Sunday 17 January
11.40am. It is so beautifully sunny this morning. Twenty-four hours ago it was a dense grey sky delivering sleet, snow and rain. And with the sparkling sunshine has come a whole load of things that I want to write about, but I need to be patient and space them out. I must try an keep to my five paragraphs only per day.
Adora knocked on our bedroom door first thing to ask if I was joining her on a run. I had just finished a coffee and was wallowing in that drug-like high of a second state of sleep. That hazy, light headedness made me immediately decline her offer. But then parenthood guilt kicked in, yanking me out of my dozy slumber and I quickly changed into my running stuff.
The morning air was chilled but smelled somehow different, dare I say, almost spring like? The smaller song birds were singing and skitting from tree to tree, the larger gulls, crows and rooks sloping along above the fields. Being out that early was refreshing and I thanked Adora for urging me to join her.
Midday. After dropping Stan off in the middle of nowhere to start a walk with his girlfriend, I headed home to go on our daily walk with Lisa and Mabel. Again, blessed with bright sun in our eyes and on our faces. We stopped part way round to stand, eyes closed, just letting the light soak into our skin.
We talked about how being outside in the open air provides clarity, opportunityto think things through. Obviously the reason why so many people have been grateful of the ability to still get outside during the lockdowns. The sunshine, walk and run today have certainly boosted our spirits. The endorphins and good ‘brain chemicals’ have given us a really positive edge and I feel ‘topped up’ ready to start the new week. I received an email today that another teacher has tested positive.
The Bald Birder 