Peak Portugal
"Phil and Martin and I spent 2 weeks in the Azores, spread over 3 islands. Pico is the island with Portugal's highest point: when you can see it it looks like a child's pointed hat on an elephant. We had lovely weather, staying in a cottage whose living room contained an old mill wheel, with a beautiful view down to the Atlantic." - Miriam
Pico island is dominated by the mountain of the same name. Most other things are on a small scale, including vineyards no bigger than a family garden. The coastline is circled by villages and rocky coves which give excellent views across to neighbouring islands. It is worth seeking out local knowledge: one of the best restaurants we visited was concealed behind a snack bar.
Pico peeks out: a rare view of the mountain top which is often hidden in cloud
Arrival on São Jorge, accompanied by the President of the regional government
"We picked a Friday for a day trip to São Jorge - the day they were celebrating the opening of new ferry terminals on each island. The boat was decorated with bunting, a band greeted us on São Jorge, and the locals had their photos taken with the President of the Azores."
Our original plan had been to stay on São Jorge, but for several months low-level earthquakes had warned of something bigger, and so we settled for a day trip from Pico instead. We climbed a hill above the ferry port, Velas, before exploring the town and its old harbour.
On another day we took the ferry to Faial, where we had stayed some 10 years ago. Around the harbour, which is a major hub for ocean-going yachts, it is the custom for crews to paint reminders of their visit - and some had survived from our earlier stay.
"Graciosa island is so small it would fit inside Birmingham but it had impressive caves, and gas bubbling up through holes in the ground. Terceira was very pleasant, though we had some rain and mist, and more caves with floors made of bumpy lava rock."
Despite its diminutive size Graciosa is home to a massive caldera, with a sulphur-smelling cavern at its heart. Above ground, we discovered that the restaurant concealment trick was commonplace here too, and even when you can find them, they all serve the same dishes. The island has a very rural feel, and our hotel, despite being surrounded by fields, was just a short walk from the centre of the capital, Santa Cruz.
Part of the caldera which dominates the south-east of Graciosa
Miriam explores the lava rock pools at Biscoitos on the island of Terceira: will she take a dip?
Terceira, by contrast, has a large population and a wide choice of eateries. The town where we stayed has a sandy beach, which is rare in the Azores. At other points around the coast, safe bathing pools have been constructed behind walls of lava rock on which the ocean crashes endlessly. At a lakeside park in the high central plateau, a flock of wildfowl abandoned their home in order to seek richer pickings from a group of American visitors - a strategy followed by humans the world over.
There are more photos from our visit to the Azores on this page.
Brum goes the distance
For a couple of weeks during the summer Birmingham put on a magnificent show as it hosted the Commonwealth Games. We didn't have to go far to see the marathon races, since the route went along our road - through we chose to join the hospitality effort outside Christ Church, where spectators were treated to cakes and drinks. Miriam attended several other events and we both went to Coventry to see the finals of the rugby sevens.
The star of the show proved not to be any of the medal winners but the raging bull, which featured in the opening ceremony and was then put on display to admiring crowds in Centenary Square.
The women's marathon passes Christ Church
Hanna's hundred
"My mother's 100th birthday was spent in Stratford as part of a 3-day break in South Warwickshire and shared by my brother, 4 cousins, second cousins from Berlin, plus partners and all of us."
Hanna continues to amaze us all with her physical health and robustness, not even needing a stick to help get around. She was one of the first recipients of a birthday card from King Charles which attracted much interest at the celebrations she attended. Our family gathering was the first one on this scale that we have been able to hold for several years and the Ardencote Hotel was an excellent venue.
Centurion Hanna outside Shakespeare's birthplace
A moment off-air at Brumside Radio
Speaking of Stirchley
A small involvement in a local history project led to a guest appearance on a local community radio station discussing the remarkable transformation of our area. Stirchley now regularly features in "places to visit" lists, thanks especially to its growing range of independent food and drink venues. I especially enjoy the wide range of activities at Artefact café, which broadly have art or cultural themes. December saw the long-awaited return of Stirchley Community Market which packed the main hall at Stirchley Baths with eager visitors.
Either Martin or I are often volunteering at the library on Tuesday lunchtimes, especially unscrambling the Junior fiction section which defies all attempts to keep it in alphabetical order.
Teacakes and toddlers
The café-style Coffee Mates sessions run by Miriam at Christ Church have now become an important part of the Warm Welcome Space which was launched in November as a response to high fuel costs and the cost of living crisis. She also helps at the weekly Lunch Club at which Hanna is now a regular guest.
I am more involved at the opposite end of the age spectrum, putting away the larger equipment after the twice-weekly Toddler Club. I have just played the piano at the Christmas special, discovering once again how many words can be set to "The wheels on the bus".
Miriam ran a Macmillan Coffee Morning which raised over £200
There are more photos taken this year on our Photos 2022 page and my Instagram account.