Taken this morning this picture shows one of my favourite flowers.  I just love poppies, I hope you do too!

One minute it was raining, then hailstones, then the sun came out!  At that point I decided it was time I went for my walk.  What’s that expression, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing?  On with the big coat then, well, the wind is rolling in from the north west and it feels like it’s only 7 or 8 degrees.  I remind myself that it is only 8 weeks until the longest day, the summer solstice!

Anyway, I’m off for my walk.  Walking is such great exercise not just for physical benefit but for clearing the head.  I recently hurt my back, the third time this year, and it has been difficult to establish a routine.  However after a couple of weeks on medication and rest my physio suggested it was time to stop taking the tablets and to get moving again and to walk at least twice a day for 30 minutes each time.  I’ve been doing just that for a week now and at last I’m feeling so much better.  I’ve just increased the 30 minutes up to 40 minutes and I shall now be striding out for longer with each walk.

Of course it hasn’t been as straightforward as hurting my back, for in March my dear mother passed away and I’m still trying to come to terms with that loss.

I put my head down and walk like this until I move away from the main road and the traffic.  Then it’s into the lane and I slow my pace going up the slight incline.  On either side of me the rain is still dripping off the trees and into the puddles and I feel my mood change.  I push my hood back and my depression is swept away by the wind.  It’s time to start making plans again.