A New Year!

Another year has started - 2019 already, 2018 still seemed young to me.

The year has got off to a good start, lots of work, lovely walks out and about.

Sunny riverside walks...

and riverside sunsets.

Dramatic beach sunsets...

and murky hillside sunsets (this is a non-photographer taking a picture of a photographer taking a photograph- hence he's not very visible! His shot was much better).

Monochrome winter promenades...

and gloomy woodland stomps.

Nothing is getting done in the garden yet, lists are forming in my mind but nothing is persuading me to go out into the gloom/rain/cold. Other things are on the move!!

After a lovely settled Christmas with the family we've started on a more changeable phase of life now. 

My son (in the cap below) is off travelling for 4 months this weekend, his lovely girlfriend has already gone.

I'm managing my anxiety so far - I'm adopting the 'head in the sand' approach and pretending it's not happening. That's going to stop working when he actually does go! As they keep saying on the news - we're in uncharted territory!!

My daughter (right) is planning her travelling for later in the year with her (also lovely) boyfriend so I better get used to it. Having recently expanded our family to six, we're moving ever closer to the time when it's more often just the two of us.

I might feel the need to retreat into the garden for some recuperation and restorative time.

If only the weather would settle down and the list of essential (and therefore tedious) jobs was shorter! 

Then if ever I needed proof that things carry on regardless and hope springs eternal - the Iris Reticulata appeared, rain-soaked and cheerful!

What a beautiful colour - Hurrah for spring!

And please ignore the weeds on the right.

-x😳x-