Golden….

Today’s thursday…yeah I know you know that😁, but when I woke up this morning I knew already today was going to be different,. I can’t tell you how or why I differentiate this Thursday for the long line of others that have gone on before it…but suffice to say it just is…For a start after a very gloomy wet autumnal beginning, the sun burst through the deep dense grey cloud cover, heralding a brand new day…And for some reason unbeknownst to only myself I felt i wanted part of it.

Its helped greatly and is much appreciated by me, that for the first time since my lastest Covid infection, I feel somewhat better, not just a marked improvement, but there quietly simmering away in the background (like me beloved kettle)was the first glimmers of energy’s return..I’ve been too hesitant to really enjoy it, just in case in doing so I ran around in an over zealous cleaning frenzy and frightened it off again😁, ..deep down I’m kind of hoping it’s here to stay though, least for a while.

After a shower and a couple of cups of coffee, I trotted about the flat, singing away to myself,(anyone remember the song busy doing nothing?), Well that was me, I cleaned the vacuum filter, the filter of the dehumidifier, after making sure the kitchen was tidy, I realised to my surprise, I felt a sudden return of another unfamiliar sensation, (restlessness). A need to escape my usual routine and all its confines..I In fact wanted to be outside.

And why not?, I was already dressed, the sun was doing it’s utmost to add a little warmth, along with its brightness, it seemed rude to not partake and appreciate all it’s efforts., Pulling on my trainers(shoes) I’ve only worn once previously(reasons behind mentioning this will all soon become clear😁) A fleece, hand full of lozenges, and I’m out the door.😁

I do have a route in mind before leaving, but being unsure of this new found vim and Vigour, I begin my journey cautiously..😁, My eyes take in the colours abound surrounding me, I’m almost shocked to see alongside the corals, orange, reds and golden yellow hues of leaves, many are in fact still quite green, and not an insipid pale sickly end of year green, but a dark lusty full of life shade..it’s contrast is very notable,, in amongst what leaf litter there is, startling deep blue campanula blooms nestled warmly out of the chilled winds.

There’s the beautiful scarlet red hips left behind, equally if not more attractive the pale pink summer wild roses, splashes of colour via for your attention, the trees Autumnal statement clear, “look at me, am I not the most breathtakingly thing you seen”. And they are, it’s hard to know where to look first,. The earth about smelling delicious deep rich and loamy, there’s a Smokey scent upon the air. I don’t note much the familiar ache within my joints, I’m to entranced, besotted with mother nature’s performance, Autumn will ever remain my favourite time of year( just don’t tell the other seasons😁

I manage to make it to my intended destination, in truth if I’m honest, from the outset I had little faith in my ability, after that last batch of Covid had left behind, what I pray won’t become a permanent souvenir, My throat often whistles, my chest tight at times and somewhat wheezy,..But I do eventually turn the corner to be faced by the local shops…I’m not shopping mind, I just wanted to know I could reach there under my own steam so to speak..and I do.

I do however welcome a much needed sit down just inside one of the shops, not caring what I look like as I park myself upon a stack of compost bags, the warmth from the fans just inside the doors blow upon my face, I only sit there people watching for five minutes, five minutes was enough to recover and regroup, after which I make my way slowly back home, somewhat satisfied I had done what I set out to achieve, for some that’s the dizzy heights of Ben Nevis, for me it’s the shops…small victories…😁,

I know the walk back is going to test my merit, one part has quite the sharp incline, and it’s fairly long, even prior Covid I struggled here… It helps though to already know your weaknesses, so your ready to face them head on, I use my legs to propel me onward, I am by now breathing hard though, the cold air not doing much to help..but my obstinance always comes into play for me here. I also know which is fortunate, about a third of the way up there’s a small gap in the fence that runs parallel to the whole walk …if needs be I can find a place to sit and rest up before heading home.

As I reach said gap, my chest is by now really burning, I know I’m tiring, it’s no good pushing myself any further, so I walk through the gap, straight into a lovely soupy mud quagmire,(I have neither energy or inclination to turn about and retrace my steps) to late anyhow my once very immaculate trainers are super coated in glaggy gloop., I’m passed caring though, what I do care about somewhat more however, is doing my best to stay upright.(I teeter about like a lass on 6 inch heels after numerous triple vodkas, how would I know, misspent youth my dears).. I didn’t think landing on one’s bottom up to your neck in mud, was that dignified, unless of course your an Essex old Spot(pig)😁…I

Here is the local park, as I’ve mentioned many times in the past, im not adverse to finding a spot and just parking my carcass down on any spot of grass, today being no exception…it’s been raining for weeks now, and I already know without a shadow of a doubt I’m going to get soaked through to my drawers…😁, but again now is not the time to care about such matters, as long as I can sit down a while all’s well, Ive very soon located a sunny sheltered spot for myself, I look about, no one’s there, so I plonk myself down in the soggy grass. I’ve no sooner sat than it begins to seep through my trousers and undies, but while it’s not the most pleasant of sensations, I don’t give a jot!!

The Sun’s warm upon my face, birds cheerful little voices fill the surround shrubbery, which is affording me some protection from the biting winds, I’m already enjoying my little spot, hopefully away from prying eyes.. I hadn’t been there but five minutes, when I’m joined suddenly by a mischievous cobby little Robin, he worries about in a group of leaves, pushing them aside, every once in a while he stops, a black beady eye looks across at me, watching to see if maybe I would join him in his search ..these remarkable cheerful little birds are seldom fearful of humans, although I oft fear they should be, we spend a few minutes in the companionable silence, before his joined by a male rival, they bicker boisterously, before taking noisily to the sky.

When I do things like this, I lose myself completely, time means little or nothing, neither anyone about me, …so it’s with something of a start when I hear a voice behind me… ” youhoo!, I say are you alright!!! “, at first I look about me to see if she’s talking to someone else. The voice chirps up again” I say dear, you’ve not fallen have you”?. I used to find this annoying at one point, because to me sitting upon the grass is normal, well it is for me anyhow😁, ..but now though, I find it quite touching, someone taking time out of their day to check up on another.. We pass the time of day, commenting on the weather for the time of year that kind of thing,, sharing pleasantries, I dig down deep to remember my manners and etiquette needed, socialising is a long forgotten past time for the likes of me. .soon as my new found friend is assured of my welfare, she’s back off walking her by now very impatient little dog. I

I sit for a few more stolen moments, enjoying the sights and sounds that nature bestows most willingly, a large fuzzy bee buzzes under a tree trying it almost seems with some urgency to find a warm spot for the night before the ground chills, everything felt as if it was poised, holding its breath, just waiting, watching for the first icy blasts of winter, I too walked home more slowly, making the most of these last few Golden autumn days…Stay warm, stay well and look after yourselves folks ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤