If only I could understand how my mind works. I posted an incredibly late review of my 2021 on the very last day of 2022 and thought to myself that with this new “do it” attitude it would mean that within a few days I would then upload the more recent photos from the year just passed. And shock, it is already nearly mid-April and I haven’t. How did that happen?
So finally here is my 2022 review for me or you to look back on. I did the same in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
As per tradition, I talk about my cycling. For the first recorded time, my cycling miles were significantly lower. How did this happen? I cycled a total of 1,250 miles which is nearly 1000 fewer miles than last year. Where did the missed miles go? I pondered extensively.
There are a myriad of factors that led to this including some dangerous driver behaviour deterring me, the subsequent poor responses from the police but the most significant was the presence of the tram.
2022 saw me moving, twice. For the first flat, the most straight forward way for me to get to work was by bicycle and still fully engrained in my mind was cycling being the only way to get about, as it was in Wellingborough. Through the power of a section 21 no fault eviction notice, halfway through the year, I had to move for a second time. My new flat is located a street away from the tram line.
At first, I treated the tram with trepidation. The tram itself but also its tracks. I used to cycle along the road of the tram to work, with it being mainly car-free or car reduced so it was such a more pleasant and safe journey. However on two occasions, my angle of crossing the tram tracks was just not large enough and the bicycle slid from beneath me. Ouch.
The tram itself was a mysterious beast. It seemed expensive for what was a short journey from my house to town. I hesitated. On a few occasions, I needed to transport some large items and I decided it would be quicker and easier to use the tram. I used a single. And then realised the few journeys I needed it, a week pass was better value. Back and forth, back and forth. I loved it. And then I bought another. The longer a season ticket, the more economical it was so I bought a month long pass and then for the consecutive month. I still cycled but if it was due to rain or if I just did not fancy it, I got the tram.
Here is my Google Map year review from 2022:
I take a lot of photos. Below is a snapshot of my year. For a magnitude of reasons, some photos are excluded. If I go out, I try to take a photo. I worry that without that snapshot the memory of it will fade. Photos have the power to bring the mind back to the moment.
Akin to ‘If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”, I have made up a proverb that goes “If a photo is not taken, did it really happen?”.
Without further ado, here they are:
And that was my 2022!
Samuel
