2015 what will you bring??

It's -7 degrees in some parts of the UK. There is always hope for a White Christmas, the snow came just a and brought with it the coldest days for this year. 2014 December had Fog, Snow and Crisp mornings.

2015 is just round the corner.


What will you bring?

The Christmas lights gave the snow a festive feel. Traffic was disrupted during the holiday period that made travel kind of difficult. This made me think 2014 did not really end the way we thought it might . The ferry fire in Italy, Air Asia's tragedy at sea, and the Virgin Atlantic flight that was forced to land before making its journey. 2014 was making it's presence felt as it left us.2014 saw the death of a great actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman; what an actor and what a tragic end. My favourite was his portrayal of the priest  in the movie "Doubt" 2014 also had the rise of the Islamic State, the kidnapping of 200 young Nigerian girls, and the Ebola virus that continues to create a crises situation continues.

Beginning of any year brings hope and the idea of the new, good exciting events that will be coming our way, 2015 who are you and what you bring us?

2014 had many great memories - my mums visit and her three months stay, fantastic moments especially as she is growing older and her ability to make a long journey on her own is bound to be limited. My trip to Ireland; the fantastic country and such warm people. Meeting cousins and  friends I have not seen for years in the glorious London summer.Skype allowed me to bring
my old friends up to date with my life. Speaking to my four year old nephew and seeing him growing up, moments that will be cherished for ever.. And the most important part was discovering Mindfulness. The art of being aware and of accepting the now. I recommend it highly.

To Quote Rumi
"Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
― Rumi

So lets raise our glasses to another year done and the inevitable hope that a new year brings in its wake.Feel bad for the lonely biker in the picture making his way on a bitterly cold winters day.

Brick Chimneys

Today was a beautiful day. Blue skies sunshine, and when the clouds were in site they were a fluffy powder blue. On a day such as this everything looks, cleaner, clearer and so much more vivid. Looking at the sky form my garden one of my favourite pastimes, one could not but help looking at the red brick chimneys.




 After moving to the UK the rooftops of a row of houses always fascinated me. The fact that they stood tall against the blue skies. Asymmetrical and all in a single row.


Most modern houses do not use chimneys there are no coal fires any more. In each house there is a different outlet for central heating            
Today they stand more as a testimonial of time then of functional. There are no chimney sweeps any more but the fact still remains they are around, places for pigeons to perch, and TV antennas to hang.They make the houses seem even and have an understated value.

Sigh!!! it would have been great to see them in their prime, smoke blowing, straight into the skies.

Colours of Spring

Colours of Spring !!!!

There is something romantic and almost relaxing about spring.


After all the rains we have had and the stories of the flooding across the county. Blue skies are a welcome relief. The tree in my back garden may not have any leaves yet but at least it is standing tall against the sky and there is hope of new life on it's branches. Including the magpies and the robins who are building their new families and homes.

 Chimneys against the blue skies. Read bricks against the blue.

A hint of a white light cloud, passing through. For centuries this picture has been the same people enjoying this for many generations

    Reminds you of Wordsworth

   " I wandered lonely as a cloud.That floats on high o'ver vales and hill."

What is so special about the clothes flying in the wind on a lovely spring day. The seem to be dancing and enjoying the sun. 

This image runs across continents and countries, washing hung outside always is a more enjoyable site.

The view of from the back garden with the play of light and shadow almost irresistible, inviting and full of promise.


Summer will be here soon, the sun is here to stay, ( well that is being a romantic). Sigh!!

We have not had snow yet; and that is always a given. But TODAY the sun is out and the world is put to right, just for this day, one day, Today.

Everything seems to have a lease of new life. and is waiting in the wings to spring to life. The garden is blossoming again.

Today could have been a beautiful spring day... So why not enjoy it

The Daffodils certainly are.

As Wordsworth wrote and I quote:
"I wandered lonely as a cloud 
That floats on high o'ver vales and hills
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden Daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees;
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."