We’re in the depths of winter and Christmas, with all its lovely bright decorations and jolly music, has been and gone for another year.
We need something to get us through January, and I’m not just talking about finding a bargain in the sales. Let’s face it, they’re available all year round nowadays!
I’ll be brightening myself up with thoughts of summer sunshine and relaxation. I remember when I was younger going to the travel agents and picking up the brochures – even for those places I knew I wouldn’t get to – but today we can just open our laptops and away we go!
Where to this year? With the help of online advice and my own imagination, I can be taken within minutes to the lovely beaches of Bali, where the waiter is bringing me cocktails while I soak up the sun on the beach or at the side of the pool. Or maybe I’ll wander along the Great Wall in China, or perhaps visit the historical monuments in Greece? These thoughts are enough to make me feel warmer already, and almost forget that I am actually sitting at home, surrounded by my own four walls with the rain pouring down outside!
I guess for now I will have to make do with a brisk walk – perhaps along the canal and then finding a tearoom or a pub with a cosy fire to escape the cold … just imagining that makes me feel better. I always think the worst bit is actually getting ready to go out, but once I’ve done it and had my dose of fresh air, I always feel re-vitalised.
If it’s too wet maybe it’ll be a visit to the garden centre instead. I love planning my garden for the year. I have my bulbs planted, some in containers, some buried under the grass waiting to shoot, and I just hope those squirrels haven’t dug them all up!
I can’t wait to see all the plants and their colours appear – it’s a wonderful sign that spring is on its way. Next, we’ll see the birds performing their mating ritual. I’m fortunate to have lots of types visit my garden but there are also the lakes and rivers close by where other breeds gather, and I’ll be visiting these too. I find it’s best to go when it’s quiet to soak in the sound of silence and watch the birds undisturbed.
I’m not looking forward to the grey wet days, but I do quite like the frosty starts and the bright sunshiny days are quite pleasant. I’ll admit that snow is a joy, and so pretty, when it first arrives and to watch it gently falling as I look out of the window is a pleasure – but be assured that my thoughts will be far away, on a tropical island somewhere hot ..!