Snow!

Finally, it snowed! The last time it snowed to any noticeable extent here was at the beginning of 2006. I remember this because I'd only recently moved house and I drove through a blizzard to collect flooring. Why does this stick in my mind? Well, apart from the fact that I was about the only person out driving that day, I have a recollection of feeling drained and ill and wishing I was at home in bed. I was in the middle of undergoing medical investigation after a pre-Christmas haemorrhage which resulted in a rapid visit to the Accident and Emergency department of my local hospital and a lot of rummaging about by a very junior doctor who informed me that he was only doing this because he had to take gynaecology as part of his training... Not very encouraging really!

Anyway, the contrast today was amazing. Not only did I get up and dressed early, putting out my neighbour's and my own recycling bins by 07.30, but I took the dogs for a double length walk - they hadn't ever seen "real" snow before and were very excited - but I then walked to the health centre to collect a prescription for my neighbour, then took it to the pharmacy for preparation. After that, I went to examine progress on the development project and fixed a broken downpipe while I was there. And all in the snow which, as you probably know, is quite difficult to walk in! Furthermore, I was so energised by my exercise today that I walked home and, instead of collapsing with a cup of tea as I've been doing for the last few months after exercise, I went straight to work.

Now, whenever I think grumpy thoughts about the falling snow, I reflect on the fact that I can enjoy it when I'm out walking. Such a change from that awful drive in the snow of two years ago.