Evidence of energy

Yesterday, I decided to go to an English National Trust property with extensive grounds. Every year, the first week in June sees a spectacular display of rhododendrons on this estate, and I wanted to view them in full flower, since I've been too late to see the peak of their glamour each year since I moved back to the area. Indeed, they really are amazing - I have never seen such a display! And in this trip to look at the flowers, I realised how much my health has improved.

Last year, I was a week or so too late to see the most impressive blooming and, in any case, too tired - due to anaemia triggered by the cancer - to do anything more than walk about 200 metres from the car park. This year, I not only spent a couple of hours foraging about in the centre of the spectacle, but I also climbed to the top of the estate to admire the view back into the valley - quite a climb, although 'tamed' by the gardeners.

I discovered that, this year, too, the estate managers have begun to develop a labyrinth among the rhododendrons. It's rather beautiful, but it's also quite easy to become disoriented as you walk up narrow, twisty paths. Indeed, these dark alleys with dead ends and unexpected turns seem to be rather an interesting metaphor for my recent experiences of life...