic and occasional until we are settled.
I thought about the images I enjoyed making most in 2015 and as my parting shot for the year, here they are. My top ten. Like the BBC, 9/10 repeats. I can’t think why the first one made the cut.
Raspberry Ripple
Brown Shrike
All downhill from here 
Good morning Andrew, I hope all is well and you are finding your comfort
Thank you for visiting
As always Sheldon
Wonderful recap, Andrew. I have also considered stopping my blog from time to time, so I understand. But I am so glad you have continued. Your humor has lifted many a day for me, and your thoughts have broadened mine. Thank you for that.
Where in Britain are you considering? I hope you will be in an idyllic spot, well-stocked with birds.
We are not sure yet, Melissa. We will base ourselves in Winchester and start looking from there. I definitely want birds!
You have opened my eyes to birds. I’ve always liked them but never payed all that much attention. Now I find myself seeking them…turns out we have bald eagles, snowy owls, and white pelicans wintering right here! Wow!
Here’s to lots of birds in your future 🙂
Perhaps we will meet in Suttonford? You will be so familiar with Costamuchamoulah must-seen cafe!
Hope Mrs Ha settles in.
We are indeed looking in the area. Would that not be odd. The return of the native. It ought to be a book.
Keep up the Hardy references!
See you in Suttonford…
Happy New Year, one day late, I suppose if you take into account time zones. But cheers, Andrew. I look forward to seeing your here in 2015!
You too, Maggie. Its never too late for a new year greeting.
I really needed to see this today… thank you for sharing (and celebrating) the “growth” measurement. As a new blogger, you have inspired and encouraged me! Congratulations on your blog growth and continued blessings in 2015!
It takes time to build a following in my experience. You need a regular pattern of output. Sometimes it feels unproductive, little response. It forms a plateau for a while then kicks off again. Enjoy 2015 and grow well!
Thank you for sharing your life, heart, wisdom, and encouragement! I’m committed to comparing myself to myself this year. 🙂
More New Year’s greetings, Andrew.
Fine selection. After your stay in the hospital, I think I might have an idea why you included the first. 😉
And, of course, the gentleman in me (which was notably absent in my previous sentence) wishes to state that my favorite of the images is the last. 🙂
You prefer the last over the first? Well, Mrs. Ha will be very happy with that. There may be a small age difference but I scarcely notice it.
Happy New Year – and good luck for 2015!
Thank you Ruth. And to you and Patrick.
Your comments are among those I most look forward to, Andrew — and your photos are truly wonderful! And I loved the Gaudi photo, too 🙂
You’ll find moving ‘back home’ a shock, I know — things will have changed beyond belief and you’ll often wonder what has happened to the country you left — but eventually one settles back in, grumbling only a little at the general insanity …
What a lovely comment…… Made my day.
I am not sure what to expect but change for sure. All I need is some peace and privacy and hopefully a decent quality of life. Simple pleasures do me fine. I hope Mrs. Ha adapts well.
Best to you and Mrs Ha and may the move go smoothly. Is Lulu moving too? I like the B/W the most. We hope for a better year. For us the last one wasn’t good.
Lulu is definitely moving too Gerard. I wish you a better 2015 and get thee to Venice. It will wow you for sure. I recommend walking. Y night and sleeping by day to avoid the locusts/tourists.
Happy New Year to you. I love your pick of photos, The Gaudi is fabulous and I can take any amount of Venice. My husband is just pouring me a cranberry juice, see you in 2015!
Cranberry juice is an excellent choice. I’m glad you enjoyed the selection Hilary. I have enjoyed 2 of your books this year and hope there is more in the pipeline. Here’s to a fulfilling 2015.
Thank you. That is the ultimate encouragement for a writer. I will get scribbling (just as soon as I have cleared my email backlog!)
Your blog posts are ones that I always look forward to, Andrew, so thank you for your continued writing and photographing.
Happy New Year to you and your lovely Mrs ha. I hope everything turns out well for you in 2015.
You make me very happy with your comment, Yvonne. I shall do my best to carry on blogging.
Tanti auguri per il tuo trasferimento e Buon 2015, che sia felice in ogni cosa e per tutte le persone a te care.
Ciao, Patrizia
Happy new year to you Andrew and here’s to better health, more fun taking photos and all the best with the relocation! I’m glad to see one picture of your feathered friends and one of a very delighted Mrs Ha 🙂
Thanks Angelina. All the best for 2015 to you and AB.
I like pics number 6 & 8. The one of Mrs Ha is really cute. Take care of the ticker and a good 2015 for you and yours.
Thanks Yvonne. The shot of Shirley was taken during a 5 minute picture break as drove up to Porto from Lisbon. Cute indeed.
Happy 2015, Andrew! I’ve really been enjoying your images, and your willingness to share smaller and odder moments that many photographers would leave unposted. Best of luck with the move, and with everything else, and we’ll be glad to hear from you, sporadic or not.
Thank you Jackson. Much appreciated. I hope you and Greg wow us again in 2015. Great stuff.
Good choices all Andrew. Best wishes for the new year and your move. May you have safe travels and good health
I look forward to many more inspiring photographs and humerous and challenging editorials.
Thank you Rod. I look forward to more of your fascinating and humorous life stories. May 2015 be everything you hope for.
This was my first year blogging and you were, perhaps, the first to stumble onto my page. Your ongoing support and humour have been much appreciated and a reminder to keep going when I have left it rather too long between posts! Delighted to see the young Doctor again after all this time ;-). Wishing you the very best with the travels and have a super New Year
Thanks James. Quality always wins over quantity. Looking forward to more great content from you in 2015. Give up banking like me.
All the best to you in the move and in your health (and blogging, too, of course.) 🙂
janet
Thanks Janet :-))
Good luck with all the new things of 2015, may it be your best year ever.
A happpy and satisfying new year to you. Good luck with the relocation.
Thank you Victor. Very best wishes for 2015.
My friend life will always keep you twisting and turning, there is no way to stop this crazy thing. But passion runs deep this what make us feel when other parts are not. If you got to go then you must, but never forget us, we will always be here stay in touch
As always The Professional Cannon
Andrew I hope all is well
Have a happy and a healthy
Thanks Sheldon.
I hope your relocation to my own country goes smoothly.
Thank you Carole. It is going home (almost) for me but new for my wife. I need to move to Wales to be truly home.