My ongoing mission to ‘get out more’ increased my average weekly step count to 3500 (rounding for accounting purposes) which was an increase of about 1000 steps compared to 2024. I know piffling, but I do work from home 4 days per week and my phone spends most of the day on the desk (excuses) I’ve made a conscious effort to walk to the plot and use stairs on my journey to and from work but the main increase has come from getting out and about.

The majority of destinations have been hilly and involved a lot of steep steps, windy alleyways and yet more stairs. What caught my interest was how locals have adopted said alleyways, steps and stairs as garden extensions.

Most of these come from Hastings and Rye, but I’ve snuck in a couple from Napoli as well.

There’s clearly a great community along this alleyway.

This hidden courtyard was a joy. I wonder if there’s a rota?

There were many alleys like this with masses of plant pots

This open staircase in Napoli stood out for its planting

It would be rude not to finish with this shot from Rye.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year