Estrella: Thanks for the memories

Last night we said goodbye to 2011. In style of course, with champagne flowing and bellies filled to bursting. Today has been much about reviewing, reminiscing and enjoying the memories created over the past 12 months...

January

A month of discovery, learning self-feeding and what tactile fun can be had with lumpy porridge

February

Signalled the end of a tiring journey to my first half marathon. Completed in a respectable 2 hours and 15 minutes. An achievement indeed, one to hopefully build on in 2012

March

A third birthday this month. Enjoyed so much that he finally gave in to slumber still clutching his celebratory balloon

April

Royal history was made and enjoyed complete with patriotic face paint and little flags waved furiously at the beautiful princess on screen

May

Was a month spent enjoying the good (and not so good) British weather. Trips to the seaside made for much merriment with seaweed

June

Saw the first harvest of our veggies. Patience not being my strongest attribute (something of a weakness when trying to grow-your-own) I couldn't resist pulling one of the babies up to see how they were coming along. Did this little guy a favour as it happened. His brothers and sisters sadly perished thanks to the dreaded root fly

July

Another birthday, this time for an excited 2 year old and the start of months of gorilla spotting around Bristol to celebrate Bristol Zoo's 175th birthday

August

Provides one of the biggest events in the Bristol calendar, the international balloon fiesta. Sadly, I didn't get any snaps of the festival itself but the wind was in our favour and I did capture the salt-and-pepper sky as the balloons came over our house

September

Provided us with a last opportunity to soak up the Indian summer sun. We took a trip to Slimbridge and made the most of the water park in the late summer heat

October

I picked up this little chap from a farm shop and as well as a (probably not so) spooky Halloween lantern, he provided pumpkin bread, muffins and a delicious soup, all for about £1.50. Who says you can't eat well on a budget?