Norq From Ork

At the end of a rollercoaster of a year, I always enjoy looking back before looking forwards.  There would be no prizes for guessing what the highlight of my 2019 has been as wild swimming started as a one-off and quickly became a life-changing habit.  I’ve swum in all sorts of places with an enormous number of new people and loved every minute of it.  So much so that I’m writing a book about it!  Look out for Salt on My Skin in 2020.  I’ll be sure to keep you informed.  I have a million favourite photos but here are some of my absolute favourite favourites. I remain continually grateful to the people that encouraged me along the way and gave me the courage to give it a try.

 

The whole wild swimming shenanigans started because I was turning 50 and wanted to challenge myself to complete some new experiences.  I did some great new things and loved the new me that said yes to more things even if they were only mini adventures.

Some of them I absolutely sucked at like rowing

But I loved seeing a calf born,

Pulling a pint

and my trip to Lanzarote where I rode a camel and went in a submarine

2019 brought some devastating news too as one of my closest friends dies in January leaving a huge hole in my life and the life of many others.  MyFriendFiona was a remarkable brave, resilient person.  I miss you dearly Fiona.

and not long after Fiona died The Mothership was diagnosed with vascular dementia and we’ve watched the sad decline in her memory over the last 12 months but also the privilege of seeing her once again rise to the difficulties life has thrown at her and the immense support Father Bear has been as they adapt to an incredibly difficult time in their life.  I’m so proud of who they are and what they have taught me. The children took part in a #sharetheorange campaign which raises awareness for Alzheimers

and I managed to raise two and a half thousand pounds for vital research into the disease by guess what? swimming of course!

Orkney has continued with her glorious skies, sunsets and sunrises and my appreciation of it never grows weary.  I love being outdoors now especially swimming, but I also adore the skies, seas and wildflowers.  My favorite being snowdrops because they bring me such hope after a long winter.

but amidst all this, the challenges keep coming and unfortunately, my daughter has been very unwell and in hospital this week.  She is home tonight on the proviso she goes straight back if she becomes unwell but is unable to travel back to London just yet and is keen to get back into a routine.

It’s been an absolute roller coaster of a few days and utterly exhausting so I have decided to give myself a little rest and not blog for a few weeks. I’m going to take January off from my week in pictures but will continue with little sound bites on Instagram (@seasaltandsarah) and will share things on my facebook page Norq From Ork and Orkney Writer

But for now I’m signing off, wishing you a wonderful new year and hopefully after a little switching on and off again I’ll be rebooted and backfiring off all cylinders soon.

Thanks to every single reader.  I’m so grateful to you all.

Back soon x