A Hint of Summer

I love this time of year. The air is warm and sweet; pathways and lanes, begin to narrow, as cow parsley and pignut spill over in abundance, brushing against my legs as I walk by; Soft wisps of cloud drift across the bluest of skies.  I feel myself exhale, with the anticipation of an approaching summer. I'm extremely aware that everything feels slightly different for me, even now. Life is still off-kilter, with so much still uncertain. 

The surrounding towns and villages are seeing more and more visitors, which means that on a Bank Holiday weekend the car definitely stays at home. I don't even attempt to drive anywhere later than mid-morning, as I don't have the patience, nor any desire to sit in traffic. Instead, we go down to the lake. A picnic, some people watching, always paddling :) There are quiet spots, a little out of the way, just as long as you know where to look. 

And the weather! Hasn't it been absolutely fabulous. It felt as though summer had actually arrived, until this weekend, at least. But then, the gardens will appreciate the rain. Mine is looking quite a bit different this year. The new gate is in place, creating a more private, secure area. And the wildlife pond is a very welcome new addition. My new garden furniture has already seen some use, which is more than I can say for last year. And night time bat watch has also returned, featuring Mog, myself, and also an occasional glass of wine, while I enjoy the overhead display.

It is an incredibly busy time at work. I'm still really enjoying my new role, even though it has changed beyond recognition, since the start of the year, due to the absence of a colleague. I've had a lot to learn in a very short space of time, but everyone has been so encouraging and supportive. I really hope this might become a permanent position for me, especially as they've been so pleased with my performance. But I am aware that there will be more organisational restructuring, moving forward, so I'll just have to wait and see. 

My health continues to be my priority. For the moment, I seem to be taking one step forward, followed by two steps back. On my good days, I am only able to achieve what I could have previously managed on a bad day. But, I suppose, some progress is better than none at all. I'm just getting increasingly frustrated at feeling rotten most of the time. It doesn't help that I've been in a lot of pain this week. I'm taking control of what I can - eating a healthy diet, getting a decent night's sleep, and slowly increasing the amount of exercise I am able to take. I'm still not feeling any better, but it's early days. 

Thank you, as always, for your lovely, comments and messages. 

Back soon. 

J. X