I want to say “and don’t let the door hit you on the way out”, but I can’t.

While 2016 has truly been rotten in many, many ways, it’s also been a great year for me, personally, as long as I don’t think very hard about the twin mournful slumps I had after BREXIT and the US election. Or all the horrible things happening in Syria and the terrorism throughout Europe. Or the sad moments every time an icon died.

Is it even ok to talk about the good things? I feel like I have survivor’s guilt. But then, I’ve had enough shitty years over my life that I think it’s ok to have a good one, especially one in which some hard-won, deeply-cherished goals have been met.

So I’m going to be positive, and if you feel like sharing my happiness, stick around. I’ll understand if you don’t. But there’s an otter eating breakfast at the end…

• Setttled into village life in Chapel Allerton, with easy access to the city centre of Leeds; the compact foodie and shopping heaven I’ve always dreamed of
• Temped (very) regularly at one of the colleges in Leeds, where I’ve made some amazing friends
• Sat, mute with tears of happiness, during Jeff’s final recital for his masters, which he (of course) smashed. I’m so proud of him!
• Had a great Bonfire Night weekend
• Pulled off a pretty boss Christmas dinner
• Cried over every icon who died, but also rediscovered some amazing music and films in their honour
• Learned how to knit
• Took some amazing Yorkshire walks – but also feel like I’ve merely scratched the surface
• Flirted with a Glaswegian after drinking whisky
• Took three old-fashioned steam train trips; I’m good now
• Visited London enough times to know my way around, but still feel the magic every time I step off the train at King’s Cross
• Launched the UK version of my proofreading and copyediting business, heatherhewer.com (tell your friends and colleagues!)
• Still can’t get the hang of “Alright?” “Yeah, alright” as a greeting. What is wrong with me?