Winter Whinging

Christmas came, and darkness.
Our "paper" anniversary (1-January). And snow: lots of it, repeatedly -- at least for this part of the world.
In between the snowy bit came days of staggering clarity, time for afternoon walks, with the winter sun glancing off the river to blind frolicing dogs and their walkers too.


Her Majesty's swans can never be over-fed; they and the other local flocks gather wherever the joggers and pram-walkers are out sunning.

And somehow the damp cold, slipping, sliding (and maybe some late nights) made need for days in bed -- for both of us, at various times. And gave rise to wondering what happens next (now that Ellie has earned her Master's Degree (with Distinction)?

The answer is that we spent the winter preparing extensive applications for Ellie to gain a visa extension as a "post-study worker" and biting our nails. Just last week we heard from H.M. Border Agency that Ellie (and husband) have "leave to remain" for a year or two, and that she can pursue apprenticeships, work, and further training in her field. Life is good!

This winter we had two special trips to London: we phoned our local MP and gained admission to a tour of the Houses of Parliament at Westminter, much of which is jaw-droppingly grand and historic. And on another cold sunny morning we met our local Vicar for prayers at St. Margaret's Church in Westminster Abbey, and stayed for evensong in the Abbey. On the way we happened upon Parliament's copy of Rodin's bigger-than-life tableau of The Burghers of Calais alongside the River Thames.



January, February, and part way through March we have seen the sun slowly climb the garden wall. We admit it: we have become Winter Wimps, and revel in the bird tweets and recent crocus arrivals in Lane End.
We have four feeders in the front tree, and the little winged piggies eat enough to make us think of having a teenager to feed.


Enough of this wool, wind, and wet! The winter rains have gone, at least for the past week, and spring is upon us.