Towards the end of 2015 I decided to start rounding up what I’ve been up to each month: our travels, weekend adventures, blogging, and general life. I did mean to begin this in November, but the ‘general life’ part got in the way.
So, new year, new start and all that. And what a start it’s been:
- On January 1 we woke up for the first time in our new home in Dartmouth after moving from Hampshire. The rest of January has been spent unpacking and putting up pictures
- I (insert Mr Tin Box) have set up our new office so I can start working from home once I finish my maternity leave in February
- The Tin Box girls have both started a new nursery and are settling in wonderfully
- On the days when I have the girls we have been checking out the local parent and toddler groups. We’ve found some lovely ones in the area
- There’s already a lot of family visits on our calendar, as well as work commitments. 2016 is already looking busy!
Travel
- Like a lot of families we have spent a great deal of January planning our 2016 travels and not so much time doing any. However we have some amazing trips coming up in the next few months, including a cruise on the Carnival Vista – eek!
- Even travel comes with its own dull but essential admin. Something that I have sorted out this month is our annual travel insurance. I found a great deal through Money Saving Expert and can recommend looking there first if you need individual or family insurance. We saved quite a few pounds
Image credit: Carnival Vista image courtesy of Carnival Cruises
Adventures
- Dartmouth – we’ve been exploring our new area, which is a bustling coastal town with history dating back to the Crusades
- Dartmouth Castle – this is the closest English Heritage property to us, so while we still felt like tourists we paid it a visit
- Beaches – there haven’t been many bright days in January, but when the rain has held off long enough we’ve gone for walks on some of our local beaches. This has inspired a new series of blog posts.
On the blog
- I took a blogging break over Christmas and New Year while we celebrated with our families and moved house. While my stats took a hit I was excited to get back to my blog this month
- Speaking of stats, in January I was ranked 40th in the Trips100, 283rd in the Tots100 and my best position in the Parent Blogger Leaderboard by Rise was 142nd. I know stats aren’t the be all and end all but I find them a useful bench mark
- I’ve used January to launch and revive some features on the blog, starting with my #TravelTimehop series which is now accepting guest posts from other bloggers. I’m also going to be posting about Devon beach walks at least monthly
- It’s been a great pleasure to write for some other blogs that I admire as well. In January I have guest posted and contributed to Mum in Brum, Baby Globetrotters and Kid-friendly Europe 101.
So, January is a wrap! February is looking just as busy with me starting back at work part-time, some important family birthdays and plans to move Tin Box Traveller from Blogger to WordPress.
How was your January? I’d love the hear what travels and adventures you’ve been getting up to.
Read my February diary next.
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Natalie Ray
Monday 1st of February 2016
Ooh exciting about the big move to wordpress! Now, that is tragic. I was reading your post thinking about how exciting your cruise was and then got distracted by your move to wordpress... I have been blogging too long! Thanks for featuring me on your blog this month, I was honoured :)
Dean B
Saturday 30th of January 2016
I haven't announced it on the blog yet, but we might be moving house soon! That is, if our house sale doesn't fall through (it's been such a saga!)... So fingers crossed ;) Your list is certainly looking busy :)