Sunday 27 December 2020

Balance

After last night's storm, it came as a relief to wake to a scene of quiet and still. The wind and rain had been relentless and unforgiving but somehow I had managed to sleep well, waking shortly before 8o'clock.
Determined not to feel as I had yesterday, I began the morning with my usual mug of coffee, then enjoyed a delicious bowl of porridge with compote, after which it was decided a walk in the fresh air would do us the world of good.




With our wellies on - many walks around here would be almost impassable without wearing them just now - we set off through the fields, along beneath the trees and up the lane towards the church. Usually this is where we would stop for a while, eat our chocolate and enjoy the view. This morning, however, the view was hidden beneath the clouds and with the spit spotting of rain threatening to turn much heavier, we made a hasty retreat back down the hillside, past the overflowing stream, and into the scant shelter of the woods, by which time the rain had eased off at least.


Although the cold winter days are still ahead of us, it is reassuring to see tiny buds on the tree branches and new shoots poking up through the earth. Signs of new life emerging. Signs of hope.


Refreshed from our walk, we returned home just in time for lunch, which for me was soup, served with some crusty bread still warm from the oven, and maybe just a very small slice of cheese :)
This afternoon I've enjoyed a coffee and a natter with a friend over video call. It's been too long since we've seen one another, so it was lovely to have a good catch up but I really hope we will be able to meet up in person very soon. 

J. X

26 comments:

  1. I'm glad it cleared up enough for you to go on a walk. It looks cold, but, how lovely to see the new shoots coming up through the soil! Do you get snow where you live?

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    1. We didn't get any snow here and I must admit, it was a bit disappointing. It was a pleasant surprise to see the fresh new shoots in the woods. X

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  2. Yes we are trying to regain our normality (well the new normal) getting out and walking and catching up with friends - not easy admittedly. Yesterday we were kept inside by the storm until late evening when the wind suddenly dropped and the rain became snow. It was magical as we walked around the village just appreciating being out.

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    1. It was lovely to see your photographs, Kate. X

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  3. It was good that the worst of the storm happened overnight and you were able to sleep through it. I am in touch with a friend currently living in a motor home and she says she felt it was going to tip over, what a worry that would be. I'm glad you enjoyed your walk and catch up with your friend.

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    1. It was nothing short of a miracle Eileen :) It was very noisy, I'm not surprised your friends was so worried. X

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  4. Nothing beats a walk in the fresh air especially in your beautiful part of the world. What a difference in your weather to ours though, we were blinded by sunshine (and under a blanket of snow this morning!) xxx

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    1. I'm just a bit gutted that we didn't get any snow, Vix. I might just need to go in search of some later in the week. X

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  5. It sounds like a really lovely day, just what is needed to ground and stabilise again. Good for you.
    xx

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    1. It's always good to get out. I dislike being cooped up for very long. X

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  6. Your soup and fresh bread sounds perfect. Amazing to see the bulbs poking through as you are usually so much colder than us.

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    1. I think it's set to get colder this week. X

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  7. Reading about your walk has motivated me to get out for one myself today. I don't sit about much but for the last few days I've hardly put my nose out of the door.

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    1. It's easy to stay indoors when the weather is cold and wet. X

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  8. Bits of blue sky make the idea of a walk very tempting but since breaking my hip I have not yet dared to venture out.

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  9. It's so easy to hunker down in these days between Christmas and New Year but I always feel more refreshed if I manage to get out for a walk.

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    1. I always feel better for a walk during these in between days. X

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  10. What a beautiful walk. Soup is just right after that.

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  11. I had a lovely walk in the sunshine today, I will continue to get out as much as possible. AS long as I'm dressed appropriately for the weather I love it.

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    1. Cold I can just about manage, it's the rain I don't like, Tania. X

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  12. It was good to be able to get out for walks yesterday. We did too.

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    1. I think I'll keep getting out while the weather allows. X

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  13. We have quite a bit of snow, so I need my warm boots. Every year I say I'm getting Wellies-this year so once our snow melts in April, I can really explore again.

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    1. I wouldn't want to be without my wellies. X

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