It is coming, Spring shall rise, as sure as the blades of narcissi doth cut upward through the earth those first signs of spring have quietly bloomed. They are out there, hidden away, but there nonetheless, the fair Galanthus has arrived.



Standing shyly 'neath the trees, or blanketing as they do, the river banks, heads bowed against the late winter cold, Snowdrops,as pure and white as their name sakes, each a moment of untainted, innocent beauty, the green lace around their centre, drawing in the cold weather insects, that life may carry on, that for years to come, they may rise again.

It has been a long winter, the snow heralded it in some weeks before solstice night, and for the first time since I was very young, it has remained,and returned with frequency and longevity, a quiet life has been a necessity, for no longer living IN the country, it simply hasn't been safe to head that way, we're high up here, and the more spectacular places to stretch ones legs,are off the beaten track, beyond the realm of the gritters, I made it once, to the perimeter of safe driving, and beyond it, all was still, silent and shrouded in a deep, untainted covering of snow, such isolation and the cold was it transpired unsettling after a whilst, and the warmth of what resembles the 1970's called me homeward, to curl up, with tea, a book, and just my thoughts for company.

After a whilst though, this wears thin, Cabin fever sets in,and all attempts at writing do take on an 'All work and no play makes jack a dull boy, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy....." quality, you feel inclined to check for corpses in the bath tub, fear the smell of oranges, and dread the day you find yourself uttering the words 'Boy,come take your medicine'... So it was with a happy heart this morning, whilst checking for dog shit in the garden, wondering just WHY my shed was once again open (seriously just STEAL the flymo already) that I did espy, in the bottom of the hedge, that the Snowdrops have returned, in a week where my mind has very much been elsewhere, it was a nod, that soon, the sun will warm the Peaks, and escape will come. Proof, then that we find our own happiness in the world, that it is the smallest things that can take you from despondency to joy... A ray of sunlight filtering through clouds or a small flower heralding the coming of spring.. simple things and all that.

All will be well, and I will remain happy... fighting the good fight, in order that I may see a great many more spring mornings into my advancing years.