Amazed I’ve stuck at it for over 12 years

Crumbs, I almost forgot to tell you about this event. On March 29^th last month I reached a surprising milestone. I entered my thirteenth year writing contributions to this blog.

That I’ve managed to entertain you sufficiently, my dear readers, that you continue to return to read the meanderings of my simple brain is enormously humbling.

A few facts about the blog since it began on March 26^th 2007:  6970 blog posts written, just under 1,120, 000 views, and over 1,300 followers through a variety of social media platforms. Most days the blog attracts 350 – 400 views, and then it shoots up to over 700. I’ve no idea why. Some blog posts take me a long time to compose, and yet attract few views, while others, on which I’ve spent far less effort, attract huge number of views.

Ah well, my dear wife says it keeps me occupied.

My thanks to all who read here.

PS. Note, in the photo, the essential cup of tea to keep me going.

A hiatus yes; a cessation no

Having been writing articles here, short or long, since March 2007, I’m thinking you may allow me a short hiatus.

But that’s what it is, a brief reflective interlude. I will continue writing here. In the almost 7,000 blog posts over the last 12 years, there are topics that retain my interest, which I feel that I should add to.

Tempting though it’s been, I’ll not be passing my opinion of the state of play with Brexit.

PS. How I’d love to aspire to Dickensian brilliance. I’ll settle for interesting topics, written without cliché, and an occasional insight of some kind. Wish me luck as I approach my thirteenth year of blogging.

Focus almost fully regained

We had a lovely Christmas holiday in Southern France, based in Aix en Provence, and visiting Arles, Toulon and Marseille. The weather was wonderful, clear blue skies every day, with day time temperatures in the high teens, in centigrade.

Developed a man cold on our return – wives/girlfriends you’ll know how serious that is. A cold for a blogger, like me, means questioning the value of what I may write.

This week I’ve listened to two talks, both by optimistic and enthusiatic speakers [more on them later], which has lifted me out of my self imposed lethargy, also, I’ve pretty much beaten my cold, so expect some words from me.

 

Life gets in the way ….

Life gets in the way of my blogging. I hope you find articles of interest. Back soon.

 

Choosing between blogging or preparing for bulb planting

So often I’ve been late for bulb planting, not so this year. Spent today making room for bulbs in the front garden in preference to writing articles here.

Not quite finished in my preparations. Now thinking about what to plant, which daffodils, and should I also plant some tulips? Helpful suggestions re daffodil varieties would be appreciated. Have a preference for the smaller types, and the yellower the better.

It’s August and I’m slowing down

I promise to write a blog or two, though it’s August, and it’s the time for taking it slowly.

Dear readers, a million thank you’s

June was a record month for this blog, attracting over 17,000 page views by nearly 8,000 visitors. The blog had been inching toward the significant total of 1,000,000 page views, but then, as I say, visitors numbers to this blog in June propelled it to the million target.

A view is counted when a visitor loads or reloads a page. A visitor is counted when we [WordPress] notes a user or browser for the first time in a given period (day, week, month).

This blog began in March 2007, starting slowly, and now is over 11 years old. It seems that other blogs I encounter with a life of 10 years or more are coming to and end. For me it’s not a duty, but a hobby.