A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two ; and then,
A blood-red orange sets again.
From Winter-Time by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Hibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic slow-down. And I wouldn’t say that was quite us, but our life just now does have a definite focus on slowing things down…Simple things taking much, much longer than normal. Living life more gently - no rush, no pressure. There’s been more baths, more games, more jigsaws, more talk.
And like the last lockdown - learning to be together as a family and finding our own pace has been something which has its own inherent joy. We’ve tried to pace our life more mindfully, and we’ve let that pace be our guide.
The days may still be short and cold, and the restrictions on activity still in full flow, but since the end of December the weather has been predominantly crisp, clear and frosty. We’ve had a bit of snow and a bit of rain but mainly – the skies have been blue and the temperature been between 4 and minus 4 degrees. So as our weekdays and weekends blend more into a seamless, blurred week the festive rhythm has merged into the new winter rhythm of a January lockdown in the slow lane.
But it’s not been all go-slow, we’ve also tried to make the most of what we have, using the short days, the fine, frosty weather and the local places on offer. Tanya the Brave has continued her weekly outdoor early morning swims in a local loch…to the point where its been too icy to be actually able to get in. I’ve tried running the country paths when I can but that’s also been limited a bit by ice. And we’ve also adventured out as a family – still discovering new spots around East Dunbartonshire – a new ruined estate and some waterfalls a couple of highlights.
So its not quite been hibernation, more rather life in the slow lane. But is that a bad thing? For the umpteenth time in the last year I guess I’ve reached the conclusion definitely not. There's much to learn and be grateful for in the midst of all this.
But it’s not been all go-slow, we’ve also tried to make the most of what we have, using the short days, the fine, frosty weather and the local places on offer. Tanya the Brave has continued her weekly outdoor early morning swims in a local loch…to the point where its been too icy to be actually able to get in. I’ve tried running the country paths when I can but that’s also been limited a bit by ice. And we’ve also adventured out as a family – still discovering new spots around East Dunbartonshire – a new ruined estate and some waterfalls a couple of highlights.
So its not quite been hibernation, more rather life in the slow lane. But is that a bad thing? For the umpteenth time in the last year I guess I’ve reached the conclusion definitely not. There's much to learn and be grateful for in the midst of all this.
Game of Uno #768
The Bunnybull by Niomi aged nearly 6
Ice Queens
Linn Cave I
Linn Cave II
Early morning bravery
Swimming on the ice
Sunrise on the morning jog
