My 2023 in Review – Personal Growth and Memorable Events
I haven’t written a personal post in a very long time. So, with 2023 being a year of many ups and downs. Lots of personal growth and memorable events, I felt it was about time to start using this blog again as it was intended. A documentation of my life, family and personal stuff (although, not too personal, eh?!).
Table of Contents
Personal Growth in 2023
It hasn’t been an easy year personally. It was supposed to start out as a trip for Ross and I back in January which went pear-shaped, on to leaks in our bathroom, challenges from a number of companies including Vodafone and Sky (poor comms companies anyone?!), a car accident for Ross and Rex in the Summer, and then a very sad loss for my family at the end of the year, it really has been a year of difficulties and one where I have had to make a lot of personal growth to take on the challenges thrown at me.
My photography business in 2023
2023 has seen my photography business expand, evolve and include a new sector. Schools. And I absolutely LOVE it! I didn’t realise just how much energy I have in capturing kids and trying to help bring out their characters. One of the schools told me that a parent had told them that they had never seen their child looking so relaxed in a school photograph. Another emailed me to direct to say that they cried emotional tears of joy seeing their child’s school photograph. I have had some wonderful feedback and have already added another 2 schools to my portfolio this year.
One of the defining moments of my school photography has been capturing a school of special needs children. A challenge which was so rewarding and relationships which have become some of my favourites formed this year.
I have once again photographed a number of weddings this year and it is so very rewarding to get the feedback from such an important day and see them all using the images as their profile and cover pictures on social media – and then on memorable occasions. What a legacy!
I once again won South West Wedding Photographer of the year with the Prestige Awards. This is the third time! I also attended the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards back in March and took away a trophy for making the finals.
I became a preferred supplier with another venue this year – with thanks to Alison at Creative Collections – in the form of DoubleTree Hilton by Cadbury House in Congresbury, Bristol and have ventured there A LOT in 2023. They are also the first on my list in 2024 with their wedding fair taking place on Sunday 7th January 2024.
My Month by Month Memorable Events from 2023
January
At the end of January Ross and I were supposed to take a trip to Center Parcs in Elveden with his parents coming to stay with the children. Instead, I got poorly the weekend before and, even more serious, Rex caught scarlet fever. As a result we postponed our trip (cross fingers for the end of this January!) and stayed at home to convalesce with our son.
February
February was all about marketing my photography with wedding fairs at both Cadbury House and Crowcombe Court. I also captured a brand shoot for Nehar and her new business as well as Simply Commerce in Wokingham. We took the trip to Wokingham as a chance to see both Ross’ sister and her family and some members of my family too.
March
From a business perspective, March was all about a couple of brand shoots including some head shots for Sarah at Crewkerne Taxis, a surprise proposal at – and my first visit to – Woolhanger Estate. I also attended the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards, found out I had made the shortlist in the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards, and had a model call for school photography.
From a personal perspective, we celebrated Mothers Day with a visit to East Somerset Railway. With Rex already having dressed as Harry Potter for World Book Day, he wore the costume again in a bid to recreate a trip on the Hogwarts Express!
April
April saw my first wedding of the year. This took place on Maundy Thursday and was beautifully decorated by Alison at Creative Collections with an Easter theme. I also captured a wedding in Bournemouth and achieved some photography bucket list moments – a wedding couple on the beach. This was thanks to Kara at Chelseamamma who recommended me to her sister-in-law. There was also a chance to meet up with Kerry and Robert at Hope Farm ahead of their wedding which was to take place at the end of June as well as Chelsea and Dean – whose wedding I had captured the previous September – as they had just celebrated the arrival of their newborn son.
From a personal perspective, Ross, Grace and I attended the gala performance of Newsies – a brilliant musical. There were some amazing dance routines – and you can find my full review here:
I had my usual bet on the Grand National and this is how we placed:
- Corach Rambler – me
- Vanillier – me
- Gaillard Du Mesnil
- Noble Yeats – me
- The Big Dog
- Born by the Sea
- Roi Mage
- Mister Coffey – Rex
We also managed to secure tickets for Eurovision!! A once in a lifetime opportunity.
May
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 – in Liverpool
Initially, we were unsuccessful in booking anything. Ross (in his infinite wisdom) had gone around booking refundable hotel rooms in all the potential cities WAY ahead of time. As a result, we had two nights on the outskirts of Liverpool on the Friday and Saturday night of Eurovision.
There was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity of at least being in the city where Eurovision was being held so, I booked to see the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra playing Eurovision hits on the Friday night. This was hosted by Radio 2’s Owain Wyn Evans and the ticket included a tin of prosecco brought to your seat! Then I got tickets to the Eurovision Village for the Saturday as well as tickets to the Bierkeller in the evening to watch the final.
We persevered with trying to get tickets and got some for the Friday night’s jury show. I tried (unsuccessfully) to sell the Orchestra tickets. Then, unexpectedly, two weeks before Eurovision, there were more tickets released and, after a bit of a kerfuffle, I managed to get two for the Saturday afternoon! This meant I kept the tickets we had for the Philharmonic, sold the tickets I had to the Eurovision Village for the final (to a VERY grateful couple) and then kept the tickets we had for the Bierkeller.
We arrived at our hotel around lunchtime – via a Harvester – after listening to Ross’ favourite 100 songs on the way up. After checking in, we got changed into our first Eurovision outfit of the weekend and made our way into the city via the overground. We couldn’t get into the Eurovision Village – it was free and VERY full! – so we had a wonder around taking in the amazing atmosphere.
We walked to the Philharmonic hall to take our seat for a night of Eurovision hits – and it was totally fantastic! The singers they had were very talented and there was some great music from a number of different Eurovision years.
On the Saturday we went to the city earlier and went straight to the M&S arena ready to take our sits for the final rehearsal of the final before the evening show. What a spectacle it was! Ross and I couldn’t quite believe we were actually there!
Then, in the evening, we had already pre-booked our drinks and food and took our seats (or not!) in the Bierkeller. It wasn’t long before the joint was rocking and everyone was standing on benches, singing at the top of our lungs!
There is a bigger post all about Eurovision to follow!
The rest of May
The beginning of May saw the coronation of King Charles III. I made a lovely big coronation lunch and we watched the ceremony on TV. Rex did, inevitably get bored, so Ross kindly took him out so I could watch without interruption! I am much more of a Royalist than him! Rex had Kings and Queens Day at school and dressed up as King Arthur.
It also saw my 52nd birthday. As I had kind of felt cheated out of my 50th by Covid, I viewed Eurovision as my big celebration!
Grace started her GCSE’s and I did my first job as a school photographer.
June
June was a really busy month. I photographed the Bath and West Show (and some of my work was featured on their website), we went to Longleat Safari Park for Fathers Day and caught some of their Summer Spectacular including performances from The Wurzels and The Lightning Seeds. Rex turned 6 years old. I photographed the wedding of Josie and Christoph – and released (whilst I was there) that the Groom was Christoph Klauke – a rather well known photographer! My nephew, Elliott, celebrated his 21st birthday – which was really a really important milestone given his disabilities.
There was also the end of Grace’s exams together with her prom. We had a bit of a joke about this as Grace shared my birthday with her exams, Rex’s birthday with her prom and Ross’ birthday with her GCSE results! Her final exam – and last day at school – was on 16th June.
July
Another busy month! I captured both Rex’s Summer fete and Somerstock on the same day. It was a manic weekend as I got back from Somerstock around 11pm, started editing, went to bed at 1am, got up at 6am, edited, left for a wedding fair, got home at 4pm and collected Rex, got home, packed to go to Spain, put Rex to bed, carried on editing and finished around 2.30am. In the meantime, Grace and Ross got back at 3am – Grace had been to BST in Hyde Park to see Lana Del Rey. We packed the car, got Rex up, and left to go to Bournemouth Airport to fly to Spain at 6am! We were off to stay with Ross’ parents.
Spain was coping with a big heatwave and, whilst we were there, the temperature was in the late 30s/early 40s every day! We had an amazing time and spent most afternoons in the pool. Grace and I also had the opportunity to experience a natural mud bath at Baños de lodo.
“The mud from the Charcas is the result of centuries of sun action and the highly salinity waters of the Mar Menor. The result is a mud that, applied to the skin, has great therapeutic value in all kinds of conditions: rheumatism, arthritis, gout, skin pathologies, rehabilitation after bone fractures, throat, etc. The ideal complement to the treatment is to take a bath in the mineralized waters of the Mar Menor.”
I captured a very wet wedding in Taunton during the latter part of the month. Grace joined me for this one and worked for the second time as a wedding coordinator. I had a really proud mum moment during this time. She was standing at the hall door waiting to greet the bride and groom. The groom had an umbrella and could not see where to put it down. I heard Grace say to him ‘I can take that for you sir’ with her arm stretched out. It is moments like that I realise I have done a good job as a parent!
At the end of July, I went to stay in Southampton to capture some Graduation photography for Tempest – although I spent most of my time on the sales desk! I stayed in the Holiday Inn outside of the centre and, for one of the nights, I was joined by my mum and stepdad, Ian, for a meal and a chat. It was lovely to have them to myself without any interruption from children!
August
The tide started to turn a little this month as it was a real mixed bag. I captured a number of weddings and Grace stayed at home with me. We took the opportunity to go and see Oppenheimer at the cinema (Grace had seen the Barbie movie the week before). It was also the month where we saw the Lionesses get to the World Cup final.
Unfortunately, at the start of their road trip, Ross and Rex were involved in a car accident where a vehicle ran into the back of them. Not only has this had repercussions on Rex being scared ever since, it also affected Ross and his health. He already suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and it really took his toll on him.
Ross, Rex, Grace and I went up to London on the Sunday. We were supposed to see the Smeds and the Smoos but were stuck on a replacement bus for way over the start time! We gave up on the bus, disembarked and travelled the Elizabeth line to go to Hamleys. We had booked an afternoon tea for Grace and I and we then went to see Heathers the musical whilst Ross and Rex went back to our hotel in Wokingham. The next day, both kids stayed with my parents as Ross and I both did a work thing. I went over to Berkshire to meet up with Hayley and Matt. Hayley is the daughter of someone I used to work with when I lived in Sunninghill and it was a real pleasure to be asked to photograph her wedding day in 2025.
After our work day, I collected Ross and we went back to my mums to collect the children. I can remember seeing my stepdad, Ian, looking quite poorly. He definitely wasn’t himself. I asked him to make sure that he looked after himself. Little did I know that it would be the last time we saw him.
We celebrated Ross’ 46th birthday together with Grace’s GCSE results at DoubleTree Hilton by Cadbury House hotel. I had done a lot of work for them this year and they were able to look after me in return. We had a lovely meal. Even though Grace didn’t quite get the results she wanted, we would proud of her nonetheless.
September
Grace had been accepted onto the courses she wanted at Exeter College and Rex started Year 2. I captured a couple of surprise proposals, my first gay wedding and some school photography. It really was a month of getting back into the swing of things.
October
This is the month of 2023 that I will never forget. 7 days that I will always describe as ‘the week from hell’.
At the end of September, our BMW was confirmed as a right-off following the accident in August. We did think we might get away with being a one car family but soon realised that this was impractical! We searched for a new car and eventually settled on getting a second Mazda 5. Ross found one in West Sussex which the dealer delivered to our local garage where we had it checked over. It was fine – or so we thought. That evening it was touchy about starting but seemed fine.
The following week was half term. I had contacted my mum the previous week who had expressed concern for Ian. Despite the fact that they had been together for nearly 27 years, they had their own houses. Ian had his place to go and watch his war films and mum had her own space. Mum explained to me that he had collapsed when he went to leave to go home and she had brought him back inside to her place. The following day he wanted to go back to his. She and my brother helped him. Mum told me that he had seen a doctor and had another appointment booked for the following week. I suggested that they ring NHS Direct. We then arranged to meet for her birthday on Tuesday 24th October and Grace and I would pop in to see Ian if he was up to having visitors.
On the Sunday of half term, just before we left in our new car, I spotted a Sparrow Hawk in our garden. It was beautiful and majestic and I managed to grab my camera and capture it. I found it beautiful. Call me odd if you like, but after what happened next I now see that as a sign of death.
We arrived at our hotel near Dartford on the Sunday evening. Our plan was to see Ross’ Aunt who lives in Hastings. Sylvia is 88 and we hadn’t seen her since before the pandemic. Then, we were going to go back to our hotel and on to see my mum for her birthday on the Tuesday, stopping in to see my brother and his family as his daughter, Poppy (my niece), shared her birthday with my mum. Then my sister, Davina and her children were going to join us for lunch.
We set off on the M25 to Hastings with me driving. No sooner had we started than the car went into limp mode. I came off the motorway and, coincidentally, the Mazda head office was on a business park that we went onto. They had no technicians so directed us to a Mazda garage a 10 minute drive away in Crayford.
Arriving there, on first inspection the mechanics believed that our diesel engine had petrol in it. Ross had filled it up from empty the previous day and we checked in with the fuel station. They confirmed it was definitely diesel we had used. We had to leave the car with the garage. We rang the dealer we had bought it from to give them the heads up as it was still under warranty and walked 10 minutes into Crayford town centre. We had our 2nd MacDonalds of 3 that week (!) and took a look round the shops, picking up some presents from Smyths toys. The garage rang to say that it was either the fuel injectors or the onboard computer. By this point we had lost confidence in the car so we rang the dealer and said that we would like our money back. They agreed to cover our hire car, cost of the taxi to pick it up and asked us to leave the car with the garage in Crayford as it would be easier to get it back to West Sussex from there.
By this point, Ross was having a fibro flare. Grace stayed with him in Sainsburys whilst Rex helped me choose a jumper for my mum’s birthday. I then got a taxi from there to the hire car company (I had booked this whilst sitting in MacDonalds earlier!) and Grace helped Ross and Rex back to the garage to wait for me.
It took me an hour to get to the hire car company as there had been an accident at Dartford tunnel. Upon arriving at the hire car company, I went outside to go over the vehicle with a member of staff and, as we did, the woman next to us backed into another car! Finally, I got on the road and got back to the garage just as they were closing. We emptied our car of our belongings and ventured off to Hastings – agreeing that we had come all this way already!
A Trip to Hastings
We reached Hastings around 8.15pm and took Ross’ Aunt out for dinner. It was a lovely meal and we had a great catch up, taking photographs of Sylvia with the children and with Ross. We left around 11am with the expectation of getting back to the hotel around 12.15am. We actually got back around 1.30am as the slip road to the motorway was closed just where our hotel was – so we had to make a big diversion!
The Day Everything Changed
The next morning I woke around 8.45am and, with everyone else still asleep, I texted my mum to let her know that we may be running late and wish her a Happy Birthday. She came back to me to say that she was worried about Ian as she hadn’t heard from him. This was SO unlike him. Especially as it was her birthday. I suggested she get someone to go round to his or get someone to take her there (she doesn’t really drive much these days).
We packed our things up and put them in the car, then went to the Co-Op across the road to pick up some breakfast. I also bought some really nice Ginger Stem biscuits for Ian. As we left the shop, I had a text from my mum asking me to go to Davina’s house. She was at Ian’s with an ambulance. I remember thinking ‘thank goodness someone is finally seeing him!’ and called Davina to let her know.
We started to get sorted and get in the car. I was the only one insured to drive the car and, as I sat in the drivers seat about to turn on the ignition, my phone rang. It was Davina. She was crying so hard and told me that Ian had died.
Ross has since told me that he will never forget the noise I made as I shouted ‘No’ when I heard the news. I can remember seeing Grace in tears and Ross putting his hand on my arm. Poor Rex didn’t really know what to do. I sat still talking to Davina. She wasn’t sure what to do about her children and said that her partner was on his way home from work. Calmly, I suggested that she wait until he got there. It wouldn’t be long and the kids were fine downstairs watching television. Ross got Rex out of the car and Grace stayed in with me. As I finished the phone call I went round to cuddle Grace. I also rang my sister, Stephanie to let her know.
Driving to Woking was one of the strangest, numbest journeys I have ever done. We arrived at my brother, Olly’s house. Davina was with my mum at Ian’s house with the police. Olly had already been there. I left my family with Olly and his wife and children, and went to see mum and Davina at Ians.
When I arrived, I just gave my sister and my mum the biggest hugs. Mum told me that Ian was still there so, taking a deep breath, I went up to see him. Having seen my Uncle in the chapel of rest back when I was 19, I was really apprehensive. It scared me then and, this time, seeing my dad laying on his bed, lifeless, scared me again. I had to remind myself he wasn’t there so I told him that I would not remember him this way. I would remember him as the loving, kindly man I always saw and not him lying here, cold, in his bed. But, I am so glad that I got the chance to see him to say goodbye.
What happened for the rest of that day was so surreal. I went back to Ollys. They were taking Poppy out swimming for her birthday so our family went back to my mums house and then, as it was a sunny afternoon, we went for a walk to Waitrose on Goldsworth Park. Rex played on the climbing frame and we shared a sandwich, sitting on the bench. It felt weird to watch people carrying on as normal. As if nothing had happened.
I felt for my mum. When we got back to her house, my sisters Stephanie and Davina were there, as was my brother Jeremy. We picked up a MacDonalds for my mum and sang her Happy Birthday. It felt weird.
Our family was due to go home that afternoon but, instead we spent the night at my mums and went home the next day.
November
Along with leaks in our bathroom and me grieving for my dad, I struggled. I captured my final school photography of the year, I exhibited at a wedding fair at Crowcombe Court and I also found out I won South West Wedding Photographer of the Year with the Prestige Awards.
During the first full week of November, we managed to find another car. It was purely by coincidence. Ross and I agreed that this time we would go and look at cars. I found one we liked on eBay. It was in Crewkerne so we messaged the seller and, not only were they just up the road, but the guy was the Uncle of a woman who was married to someone Ross went to school with in Berkshire! Small world! The Peugeot 5008 was perfect – and the latter part of it’s registration number are my initials!
Center Parcs Longleat
On the week of the 13th November we went on our planned break to Center Parcs and their Winter Wonderland. We had a lovely time and some much needed time away. Ross, Rex and I went on the first part of the holiday on our own and Grace joined us on the Tuesday evening. However, she could not get to us due to cattle on the trainline! I have to say that ever since Grace started Exeter College, the trains have been a complete nightmare. There always seems to be something!
Grace was joining us with her friend, Amy. Amy’s godparents kindly dropped both girls off at Cartgate after they managed to get the train as far as Crewkerne. I went out and picked them up.
Center Parcs really was a place for me to reflect and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. On one of the days I came back to our lodge on my own, there was a deer sitting down outside the back on the mound of earth outside our patio door. I took plenty of photographs!
The week before we went to Center Parcs, I wrote a poem dedicated to my dad. As Ian’s sons – Christian and Andrew – were organising his funeral, they agreed that I could stand up and deliver this at his funeral.
Ian’s funeral
We said goodbye to my stepdad on Tuesday 21st November at 10am at Woking Crematorium. Grace and I drove up the night before and stayed overnight with my mum. I am so glad we did. Ross dropped Rex with our neighbours – whose children go to the same school as Rex – and drove the 2 hours to meet us. We made sure that he had the Peugeot as this had the SatNav he needed.
My mum, Grace and I got ready and were glad of not having to wait around all day. We waited as long as we could for Ross and, as we drove over to pick up my Uncle Colin (my mum’s brother), Ross came around the corner – so we all went in one car.
We arrived at the Crematorium. I had had a framed print of Ian made up and delivered to my mums. I set that up in the chapel with 3 aeroplane balloons that I had filled with helium in the Factory Shop in Crewkerne the day before.
Seeing all my family was really bittersweet. We were joined by family friends, Eleanor and Pamela, and by Ian’s two sons. They both seemed really reluctant to interact with us – something that I will never understand as we always wanted to include them but each to their own I guess.
I nearly lost it as they played ‘How We Love’ by Beth Nielsen Chapman as we went in. I stayed back with my mum and Davina and Ian’s two sons BUT I kept my nerve so completely as I delivered my poem to the Chapel. There was a montage of photographs of Ian through his life accompanied by ‘In My Life’ by The Beatles. Some of the retired servicemen from the Farnborough Air and Science Museum had joined us. They were bearing the RAF standard as Ian used to serve with them. They marched ahead of the funeral car. And, before we all said our goodbyes, they lowered the standard.
As we left and each said our goodbyes, they played The Dambusters.
We went on to Gorse Hill for the wake. We were joined there by many lovely people including Steph’s best friend and her family, Debbie. Ian used to work for her rental company. The staff were there from the FAST museum and we had some amazing conversations with them. We were also joined by Ian’s Aunt, Yvonne, who had come up from Kent. Disappointingly, neither of Ian’s sons came or gave us any indication that they weren’t coming.
All of my siblings were there – and it had been a while since we had been in the same room together. My sister, Cressida, and her partner, Oli, had even flown back from Japan where they were currently living. It really was a good opportunity to take a photograph of us all together.
Grace and Ross left for home after dropping Colin home and then me and my mum back at her house. I stayed with my mum and, the following morning, I picked up Colin again, went to the Crematorium to pick up some of the flowers and then went to meet Davina, Cressida and Oli for brunch before I drove back to Somerset.
At the end of the month, I had my last beautiful wedding of the year.
December
The last month of the year was fairly quiet for me. I had Christmas parties to photograph at Cadbury House each weekend. I photographed a surprise proposal at the Luttrell Arms in Dunster during the week of some really bad floods in Somerset. Grace’s train had been cancelled the day before and I had to rescue her and two of her friends from Honiton. There had been a landslide at the Crewkerne tunnel and no trains were running. Then, on the Wednesday afternoon, Rex’s school confirmed that they would be closed on the Thursday due to the weather warning. Given what happened with all the rain, it was a sensible decision!
On the 8th December, Ross’ parents came to stay with the kids as, finally, Ross and I got a weekend to ourselves. Not without incident though! I had a phone call to say that Ian’s Aunt, Yvonne, passed away the day before. Her friend had been trying to get hold of people to let them know and managed to get hold of my number.
That evening, Ross and I went to a Bad Santa party in Weston Super Mare. We had a great time! We stayed at Cadbury House Hotel and Ross managed to sleep most of the next day after a lovely breakfast. We spent the afternoon in the Spa and I then photographed the party in the evening. The next day we went home and, after Ross’ parents had left, we put up the Christmas decorations with the children.
The following weekend – after the kids had broken up – we once again stayed at Cadbury House. In the afternoon, Grace stayed at the hotel whilst Ross, Rex and I made use of our Puxton Park annual pass. The next day, Ross, Rex and I were back at Puxton Park for a Santa visit and then I photographed the Lunch with Santa at Puxton Park.
In Ian’s memory, we had two bricks laid at Farnborough Air and Science Museum. So, my family, together with my brother, Olly and his family, my sister, Davina and her children and my mum and my uncle all visited on Thursday 21st December for a tour and to see the bricks. We then went for lunch.
Christmas was spent at home with Ross’ parents joining us. Rex has been a bit poorly but, in all, it has been a quiet Christmas and New Year. Much needed.
Ross and I have continued our shows on Radio Ninesprings. My photography business is going strong and, despite the personal difficulties this year, there is much to be thankful for – and much to look forward to.
