Goodbye 2025 hello 2026

31st December 2025 0 By Rachael Stray

As we get ready to say goodbye 2025 and hello 2026 I thought it would be a good idea to take a look back on this year.

I started this tradition with my goodbye 2018 and hello 2019 post so I thought I’d do the same again.

Goodbye 2025 hello 2026

And just like that 2025 is coming to an end.

We started the New Year with a trip to the coast and enjoyed fish and chips despite the temperamental winter weather!

In February the three of us visited Tanfield Railway to experience a heritage steam train ride as part of its 300th-anniversary celebrations.

Afterwards we enjoyed Sunday lunch at The Woodman’s Arms.

In mid-March I I used up some annual leave and after blitzing the house I treated myself to a solo Repose & Recharge Spa Day at The Manor House Hotel and Spa, County Durham.

Over the Easter break and as part of Steve’s birthday celebrations we enjoyed a stay at Skylark luxury treehouse in Northumberland.

And we enjoyed lunch at Tea on the Train in Bellingham on Steve’s birthday.

During May half term Elsie and I spent the day exploring Hopetown Darlington musuem.

In June I succumbed to the urge to cut my hair and joined the bob crew.

Elsie turned six in July and I shared an open letter to mark her sixth birthday.

Elsie and I enjoyed a week off together in the summer holidays just us two.

For the second year running Elsie and I made our way to Wallsend Rugby Club to see Cirque Du Hilarious – and once again, it didn’t disappoint.

Then it was time for our family holiday and we enjoyed a week in Beadnell exploring the gorgeous Northumberland coastline.

We enjoyed a family day out at the newly opened Bamburgh Walled Garden, a post Alnwick Castle trip to Sarah’s Ice Cream Parlour and of course lots of time down on the beach.

During our week away we tried something a little different and booked onto a pinch-pot pumpkin workshop at Ravn Clay Pottery studio in the pretty village of Ford.

While Elsie enjoyed a week down in Skegness with Steve’s parents, we were invited for Sunday lunch at the Black Horse Beamish which was delicious!

And soon enough September rolled round and Elsie started Year 2, I wrote her a letter to mark her first day of Year 2.

Once I was back at work in mid-August I felt like I had no work life balance whatsoever!

We both took the October half term week off as holiday and this was very much-needed, we went down to stay at Steve’s parents house.

It was great to catch up with family and enjoy days out in Skegness. We even managed a bowling trip with friends.

In mid-November I enjoyed catching up with my two besties and dancing the night away watching Five at the utilita Arena in Newcastle – it was amazing.

In November I celebrated my birthday with a day date for lunch at Dodgin’s Yard it was delicious.

On the Sunday after my birthday Steve surprised me with a behind the scenes tour at the fantastic Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

We even managed an actual night out out, celebrating at an engagement party.

Our festive celebrations kicked off towards the end of November, as we went back to the Gala Durham for our second family pantomime trip to see Jack and the Beanstalk – it was amazing!

Elsie was very excited and into Christmas this year – she did lots of crafts at school and her childminders house and was signing Christmas songs around the house.

The first weekend of December we headed down to Manchester with an overnight stay in a Premier Inn, marking Elsie’s first ever hotel stay.

And the next morning we were up bright and early for our visit to Lapland UK Manchester, this was a magical storybook experience that I would highly recommend.

This year Elsie played sheep number three in her school nativity and she had lines to say.

Although she was worried about stage fright she was fantastic, speaking her lines loud and clear – we were so proud.

At mass the Sunday before Christmas, Elsie volunteered for the first time ever to read as part of children’s liturgy and she was marvellous, she held the mic and read out her lines brilliantly.

Elsie’s confidence in the last few months has grown so much – she even came to the door to speak to a neighbour all about her Christmas plans.

We enjoyed a festive day enjoying seeing Father Christmas at Beamish just the three of us this year.