Sunday 21 February
1.15pm What a remarkable day it has been so far? The sun has been out all day, at times illuminating an occasional milky white sky, but the warmth it radiates is felt on the face and in the soul.
I did the first grass cut of the back lawn today. I cannot explain how good that made me feel. Sitting on the bench with a cup of tea, as the warming breeze gently swept over it, my spirits were injected with spring sensations. The smell of warm, freshly cut grass was such a heady aroma. Add to that the sound of the birdsong all around and the light – so much sunlight – a moment to simply sit and take it all in.
And all the shrubs were showing off their new shoots. Dipping their toes tentatively into the end of season air. But, and I hate myself for saying it, but, we are still in February. It’s a thought that brings my feet floating back down to terra firma. We have had snow in March and April before.
But (there’s that word again), I am going to revel in this sensory fiesta right now. And two bumble bees fly overhead like they have stuff to do.
4.45pm Just been for our dog walk, later in the day than usual because the days are that little bit longer now. There were plenty of people out walking, some with dogs and some without, but all minus scarves, hats or gloves. Less than a fortnight ago we were walking the exact same paths ankle deep in snow. Mabel didn’t even have her fleece on!
We bumped into friends. Friends we would normally give a hug to but we remained two-metres apart. It was a reminder that although the weather may have changed, and the weeks and months have ticked over, the situation remains the same.
Tomorrow is a big day. Back to school for the second half of the term, back to our locked-down arrangements with reduced pupils attending and rota’d staff lists. But, in the afternoon, the prime minister is delivering the much anticipated road-map out of lockdown. All reports suggest he wants to announce an ‘irreversible’ loosening of restrictions. We will see.
The Bald Birder 