Blog Birthday

This blog began on 5th March 2006, so today marks eleven years of my blogging.

It started slowly with travel stories.  As I got hooked the numbers of followers grew until now they total 1,470.  Two years ago there were just 500.  It’s been fun to meet new people online, and sometimes in person.  I’ve had someone knock on my door and introduce herself as a blog reader, and been accosted in the supermarket by someone who recognised me from my blog.  Most of my readers come from New Zealand, with good numbers from U.S., U.K., and Australia.  In the last month I’ve even had a couple from Algeria.

In 2007 I joined Facebook, and WordPress soon kindly organised for my posts to be automatically published there.  I often get more comments on Facebook than I do on the original post.  Late last year Facebook added an ‘On this day’ facility which I appreciate because it offers me the chance to read what I’ve written on this particular date over the past decade.  I’m especially enjoying it at this time of year when I have the chance to re-read posts written during the 50 days we were under military surveillance behind the cordon.

I’ve developed my own style, alliterative titles, a photo with almost every post, and a rhyming couplet to finish.  Blogging has helped me develop an identity as a writer.  I love getting feedback and always try to answer any comments.

Wonderful WordPress provides this platform totally for free, which never ceases to amaze me.  They kindly host my 3,181 posts, and tell me I’ve used only 12% of my available storage space.  The number of people who visit each day fluctuates, and my aim this year is to attract at least 50 visitors a day.  So far I’m well ahead of that.

“Dear Reader, I’m glad you came by
I’ll try to keep your interest high.”