Greetings from the secret valley! Today is a special day for it is exactly one year since my very first post.
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the secret valley
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When I began blogging, it occurred to me that, as what I was writing would be in the ‘public domain’, that someone might read it. However, deep down, I didn’t think that anyone would. It is a constant surprise that it is read and that the number of viewings is in the thousands rather than just half a dozen or so. Thank you so much.
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Like many of you, I write for my own pleasure but, knowing that the words are read, I do make some effort to write coherently and, hopefully, interestingly – not always, I fear, with success. The secret valley is always a source of inspiration and, sitting at my computer, I look out across the fields to the trees and the little, winding river. The photo below is what I see every day and never forget just how lucky I am.
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view of the secret valley from my desk
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And so, one year on, you have followed me through the seasons:
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in the cold
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and as the weather warms
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You have followed me on my travels:
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Grafton Street, Dublin, Ireland
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Lee Bay, Exmoor
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You have met my family:
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The old nags
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and the very special She-dog
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And you have witnessed my gardening:
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my successes….
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….and my failures
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But best of all, through blogging, I have met interesting people from all over the world, from all walks of life and I am all the richer for it.
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and sometimes I still can’t get the spacing right between paragraphs – is it me or is it Blogger?!
Life in the English Cotswolds 
Congratulations on your first year of blogging, and thank you for your beautiful words and photos. Although I don't often comment, I do read and enjoy every one of your posts. May you give us many more years of blogging pleasure. And please…give She Dog a special pat on the head for me.
Congratulations as well..on a beautiful, inspiring, and encouraging blog. I knew from the moment I read your posts..found "along the way" through whatever avenue I took…your blog was one I wanted to follow. Thank you so much Johnson and pats to She Dog the tree climbing champion!ps…what a view from your desk!
You have a wonderful blog and such a warm way of writing. I love the photo of your "She-dog" watching the dog on tv.Always a pleasure (and a smile) when I read about your world in the Secret Valley.Jim
Certainly blogger! I have trouble, too, sometimes.Congratulations on your first year. I look forward to many more.
Congratulations! I have enjoyed following your posts over the past few months. Do you keep a TV on the floor just for She-Dog? I love it! I love your photographs as well – I hope to be "reading" you for a long time to come!Best wishes, Lisa
Let me offer my congratulations on your anniversary … I follow all your posts and enjoy them thoroughly. I just love popping into to visit the Secret Valley … whilst I may not make many comments I definitely read every post, pore over all the photos and just generally enjoy following because I find it all very interesting. Keep on blogging … you do indeed have a very willing audience for your posts.
Thank you for sharing, Johnson 🙂 Where does a year go to! Congratulations. I have enjoyed your posts, and love that you mention your successes and the occasional failure ha! It makes me feel better that someone else has them too!
Johnson, I have so enjoyed your blog over the past year. Although I do not always comment, I am reading every post and look forward to many more!
Johnson – I must echo what Bernie said – I don't comment often but I check your blog all the time and pore over the details of each post with great interest. Keep writing, and again, congrats!Lisa
It's exciting to revisit your first year blogging. Congrats!
Gosh, so many comments – thanks all of you.Despite my vanity, I do realise that it is She-dog who has stolen the show and is the real reason why you all return! As for the television (which surprises visitors to the cottage too) – it was placed under the table because the cottage is so tiny we didn't have anywhere else for it to go. It was supposed to be a temporary thing. It's actually, we have found, the ideal place as, when you are relaxed in a chair, your eyes tend to rest there instead of being forced to look upwards. The biggest drawback is that no sooner have they rested than I fall asleep!Johnson
(BTW spacing, if you are determined to get it the way you want – sometimes you have to go into HTML and make determined corrections there)Then again, we ain't reading between the lines 😉
If given the choice between spending time in your beautiful garden and getting the spacing correct on the blog, is there REALLY any contest? I believe in blaming it on the reader's failing eyesight….
Congrats on the year of blogging, I have enjoyed it very much. You are truly gifted.
That's sorted then, I'll try not become too paranoid about paragraphs and spacings!As for your comment, Doc, apart from being far too generous, it just isn't true! You only have to look at some of the incredible blogs that are 'out there' to see really talented writing, photographers and gardeners.Johnson
Happy one-year anniversary! I love that blogging allows you to reveal the secrets of such a lovely valley.
Johnson, congratulations on year one; I look forward to your upcoming posts. The photos are beautiful, and your secret valley is exquisite as is Lee Bay, Exmoor. Thank you for allowing us to visit. 🙂
Denise & Di – thanks for the comments and good wishes. Exmoor, is another one of those very special places that I hold dear. Whether it is the high moorland plateau or the rugged coastline, the scenery is quite stunning.Johnson
Congrats on your blogiversary! We were driving past Lee Bay on holiday this last week – it's lovely down there. (Blogger is a pain for adding spaces where you don't want them!)
Thanks Tilly. Envious of you being on Exmoor although I shall be down there again in a few weeks time once again.Johnson