When I was laying in Bed on Sunday Morning I had a feeling in my bones, a hint, a sensation, that the sun may appear. It has been so wet, grey and sad. I am outside every day and will go out no matter what but the constant grey, wind, drizzle and cold has really taken its toll on my mental and physical health. I feel as if the temperature will never rise again. I love the winter but this winter has been so colourless and sodden. It’s been hard. So when I felt the sun was going to come (and checked the met office app) I was straight up and out towards the light. First along the Comber Greenway where I could see the sun rise fighting through the trees.
Then I was met with the drama of the mist clinging to the dew at Belmont. At this time there were just a few dog walkers around. I changed my soundtrack from an audio book to some music and turned it down a little so I could hear the birds.
Anyone who knows me will know how I feel about walking – I’m obsessed. I have always been a manual traveller but I started taking dedicated walks every day about 3 years ago and now I cannot make it through the day without at least an hour of hitting the pavement, blasting something on my headphones and breathing deeply through the city. It’s free and freeing and has been the only kind of meditation that has ever worked for me. It also provides me with seasonal, free delicacies. So, as I walked slowly round the park to feel the briefly lived sun on my face I also saw which plants were out to catch the light too. Dock, plantain, dandelion are never far away but I was happy to see the start of garlic mustard, baby cleavers and the first nettles too.
With my gathers I made some salted greens for fridge storage and a big hearty soup – recipe here – and had a short lived feeling of elation. Please sun, come back a little more. We need you
A reminder that I have a series of events in Belfast running every last Sunday-ish of the month. New events have just been added. I can’t guarantee and improvement in the weather but I can guarantee a nice walk and something tasty at the end. Book here!
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