There’s something quite wonderful about the start of a new year. Around the world customs have developed to drive away the bad spirits of the old year and make way for the good times up ahead. We call upon the purifying power of fire in the form of bonfires, blazing torches and fireworks – fireworks also make loud noises guaranteed to drive away evil spirits.
It is just a moment we humans have created to mark the passing of time; when the old year ends there isn’t even a momentary pause like there is between an exhale and an inhale. Time marches on the same way it does every other night. Nevertheless, that moment when the clock strikes twelve and the minute hand on a clock clicks forward a notch has always spoken to me of hope and possibility and beckoning opportunity.
As my thoughts are on the New Year up ahead and all the wonders it is sure to bring, I found some photographs that represent the idea of ‘new’ to me; a first spring burst of green, freshly fallen snow and a sweet gangly-legged black-tailed fawn who popped out to say hello to me while I was hiking recently.
What does ‘new’ mean to you? If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: New
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. – T.S. Eliot
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. – G.K. Chesterton
xxx
Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Hey Ailsa,
Great theme for the New Year, here’s my weekly entry, based on new life experiences…Happy New Year 🙂
http://truetravelings.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/travel-theme-new/
Wow, those are some fabulous new experiences, hope you have many more in 2013 – love that shot of the cave! xxx
It’s so cute face,thank you so much for sharing a beautiful pictures.Happy New Year everyone!
You too, Rimas! 🙂
New for me can be a lot of things – in my age a new year isn’t anything I’m looking forward too. New can be when something happens that will have an impact on me and my life – it can be any day. But it can be something so simple as a new dress …. or a couple of Swan chicks again this year. It can be a trip I start to plan.
Your photos are wonderful … my favorite is the one from the park in snow.
I agree, Viveka, the most unexpected things can give you a whole new outlook! Here’s hoping we all have many of those moments in the coming year! xxx
I’m sure we will … and I’m sure they will be of the best kind most them, but some will be less pleasant.
Pingback: Travel Theme: New—Hawaiian Marriage Proposal « There & Back
I agree with viveka: New can be when something happens that will have an impact on one’s life. In this case, it was a high-flying marriage proposal: http://jennifercrites.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/travel-theme-new-hawaiian-marriage-proposal/
Thank you, Ailsa, for such a perfect theme. Happy New Year. And I absolutely love the darling little fawn.
What a wonderful story of Jack and Jill. Happy New Year to you too! xxx
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http://patriciaddrury.com/2012/12/28/travel-theme-new/
So many new examples, from new birth, to new posts… enjoy!
Oops, Patricia, that link doesn’t seem to be working. Happy New Year to you. xxx
I had posted this earlier today, but it seems fitting for this week’s theme: new lens, learning new techniques, new bloom on a plant! http://wp.me/p1tzBV-1TJ
So beautifully delicate, Anne, it almost looks like a painting. Happy New Year. xxx
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Beautiful photographs Thanks for the theme… Will get thinking (with my NEW camera) 😀
Oooh, I have NEW camera envy, have fun getting acquainted with your new camera, and Happy New Year xxx
🙂
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Thanks for the challenge, and the cheerful beginnings of a new cycle!
http://ehkstream.org/2012/12/28/travel-challenge-new/#respond
These are adorable, that little guy on your finger reminds me of the Geico Gecco 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Stupendous shots Ailsa! Thanks for another mind-teaser of a challenge – and very best wishes for 2013 and the adventures it holds for you. 🙂
You too, my friend, may 2013 bring you everything you wish for and more! xxx
Bless you – thanx 🙂
Thank you for being such an inspiration to me…I have nominated you for the Blog of the Year 2012 award.
http://runeatlife.me/2012/12/29/blog-of-the-year-2012-awards-x2/
Yaay, thank you for joining in the fun, and for the nomination. Congrats on your award too! xxx Ailsa
Here we go (it must be the weekend again)…..
http://mrscarmichael.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Good one, Mrs C, congrats to the new graduate and Happy New Year to you! xxx
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For me many things are new. If I see something first time, if something sees me first time. New leaf on the tree, newly born child or animal, new music I have never heard.
And here is my response to that week’s challenge. Kestrels, new to the world, living in the city: http://fotshot.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Happy New Year, Ewa, and congrats on these wonderful photos, boy, what great timing and what an amazing sight to see. That last one of the two together is hysterical, they’re adorable.
Happy New Year to you! You are right, timing was the best gift I could get then. And I’m glad you like those photos.
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After some thinking I came up with my version about this week’ s theme: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Wonderfui photos, Esenga, those snowmen and brilliant and boy that cake looks good!
Pingback: Travel Theme: New | A New Day
I loved this challenge. Here are the images that reflect new for me.
http://imissmetoo.me/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Gorgeous images of new, Pat, that little pine tree is my favourite. Happy New Year to you! xxx
Thanks, Ailsa. And happy new year to you, too!
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http://playamart.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/a-sea-turtles-first-new-day/
spend the morning with the olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings and escort them to the ocean! z
OMG Z, this is so great, I was cheering that little guy on by the end of your post. What a survivor. LOVED IT! Happy New Year 🙂
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Your examples of new are wonderful. I took a different twist on mine. http://wp.me/p23TG1-1Vw
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Hilarious, Francine, I feel an overwhelming desire to own sushi pillows now! 🙂 Happy New Year.
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here is mine Ailsa. Thank you for all your work providing these challenges.
Have a wonderful New year
http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/a-new-year-is-upon-us/
Happy New Year, Jo, this was a wonderful post and I learned something new about Old Long Syne, Hope 2013 brings you everything you wish for and more! xxx
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! My blog is all about the new stuff http://sasieology.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Happy New Year, Sas, you’ve been busy checking things off your list, the BFG footprint is rocking. Can’t wait to see what you get up to this year!
Pingback: Travel Theme: New | My Caymanian Life
Happy NEW Year to all! Here’s my selection:
http://mycaymanianlife.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Jennifer Avventura
Happy New Year to you too, Jennifer. Looks like you’ve got a whole lot of new going on in 2013. Stunning photo! 🙂
Thank you, Ailsa. It’s going to be a busy year that’s for sure!
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Thanks for visiting my site, wonderful photography here!!
Happy New Year, thanks John!
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The deer is beautiful and so is the park with snow. Happy New Year! Happy settled in Seattle. My post has sand instead of snow: http://canoecommunications.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/new-buffalo/
Happy New Year right back, c & c – when I read your title I was expecting a baby buffalo! The beach looks stunning and I love the lighthouse. xxx
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a few photos of what “new” means to me http://theeclecticeccentricshopaholic.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/travel-theme-new/ happy new year! ^^
Ooh, get a load of that Chanel pendant, me likey! Happy New Year kz.
happy 2013! ^^
Pingback: Fresh Fallen Snow (New) « Canadiantravelbugs's Blog
OK a bit of a stretch for new, but I wanted to post on the NEW fallen snow and it kinda fit… didn’t it?
http://canadiantravelbugs.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/fresh-fallen-snow-new/
It totally fits, CTB, and I’m so happy you got to have fun in the snow this year. I’m with you, I love everything about it and share similar childhood memories. Happy New Year to you! xxx
All the best for 2013!
I have to get extra creative sometimes to make the photo challenges fit my weekly blogs and time schedules 😉
Thanks for all the great challenges and your kind words and comments over here.
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https://firstandfabulous.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/travel-theme-new/
Happy ‘NEW’ Year, Ailsa. 🙂
Love it, Gemma, I want to hit the open road in it right now. With a bunch of Beatles tunes at the ready. 🙂
Ailsa, I continue to enjoy your photos and particularly your writing. T.S. Eliot, you say, says that next year will give us a new voice. May it be yours! For your ‘new’ challenge, I tried a new blog technique and almost regret it – it’s the gallery I posted today. I have wrist twinges from so many hours this afternoon manoeuvring a mouse. But I have to thank you, really, because some of the 12 photos were prompted by your challenges this year. Thanks, Ailsa. Happy new year!
Trish, what an absolutely wonderful thing to say (May it be yours) – you just gave me the warm fuzzies. Hope your wrist is doing better. A very Happy New Year to you, my friend, may it bring you everything you wish for and more! xxx
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All 3 great shots – my favorite is number 2 is catch the moment so well… 🙂
Thanks ledrakenoir, I loved your post, you always have something new to teach me – the origin of the word nylon, how clever! Happy New Year to you!
Thanks Ailsa – I’ve an inquisitive mind and thought “why is it called nylon” so I’ve to investigate why… 🙂
Something a bit different this time Ailsa: http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/new-from-old/
LOVED this, what creative recyclers you have come across on your travels, and that story of breaking down on a snowy winter’s night was just magical. xxx
I’m bowled over by these recyclers – and their use of mundane things to create items of such charm and modern usefulness. And thanks for the nod for the breakdown story 🙂
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I just love fresh snow, it really does have a renewing effect doesn’t it?
http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/travel-theme-new/
It does, Georgia, I find it really invigorating! Aww, that little goat stole my heart, but those booties are pretty darned cute too. Happy New Year. xxx
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