To be honest, I was in two minds, whether to even write a review this year, but, this has been a particularly important milestone in my life, so it is necessary to include it. Generally one could sum up 2020 in one word 'COVID,' the one thing that has dominated all our lives and the one thing that just keeps on giving. This has been a memorable year for sure, but for all the wrong reasons and this isn't a period I want to repeat in the future. 2020 has been like a large dark cloud hovering over my head for nearly twelve months, rather like periods of depression I have suffered in the past, and it is a reminder of everything I have lost, in fact everything we have all lost. This was the year none of us want to remember and a time we all want to forget!

The last time I saw Darrell was in November 2019, when he returned home to be with his Mother, after a short stay in the UK. By January 2020, we were planning our next trip to see one another in Japan and Thailand. In February our flights were booked, itinerary finalised, and we were ready for our next holiday in Asia. At the beginning of the year, COVID-19 was a problem on the other side of the World and by the time we were due to meet, it would have disappeared. Little could I have known then, just what position I would be in today. I was optimistic about the future all those months ago and looking forward to seeing my husband once again, however dreams can shatter as quickly as they appear and circumstances destroy 'best laid plans of mice and men.'

This first quarter of the year was a far cry from the World we live in today. Things were relatively normal and like Darrell, I was in good spirits. This was short-lived; the pandemic took hold in Europe and then Britain; the tide began to change. As a country, we kept our boarders open, while Darrell's home country of Australia closed theirs. Death rates began to rise dramatically, and I felt myself falling into a situation I couldn't resolve. By the time of the first lockdown, I was feeling worn out and tired, as new social distancing measures were brought in. My working life changed markedly and the air was thick with anxiety, as all of us fought our own battles to overcome the 'new normal' we were all living through.

At the end of March, I suddenly lost my sense of taste and smell, along with several other colleagues. At the time this wasn't a recognised symptom of Coronavirus and although I knew there was something up, I carried on, very much in the same vein as I had before. Always obsessive, like I am today, I sanitized my hands every few minutes and kept as wider distance from others as I could. This virus was scaring the hell out of me; the more days that passed, the more we found out about this infection and the more apprehensive I became. Daily press conferences, twenty-four hour rolling news and scenes of sheer panic in hospitals, reinforced the nations respect for the National Health Service, as we clapped for carers every Thursday night. These were strange, unnerving and daunting days.

At the beginning of April, as I awoke one morning, after a sleepless night, I felt my temperature rising and my breathing more laboured. I immediately phoned 111 and described my symptoms. They were not classic COVID symptoms as we know them today, but they were enough for me to have to self-isolate for a week. After just a few days I felt well and able to return to work after my stretch of quarantine. People ask me today, if they think I had the virus, to which I reply 'yes, I think so.' You have to remember there were no tests available at the time and a loss of taste and smell wasn't recognised as a symptom like it is today. If I had to hazard a guess as to my condition, I would say it was virus related, but I am cautious. As someone who has many of the 'red flags' for a far worse reaction to COVID, I would have expected a more severe manifestation; that makes me unsure as to the reasons behind my anosmia; only time will tell.

I spent the summer walking across the city of Portsmouth; with time on my hands I was able to explore this great naval city I now call home. I decided to cut my hours at work and only go in when absolutely required to do so, protecting myself at every juncture. This allowed me time to myself and although I felt terribly lonely on occasion, I was grateful for the chance to do things I wouldn't normally have done. The three-month national lockdown improved my level of fitness, but left my mental state in tatters. Isolated, with very little human contact, I did my best to get through the difficulties, as I still do today.

The rest of the year, after lockdown has been much the same - in and out of quarantine, pubs reopening and closing, stopping and starting work, 'Eat Out To Help Out,' (which probably made the virus worse) and mistake after mistake from the powers that be. I have really lost all sense of reality over the last few months, unable to understand just what rules we have to follow, how many people we can have in our 'bubble,' or what all the different tier restrictions mean. After, what I can only describe as the 'continuing Government fiasco,' I have learnt to do what I think is best and always follow my own instincts. I have started to ignore the official wishy-washy approach to this virus and do all I can to look after number one. I always wear a mask, clean my hands and keep a two-meter distance from everyone else.

On the plus side, I have been able to meet my friend Ramona over the last three months, and we had begun to rekindle our thirty-year friendship. That was at least until we headed into a new lockdown of sorts and entered the new Tier 4. Equally, Darrell and I are speaking more than ever and are beginning to plan for the future, looking towards a brighter 2021.

As we approach the New Year, the UK has started to vaccinate us against this modern day plague, after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for use. It looks as though the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine will also be rubber-stamped within days and the mass inoculation programme will pick up pace. Like most people I am hoping to be immunized against COVID-19 sometime next year. However, until then, there will likely be more disruption, as like me today, people are asked to self-isolate from the outside World, if they come in contact with a COVID positive person, and Britain moves from curtailment to emancipation in equal measure.

There will be no travelling for me next year, rather like 2020. I want to be sure I am fit enough to fly, but I am looking forward to a time, when I can get on a plane again and travel back to the Asian continent, a region I adore. Until that is possible, Darrell will hopefully fly home next year, and we can both begin the long hard slog back to normal, away from the threat of the virus. Cohabiting together once more after this strange pause in all our lives has been restarted, our partnership will return to convention and all of this will be but a distant memory. 2021, the year of the vaccine will mark the beginning of the end of COVID-19 and a climax to this dystopian World all of us now inhabit.

Instead of travelling to Japan and Thailand as planned this year, I have spent nearly two weeks in near lockdown at home. Remembering my time in Asia in 2019 and preparing for our eventual trip back to the region, hopefully in 2021, although I wouldn't hold your breath, has been the perfect tonic to cheer me up and give me something to look forward to. I have been scrolling through videos online, viewing travel documentaries and working out a new plan of action. Above is a video from 'Suitcase Monkey,' a travel vlogger, whose videos caught my attention on youtube. If you are thinking of flying to Asia in the future, look out for these wonderfully comprehensive alternative travel guides; they have certainly kept me entertained during the past few days.

My time in Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea and Cambodia last year, was the holiday of a lifetime, that I will never forget.  Starting off in Communist Vietnam, not a place I would have visited normally, I was taken aback by this wondrous country and hospitable people. Our time here was made more memorable, because of the generous nature of all those who looked after us, during the few short days we were there and of course the culture that delighted us so much.

Despite its Communist credentials, tradition and religion sit happily side by side. We visited various Buddhist temples, which were well looked after and preserved for future generations to enjoy and experience. There were also many western influences in this breathtaking part of the World, as one would expect. There were Americans who had settled after the Vietnam War, as well as many other nationalities, who are welcomed by this particularly progressive Vietnamese regime.

I felt relaxed and safe in Hanoi, unlike many large cities I have visited over the years. Navigating the streets was relatively easy in the centre and everything we wanted to see was within walking distance. The architecture was utilitarian in part but traditional Asian influences were everywhere. This is most definitely a destination I want to visit again; spending time exploring and travelling to other more remote areas would be something to aspire to on any future vacation. Our short taster trip opened many doors to this fascinating place, and I was left wanting more!

Hong Kong was very different to anywhere I have ever been. The small ex British colony on the tip of China is somewhere I have wanted to go for a long time. I had high expectations of this city and in many respects I wasn't disappointed.

The towering skyscrapers, growing taller around every corner, were majestic in nature. I had never seen buildings so tall and I don't mind telling you, just how much it pulled at my anxiety. The urban street life was absolutely out of the World and I have never been so in awe of a place in my life.

However, this isn't somewhere I want to visit again. I have been to many Asian cities in my life and this was really much the same as any other. There was a rather gritty feel to its nature nevertheless; staying in Kowloon, allowed us to get down and dirty, experiencing the way real residents live. This was the part of Hong Kong where people lived, in small, tiny apartments, surrounded by blocks and blocks of flats and that made the stay special.

Hong Kong has sparked my interest in visiting China. The people we met in the bars around our hotel, were approachable and full of stories, about this busy metropolis in the South China Sea and their friendliness and warmth made our stay memorable.  The character of all cities are only as good as the personalities who live there and real, down to Earth folk make for a better stay. If I was returning to Hong Kong in the future, I would most certainly stay in Kowloon again.

South Korea was a Country I fell completely in love with. From the moment we arrived in Seoul, I was bowled over by its modernity and tradition coexisting together. The contrast between the two married in a perfect union could be seen flawlessly in the capital city. Modern superstructures towering above traditional Korean homes and villages; Perfectly manicured gardens, the gentle sound of water flowing over rocks, bird song in the branches of trees, shading commuters and tourists franticly running for a connecting train. The divergence of two cultures so distinct, yet so felicitous in their goals

The modern city of Seoul was beyond imagination. The clean, contemporary apartment we rented near the centre felt like a home from home and the inviting enthusiastic nature of the Koreans we met was infectious. Yes we looked lost at times, but without a second thought, we were approached by local residents who were all to willing to help us find our way around. These are people who are proud of their country and want tourists to have the best of experiences when they arrive. Like all parts of Asia the gracious nature of those who live and work in this continent of contrasts, is clear to see, an epitaph to their generosity of spirit and pragmatic outlook on life.

I will most certainly return to Seoul one day; in fact as I said to Darrell at the time of our visit, this would be a place I could quite easily live. With our future direction uncertain, this could well be on the list; what ever happens, I am glad we chose to spend the longest part of our journey in this vibrant location. The memories I have here, I will always hold dear!

Our final destination was Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This is another Country I had never thought of visiting before. I had seen programmes on the famous Angkor Wat before and wanted to visit it at some point, but it wasn't on my bucket list of places I really wanted to see, for the life of me, I don't know why; this last leg of our trip was spectacular.

From the hotel and restaurants, Pub Street and Angkor Wat, the lotus and crocodile farm and amazing culture, Cambodia did not disappoint.

As a 'good old days' buff, I was amazed  by the living history that surrounded me. Of course Angkor Wat was the most memorable site I visited during my stay, during the whole of the holiday, this place is a true wonder of the World, but there were many more poignant stops at religious shrines, Buddhist retreats and the more sombre killing fields. There is so much antiquity to admire, you literally don't know where to begin.

The streets of Siem Reap were rather like Vietnam, third World in complexion, but that just made the experience even more thrilling. Vendors selling spiders and snakes for unsuspecting tourists to eat, with a one dollar pint of beer and less than salubrious market stalls with a vibe unmatched anywhere else. There were people from all walks of life, from different corners of the Earth, mingling together enjoying the sights, tastes and smells of this unforgettable, remarkable, striking community on the edge of Asia. At times, it did feel rather lawless and bewildering, walking through the narrow ancient streets; I certainly kept my handbag close to my chest, but within a short space of time, I felt comfortable and composed, once again yearning to return at some point in the future!

Remembering the good times, will certainly get us through the bad and recalling a holiday last year, when I was able to see Darrell and spend quality time travelling through Asia was amazing. It isn't until you are unable to do the things you normally do, that you realise just how important they are. Travelling is a big part of mine and Darrell's life, so it is a double blow that we can no long see the one country we have always dreamed of, as well as one another of course. Until we see each other again, we do have the memories of very special time in both our lives!

It was absolutely glorious in Portsmouth today; the weather was perfect for a stroll down to the historic dock yard, which is sadly closed at the moment, due to Coronavirus. Nevertheless, you could still see HMS Warrior and take in the sea air, just the tonic for making you feel alive. It felt good to be out and about once again, as I walked around the streets of Portsmouth and Southsea; the coast really does suit my sensibility. I have always lived close to or near to the sea and find myself drawn to coastal regions, wherever I am in the World.

I still have friends living in and around Gran Alacant and Alicante in Spain and it has been good to keep in touch with many of them, during these testing times. Of course Spain has started to move out of lockdown and it has been amazing to see happy faces and laughter once again throughout the Costa Blanca on facebook.

People eating in restaurants and drinking in the bars, I used to frequent when I lived in Gran Alacant, is hopefully a vision of the future for us in the UK. After what Spain suffered during this first wave of the pandemic, normality is greatly needed and appreciated. It wasn't that long ago, that I was sending messages of condolences to my friends in Spain, expressing my horror at what was unfolding. Today I am the one receiving emails and telephone calls asking me to stay safe and take care, as Britain's death toll soars ever higher, day after day!

The death toll in the rest of Europe is falling dramatically; in the UK, we still have over four hundred deaths a day, which emphasises our Governments failure to get to grips with this terrible virus. We have more deaths per million than every other country in the World and with our abject failure as a nation to get COVID under control, I seriously fear for the future. On my walk today, the Country seemed to be back to normal and when non-essential shops open again on 1 June, it is likely we will see a huge spike in fatalities once again and that is frightening.

Speaking to Darrell on the phone earlier, he expressed concern about Western Australia reporting four new cases of COVID-19 and how they were not out of the danger zone yet. My reaction was, a wish we were dealing with similarly low numbers and told him not to worry too much. The scale of the problem in Australia is so small compared to here, I am thankful he is safe in his home state. Looking back now, I wish I had travelled to Australia when I had the chance, then at least we would be living our life together, rather than apart, which is the hardest part of this pandemic.

I am still considering plans to go to Australia in the future when we are allowed to travel, but that is dependent on a number of factors. I can not afford to fly to Perth and have to self-isolate for two weeks, as well as doing the same on my return to the UK, that will be a whole month before I even spend time with Darrell. These restrictions will need to be lifted before I even think about making the journey, but the reality is, our death toll will need to fall significantly, before any changes are implemented and I can't see that happening presently.

On Saturday I was due to fly to Japan to meet Darrell during a two-week stay. This holiday has now been cancelled and after a lot of wrangling with the airlines and travel operators involved, we are now just awaiting a full refund. This isn't the ideal situation for Darrell or me, we were both looking forward to seeing one another this Saturday, but like many millions of other people, we just have to live with this scenario. To be honest I am not even sure I want to get on a plane at the moment, but I know Darrell and I have time constraints and my husband has to return sooner rather than later, in order to comply with the terms of his visa, that allows him to remain with me here in the UK.

As yet we have no plans to rebook any holiday to Asia, until this situation is over, probably when there is a vaccine in place. Both of us are hoping the timing of events are now favourable, and we can finally pick up where we left off in November, when Darrell left the UK for Australia. Until that time, we will just have to continue living as we do now and hope it isn't too many months before everything returns to normal.

In a couple of days I have two weeks off and like the rest of the population I will be spending it in my home city of Portsmouth. I have discovered much about this city, that I never knew before and it is good for the soul finding out more about the place you live in. When I moved to Spain, I also spent time exploring this beautiful urbanisation. I researched its history and also looked closely at the demographic of the population. By the time I left I knew more about my adopted home, than most people who lived there.

Despite my fondness for Portsmouth, I am missing travelling, something I really enjoy and was a huge part of my life up until recently. It will be awhile before things change for the better and it is likely the travel industry will be decimated and the cost of flying could well be prohibited for most. For me however, my life will continue to involve a lot of toing and froing, because of the nature of my relationship. For that reason I am making the most of my time here in the UK and continue to enjoy experiences, I wouldn't otherwise of had.  I want to be able to look back at this time and say I achieved something and began the process of connecting, with the place where I was born!

What a difference a week makes and what a week it has been. The spread of Coronavirus has officially been declared a pandemic and Governments all over the World are scrambling to bring this virus under control. As a layman looking in at this crisis I am lost for words at the scale of this disaster. My pension pot, share portfolio and other financial products have all but collapsed, and I am firmly in a state of limbo, unable to plan for the future or even look a day ahead, let alone a few months down the line when I am due to go on holiday.

Today I had an appointment at my GP surgery, where I was able to talk about my Coronavirus concerns. After explaining I was due to travel to Japan in May, my Doctor advised caution and not to make a firm decision about travelling at this time. My biggest anxiety is the underlying health conditions that I suffer with. As someone who has high blood pressure, I am aware that I am at a higher risk of complications, should I contract COVID-19.

As usual, I have done as much research as I can about how I may be affected, should I get Coronavirus and the information can be quite alarming, especially for an anxious person like me; I am doing my best to step back a bit and try to think a little more positive. My GP was able to reassure me somewhat and explained that this infection was still pretty rare and hoped it wouldn't engulf eighty percent of the population that some experts are predicting. Of course, I am not taking any chances and was able to get extra supplies of medication, should medical supplies be disrupted over the next few weeks, and he was able to reassure me that the surgery will remain open no matter how bad things may get.

I have also been in close contact with Darrell over the last few days, as the situation in Australia also becomes critical. Darrell remains concerned about the implications for his Mother and also travel plans we have made to Asia in May. I have been doing what I can from my end, to try to rearrange plans we have made but it is proving difficult to get clarity on various aspects of the holiday. Presently we are due to fly to Thailand from Japan via Hong Kong and have been informed the Thai authorities will quarantine us for fourteen days on arrival, because we transited through HK. This means we will not be able to take this flight. The flight itself is scheduled to go and the airline Cathay Pacific have no plans to change their itinerary. Clearly none of us want to fly to Thailand only to be interred at the end of our journey, but trying to change this is proving a difficult task.

Speaking to my insurance company earlier, I was told I was no longer covered for anything to do with COVID-19. The underwriters  have inserted a clause that doesn't cover me for the Coronavirus and I find myself with a policy that is totally useless. After spending two hours on the phone I am beginning to get more answers and hopefully will be able to either change or cancel this part of my trip in the future. Nothing seems certain at the moment and information is changing all the time, almost hour by hour and it is likely I will be trying to sort out my travel plans to Asia, up until the day I am due to depart. This is just a headache however and other people are suffering much more during this crisis.

I have never known anything like this, I feel like I am living in a dystopian nightmare. People panic buying every day staples, shops packed to the rafters, before they are told to self isolate and quarantine, as well as sensationalist headlines, which seem to signal a change in all our lives. I suppose I am scared deep down, not for me, although my underlying medical conditions are cause for concern, but for the way all our lives are going to change over the next few months. We are being warned, day after day, that life is going to be hard and expect a rough ride, this is the scariest part of this situation, fear of the unknown. We are being reminded, this is going to be a very difficult time for all of us, but how bad, nobody knows. This is a time for everyone to pull together and despite our personal difficulties with regard to this virus, life will carry on very much in the same way it has before; the World isn't going to end tomorrow!