One Today

I'm so so happy to be able to sit here and write that New Girl in Toon is one today!

I now can't imagine my life without having this lovely little place to play.  I have loved my first year of blogging so much and I'm so thankful to each and every one of you who have shared my journey, watched me eat yet another afternoon tea and left such lovely comments on my posts.

Blogging is hard work, and it's a hobby that you end up completely dedicating yourself to.  It is also the best hobby in the world and I'm so glad that I've discovered it.

Moving to a new part of the country has been difficult at times, I'm 5 hours away from my family and friends back in Norwich and 3 hours away from friends in London.   I miss them all so much but my blog has really helped me to embrace my new life. 

At times New Girl In Toon has made me step way out of my comfort zone, I'm a very shy and at times unconfident person, which isn't easy to overcome when you're living in a new city.  New Girl has pushed me to be brave - I've met new people, walked into rooms full of strangers and been invited to local events.  At times I've shocked myself at the things I've managed to do.

The North East has a wonderful blogging community and I'd like to thank each and every local blogger for welcoming me.    Feeling a part of something in my new home has been so important to me.

Lastly I really have to say how much I owe to my boyfriend, Simon.  He's been so supportive of my blog since the day I announced I wanted to start it.  He patiently lets his food go cold whilst I photograph it, interrupts what he's doing to proof read my posts, gives me the courage to attend blogger events even though I'm always terrified, allows me to drag him on adventures with my camera and takes endless photos of me.  

It's been really fun to have a read through my blog and to look back on all the things that I've done in my first year in the North East.  I thought I'd share a few of my favourite posts with you from the past year:

Picnic in the Park - when I first announced to my friends in the South that I was moving I got quite a few "but it always rains up North" comments.   The North East went on to have an amazing Summer and this is one of my favourite memories, a picnic in my favourite spot Saltwell Park

Durham Day Trip - Durham is one of my favourite places to visit and has popped up on the blog a few times over the last 12 months.  It was the perfect place to take my friend  Lauren when she came up for a visit.

Cakes Taste Better on a Perfect Purple Sofa - I think we all know that I'm a bit of an afternoon tea fan.  This trip to the  Hotel Indigo was one of the first afternoon teas to feature on my blog and was a wonderful afternoon spent with my friend Kate eating cake and drinking cocktails.

Sunny Rhodes - Simon and I had our first holiday abroad together and obviously I had to share it all with you.  I look back at these photos all the time, they make me so happy.

Saltwell's Secret Keeper - Enchanted Parks was one of the highlights of Christmas, we spent a lovely few hours strolling around enjoying the amazing lighting displays and had the most gorgeous hot chocolates, this was the night our obsession with caramel hot chocolate began!

Coming Home -  I now really do see the North East as my home and returning from a trip to see the Angel of the North saying "welcome home" is always special.

A birthday of course calls for cake, so I give you all permission to buy yourself a huge slab of something delicious today! 

Thank you so much to you all for being so lovely to me during my first year of blogging, and here's to the next year!

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