Midwinter

on walking on new years day high up on the ridgeway the landscape was laid out before us

sleeping and bare trees in wind-stopping rows silhouetted against a cold blue sky

 cloud scudding sky the showers were frequent but as the sun shone it cast long late afternoon shadows across fields of winter sown crops

 old farm buildings seen better days rusting with enviable paint colour stained...blue and green in stark contrast

our hands were frozen by the end ears ringing numb buffeted along by the blustery gale. hawthorn bushes bent windward ,stunted but alive with berries a snack for the birds if the snow comes again.

It was bracing our lungs filled with fresh cold air glad to be alive, walking confidently into another year and all its possibilities and dreams there for the taking.