Dear diary

Way before I started blogging, which feels like eons ago, but is actually only 2 years to the day, I was already in the habit of taking my camera everywhere. I just love taking photographs as a scrapbook of my life, so it was only natural that at some point I would virtually take up pen and paper and start adding words.

That day of reckoning was 5th March 2016, which means that I'm celebrating my second blogiversary today!

The days that I kept an actual diary - a couple of innocent looking exercise books to deter my Mum's curiosity - were short-lived. It was between the ages of 15 and 17 that I meticulously filled their pages with my girly handwriting with its unnecessary curves and curlicues.
When I left home to start a life of my own, I got rid of my diaries, thinking them childish and forgettable. Oh, how I mourn that decision! But for one look into the soul of my late 1970s self.

But I digress, even if only just a little.

Blogging has, in all honesty, changed my life. Ever since I typed those very first words and hesitantly pushed publish for the very first time, not only have I finally taken up a diary again - and a well-documented one at  that - I have met many kindred spirits to share it with.

Yes, I mean you, my dears!

So, as a way of celebration, I am looking back over my second year of blogging, dipping into my posts and photographs, and selecting some highlights. Which wasn't easy, believe me, so that this post is rather picture heavy.

The first photo transports me right back to the very first Springlike day last March when, strolling through our favourite local park, it was mild enough to pose in my folksy dress.

One month later, on a fine April's day, we visited an antiques market at a castle and afterwards walked through the castle grounds. I was wearing a hat I'd just scored and, sitting down on that weathered log, I felt totally at peace with the world.

In May, I posted about my maternal grandmother, Bertha, and tried to emulate her marvellous style. I was wearing a pair of my Mum's glasses, and a hat I'd recently found at a flea market. 

A particularly hot day in June and the perfect opportunity to wear this 1970s cotton sundress trimmed with rickrack. 

Our holiday in Wales was one of two halves, with a difference of about 20 degrees Celsius between them. These photos were taken on our first day, with the whole two weeks still in front of us.

But the weather changed after less than a week and by the end of our holiday the only thing left to do was shopping. We visited all the charity shops and antique centres in the area, one of them yielding a Pirate's bounty (I'm quoting Beate here) of brooches. 

July brought a couple of outdoor flea markets, and we even participated in one, right outside our front door (above), where my stock of vintage clothes sold like hot cakes.

One week later we found treasure at another flea market (below) where my maxi skirt was duly admired.

Rain was very much on the agenda in August, prompting me to do a raincoat post, and engage in some cosplay, emulating 'Allo 'Allo's Michelle Dubois! 

The weather gods were a little bit more lenient on our week's holiday in Belgium's west country in September.

Look, even had lunch outside one day! 

On another day, we nipped over the border to France and had coffee in a café where time seemed to have stood still. Well, it certainly did for those flies!

Back at home, we were treated to some glorious late Summer days.

At the end of September, we celebrated Jos's milestone birthday with a day out in Antwerp, visiting the MAS museum in the old port area.

Indian Summer continued in October and my colourful frocks had a hard time competing with the brilliant Autumn leaves.

Here comes the rain again! In November, I reminisced about the 1980s, wearing a bat wing dress gifted by the lovely Gisela!  Photos were taken on a rare sunny break between showers.

Later that month, you were given a glimpse into my vintage Barbie doll collection, with a promise of more to follow.

December was dismal and dark, with lots of rain, as well as a tiny bit of snow.

A rainy sunday took us to the wonderful Expo 58 shop, where we were welcomed with a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

Then the Christmas break was upon us. On Boxing Day we walked in Middelheim sculpture park, crossing Ai Weiwei's Bridge Without a Name.

Another year, another bridge! January continued to be gloomy but we grabbed every minute of sunshine to go for a walk, like we did that Sunday at the blue bridges.

Then, February arrived with lots of sunshine, but with a sting in its tail courtesy of the Beast from the East.

About half way through the month, I had the honour of doing twin posts with the fabulous Beate, one of the absolute highlights of my blogging year!

And so, a new year of blogging begins, the diary's empty pages waiting to be filled with new adventures, great and small.

A big thank you to all my readers and followers, you're what's making it all worthwhile!

Now, without further ado, I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.