Monday 22 January 2018

Wintering


Just as Mother Nature is beginning to hint at all things 'Spring', Winter is reminding us we are still firmly within its grasp. During this last week we've had wind, rain, hail, snow, ice and sunshine. The one constant is that is has been bitterly cold. We are now  approaching the end of the first month of the year and so far it's been all good. Quiet and uneventful, but I like that. No plans or commitments, it's quite liberating. We've settled back into the Monday-Friday routine again and at the weekend, when Lily isn't attending yet another birthday party (seriously, how many invitations!?) we've been out walking. It has been really quite lovely, a little bit like an extended New Year break.
You see, this whole weekend business is quite new to us. Previous employment in retail and healthcare have meant weekends weren't really a thing, just the same with Bank Holidays. But since the end of last year it has all changed and we're making the most of it. Initially, strange as it may seem, it actually took a bit of getting used to but I think we've found our feet and settled into this new work/life balance pretty well.





Usually in January I have found myself wishing my time away, longing for Spring and some warmer weather. The lull after Christmas and the often dark, dreary days can lend themselves to me feeling low and inactive. More recently, however, I'm trying much harder to enjoy these chilly days and making a positive effort to look after my wellbeing. Thankfully, it seems to be working, although unfortunately, due to the weather conditions the running group hasn't been on for the last two weeks, but I've managed to get out on my own when it has been safe to do so. I've been for a gentle run along the lanes this morning which felt good.  It is my mission to finally get fit this year and some health problems within my family have reinforced my need to be more proactive about this.



Last weekend we went to Keswick. The snowy landscape was beautiful and the still air meant that we didn't feel too cold. We walked up Walla Crag on the eastern shores of Derwent Water and following a gentle climb to the top, the sun came out and we were met with some gorgeous views. After a picnic lunch at the summit (along with a hopeful crow), we carefully made our descent down at the steep  southern end of the Crag and meandered our way along the lake shore back towards the town, stopping briefly to take in the views and throw a few stones into the lake (as you do).








I'm finding that as long as I am wrapped up nice and warm, there is so much joy to be had in these cold Winter days. A joy, which previously in my yearning for some warm Spring air, I have been too stubborn to appreciate until now.
J. X

44 comments:

  1. Stunning pics. What's to be gloomy about in January!
    xx

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    1. Thanks Mum. I'm so glad I don't find it gloomy anymore. X

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  2. Beautiful pictures - I was hoping for a calm January - it hasn't quite worked out for me - maybe February might be better!

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    1. You have some exciting things to look forward to, once the hard work of decision making and planning is over with. X

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  3. There is beauty to be found in every season and all weathers I always think. Even fog and drizzle (although I have to look harder for it then!). So pleased you’re feeling good about things and that your running continues. I’m envying you the snowscapes. We had three flakes here last week x

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    1. I completely agree CT, although yes, sometimes we do need to look harder. I hope to continue to increase my running now that I am finally over my various coughs and colds. X

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  4. Oh wow, such stunning scenery and photos. It has been bitterly cold but as you say if you wrap up warm there's plenty to enjoy outdoors.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. I'm always wrapped up well - I feel the cold terribly. X

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  5. Lovely photographs of the Lakes Jules.

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  6. All lovely photographs Jules. I especially like the views, the scenery and the reflections and of course it's lovely seeing Lily.
    Interesting you mention parties, it's the same with the grandchildren - hardly a weekend goes by when they haven't been invited to a birthday party!
    Enjoy the remainder of January.

    All the best Jan

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    1. There have been so many parties already Jan, and we have three more to attend within the next four weeks. X

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  7. You had super conditions for your trip up Walla Crag, lovely photos as always :)

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    1. Thanks Jayne. The weather was dull when we first set out, but the sun soon came out and it was beautiful. X

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  8. Your photos are just beautiful and punctuate your writing perfectly. I was in exactly the same frame of mind when I gave up work, I'd worked every Sunday for the previous fourteen years (except when I took an odd one off) and that was the whole time that my kids were growing up. It wasn't ideal but it's what worked for us at the time. I still appreciate having my weekends at home now and we do try and do something when the weather allows.

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    1. Thank you Jo. I would never have thought that having time off at the weekend would take some getting used to. Even two consecutive days is still a novelty but it has coincided beautifully with Lily starting school. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to enjoy as much family time. X

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  9. I am sure you will succeed on your mission to get fit Jules, I am on the same one myself, health problems for me now are just one after another.
    It's only 10 am whilst typing this, but boy does your soup look good, I could just eat that now. I like a nice thick soup.xxx

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    1. I'm sorry to read you're having health problems Marlene. One thing after another can start to drag you down. We'll just have to cheer each other on. I like soup nice and thick, it always tastes full of goodness. X

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  10. Great photos Jules, thanks for sharing. Many years ago we used to go camping in The Lake District at Braithwaite. We walked lots there and frequently popped into Keswick, especially one of the bakers for a cake. It does look beautiful, the snowy scenes in The Lakes. Yum, your soup looks tasty. So many people are buying soup makers but I'm sticking with my pressure cooker. I remember the hours in fulltime retail work. Always at work, alternate Saturdays too. Have a good week, Cathy x

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    1. Thank you Cathy. I'm hoping to take Lily camping this year and I think the Lakes is a great place to start, I do love Keswick. I'm not sure how I feel about soup makers, maybe if you're pushed for time, but I quite like making it the old fashioned way. X

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  11. I just love the colours of Winter.....the blues, greys and whites are just the colour palette I would use in my home......well if I didn't have a filthy dog and a very untidy husband....lol.
    Your bowl of soup made my mouth water.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I've never thought about the colours of Winter before Sheila. They are calming, but just like with you, I don't think they would be best placed in my home. The soup was very tasty. X

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  12. Such beautiful photos. I am so glad that you can now appreciate all the seasons, it took me a lot of years to realise just what I had been missing. My Grandchildren are constantly at parties too, it does slow down a little once they have established friendship groups at school. Take care.

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    1. I feel the same about the seasons now. I must have wished half my life away. The constant parties are getting a little exhausting. At the moment most of the children invite the whole class so I'm hoping they slow down a little when she eventually moves up to the next year group. X

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  13. I'm glad you are enjoying your weekends Jules. I always found the best bit about weekend was that Friday night feeling of it all being ahead of you. The photo of Lily throwing stones in the lake is stunning, you could be in the Alps! It's good that you are enjoying winter more, it might seem never ending but in a world where time whizzes by I quite like that. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. I was just saying this evening 'is it not Friday yet?' See, I've become very accustomed to it. And with Lily now at school it is such a good feeling to be able to spend the weekend together too. Lily loves to throw stones (thankfully only into rivers and lakes) and always picks up the biggest ones! X

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  14. its so nice for you to have weekends

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    1. Thank you Sol. I now understand what is meant by 'Friyay!' X

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  15. Such beautiful scenery and landscapes you can see when out and about, I really must visit the Lake District.

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    1. It's a beautiful area Julie. I would recommend it. X

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  16. Fabulous photos. We love Keswick and Derwentwater and have visited many times. We were in the lakes last summer, but stayed further south that time.
    Wrapping up warm is is no problem but I can't stand snow.

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    1. Thank you Eloise. It's a lovely area isn't it?
      I'd much rather have snow than rain. X

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    2. For me it's rain in preference to snow any time!

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    3. There is no shortage of that around here! X

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  17. we had snow on Sunday too, it settled on the grass but not on the paths or roads luckily...

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    1. I do like snow. I expect Evie found it exciting too. X

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  18. Great photos, I love the robin and the last shot is so crisp and clear I feel like I could just reach out and touch the water :)

    After what seems like weeks of wind, sleet, hail and interminable rain today turned out to be gloriously sunny with a cloudless blue sky and reasonably mild, just right for a good dog walk but sadly I had to work so couldn't take advantage of it :(

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    1. Thanks Eunice. What a shame you missed out on a lovely day for a walk. Hopefully we will have plenty of bright and sunny days to come. X

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  19. Lovely photographs. You are an inspiration to me for going out walking when it is so cold, with snow on the ground. Yet, I am reminded of a time when I was a much younger woman and I did just that! Old age has caught up with me and thinned my blood too much! LOL. Glad you are able to enjoy the weekends doing such pleasant family activities. Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you Bless. I don't know about an inspiration , it really wasn't as cold as it looks. I don't deal with the cold very well either - a slight breeze in Summer and I'm reaching for my cardigan. We were wrapped up well, the air was still and the initial climb soon warmed us up. We do enjoy getting out walking when we can at the weekends, and best of all, it's free! X

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  20. What gorgeous pictures Juules, I'm keen to visit Keswick myself one day and this walk looks stunning. I agree with your sentiments on winter this year. I keep waiting to hit the "agggh when is it over"...but so far I'm enjoying these cold days :0)
    When I visit I will look out for the Red Squirrels too.
    Jacquie x

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    1. Keswick is a lovely town Jacquie and there is so much to see in the surrounding area, you would love it. I do hope you get to visit.
      I'm doing OK with January this year and I'm happy to read that you are too. I had a little blip the other day but I really don't think it was the month or the weather (which hasn't been so bad here for once). X

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  21. You've captured the magical beauty brilliantly x

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