Isn't it
lovely to see that spring has almost sprung?
Well, that's what I thought at the weekend
when I saw that the daffodils in my garden
had pushed their way through and the air
was distinctly mild where I live. A lovely
weekend to visit the Lake District I thought,
everything should look lovely up there,
lambs in the field, sunshine on the lake.
What was I thinking? It was freezing.
The snow on the fells gave it away really,
not just the peaks but right down to the
road. I really thought we'd seen the back
of snow. We saw enough where I live to
last me a lifetime and I'm usually a fan.
 We
didn't see any lambs. Obviously their
sensible mothers had told them to 'get
in its snowing'. The lakes weren't bathed
in sunshine so much as freezing fog. Still,
it was a break.
When I slipped on some ice it was nearly
a few breaks but never mind. At least
the Girl Guide in me had prompted me to
pile extra jackets, fleeces and raincoats
into the boot of the car before we set
off, just in case.
There was no just in case about it. I
wore every single thing I took all at
once and looked like a fashion nightmare.
I hadn't packed a thing that matched.
I looked worse than any of the models
in the charity shop windows but I didn't
care. The fact that I'd forgotten my gloves
didn't bother me at all - my hands were
so cold I'd have been too numb to put
them on anyway. I tried really hard not
to bend my fingers in case they broke
and fell off.
 I
don't think I've ever moaned so much in
all my life. In fact I only stopped moaning
in order to listen to my sisters moaning
about how cold her nose was. Only fair
to let her have her share. Neither of
us paid any attention to my other half's
claims that 'this coat is really warm',
where there's no sense there's no feeling,
we thought. We did mutter profanities
when he offered us an ice-cream - I think
he was brought up all wrong.
All joking apart, I do think it's important
to get away for the odd night here and
there, even at this time of year. It can
seem such a long time from Christmas to
Spring, the days are often grey and gloomy
and we're often stuck indoors for most
of it. The moment it looks even remotely
like spring it can really lift the spirits
just to get outside for a while.
 A
change of scenery is a real boost at this
time of year. I was really surprised to
find just how busy the Lake District was,
obviously lots of people, like me, felt
it was time for a break. The hotel was
full, as were the shops around Bowness
and Hawkshead but it was really quite
nice to see all the people wandering round,
even if we were all dressed up for warmth.
The whole place looked alive. My own town
has been very quiet since the New Year
so it was nice to see a few more faces.
The best part of being away for me is
the release from domestic duties.
I'm very much the chief cook at home so
I always enjoy having meals cooked and
served me, not having to load the dishwasher
is a lovely bonus. Having time  just
to slow down and read a book, do a crossword
and just watch the world go by is really
refreshing. It was very crisp and cold
but just being away for a day or two really
recharged my batteries.
Spring may still be a little way off but
we are having days where the sun is making
an appearance. If you can't get away,
then at least get out and about on those
milder days.
Playing in the park with the kids or taking
a fresh and breezy walk on the beach with
your loved one will give you a lift and
remind you that better days are there
to look forward to.
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