My Top Leaps of 2014

I can hardly believe that it's already time for my end-of-year top five lists. I like to pick my top five 'leaps' of the year because it is a convenient — and somewhat quirky — way of reviewing my London-based and foreign adventures. It's been a hectic year at work but I've travelled to New York, Japan, Canada and Cannes, and there has also been plenty of fun in London, including Secret and Hot Tub Cinemas and many birthdays and gin experiences. None of these London activities involved any good leaps, though, so my top five leaps are all taken overseas.

1. The 'baby, it's cold outside' leap. New York, USA. I went to New York for a few days in March with my parents and it was bloomin' cold. Given the earlier polar vortex, however, we felt quite lucky that we did at least see plenty of sunshine, especially on the day we did the Brooklyn Bridge walk. This isn't the first time I've leapt in this spot and I'm sure it won't be the last.

2. The torii leap. Miyajima, Japan. On the penultimate day of my ten-day adventure in Japan, I arrived on the tiny island of Miyajima, just off the coast of Hiroshima. The island is perhaps most famous for the torii gate at Itsukushima shrine, which appears to 'float' at high tide. Unfortunately, my camera battery had mostly died by high tide, but I managed to fit in a self-timer shot before then.

3. The epic leap. Saskatoon, Canada. My brother and his wife celebrated their marriage with two weddings this year, one in each of their hometowns. Both weddings were wonderful, but the Saskatoon event was easily the most fun wedding I've ever been to and we even managed to gather a group of ten leaps on the dance floor (although the groom was, sadly, absent).

4. The risky self-timer leap. Vancouver, Canada. On my way back to London from Saskatoon, I had a day to spend in Vancouver and I headed straight to Kits Beach. At the beginning of the holiday, I had spent three days exploring the city and shopping, so it was nice to see Vancouver's even more chilled-out side. This self-timer leap was pretty tricky to execute, but I like the way it captured the spirit of the city, beach and mountains.

5. The 'you don't have to be mad to be in my family, but it helps' leap. Cannes, France. Since my parents bought their flat in Cannes eight years ago, we have gone to spend Christmas there most years. Our family tradition is that if the weather isn't too horrific, we will swim in the sea on Christmas Day — and then do some leaps to warm up. I liked the zen leap shot of my mum, sister-in-law and me, but this one captures the spirit of the day better.