1st Jan     Drizzle and fog through the mountains.
Made the drive longer,
but the atmosphere and views beautiful

2nd Jan The roses in flower in a mild January, seem to be missing something.  Ladybirds!

3rd Jan  Rain, rain, rain reigns

4th jan. So windy, the trees look strained, birds can hardly fly, but the sea looks so, so, fab

5th jan. Last day of twinkling lights and tinsel decorations. Oh well, only 354 days to go

6th Jan.  Calm returns as the wind blows away. Confident, intelligent magpies return to the telephone wires.  Why when I salute, do they never return the gesture?

7th.  Cooking with grandchildren.  How fulfilling to see enthusiasm and excitement in the eyes of children making simple honest food.

8th. I notice on the lawn a very early dandelion clock!  A reminder in this New Year that  nature has a clock of it's own. Reminder to self . . . time waits for no man!

9th  As I looked at the harbour tonight, I noticed her dark beauty.  However,  she had no makeup . . .there was no friendly sound of halliards rattling against  masts.

10th Looking at the harbour again. The river flowed effortlessly into the oncoming tide.  Neither seemed content to win or lose, but eventually the sea will win. All rivers flow into the same ocean.

11th  I see a friend who has made a silly minor mistake. Who hasn't? Just because of status, why should some peoples mistakes attract ridicule?  Does it make us feel better?  I guess deep down it does not.  Good luck AWT

12th Ooh, its getting colder and dryer.  The trees along the river that have been weeping for days have dried. They are looking steely, stronger and more elegant. Bracing themselves for a hopeful onset of Winter weather

13th  Friday 13th, how lucky we are.

14th  Puffed up robin in the garden for the first time this year.  Frost beneath his feet, and an enquiring look in his eye as he tilts to look at me.  I give in and share my croissant.

15th  Small amounts of ice on the pebbles along the Aeron river, like memories of yesterday frozen in time. Very soon they'll melt and rejoin their maker.

16th   On my walk this morning I saw a Dipper bobbing like he was trying to see over the crowds in front. There was noone else there, so what was he straining to see? Practising probably.  I smiled, maybe it was me

17th  Red sky today, like a warning, like a celebration, like morning, like evening, like hot, like cold. I like!

 18th  Grey, cold drizzle again.  Is it me, or does the news on the radio sound grimmer on days like this? I guess it's not, but if it is . . . . . roll on spring for some good news

19th  Good news was sprung on me today.  Has Spring sprung unexpectedly also?  Let's hope so

20th Sidsd bqf cbxt vido H ugjml ng xpt mnwd, ctu sidsd bqf mp ebxt vido H en onu!   Written in the code of my childhood :-)

21st  This morning was a world news gathering.  Bangor, London, Ryadh, Tokyo, Christchurch NZ, Samoa . . . How lucky I am to have children across the globe and be able to use technology to see them and talk to them live.  God bless

22nd   Windy again today. It's as though it has a purpose known only to itself. Unsuccessful, it returns and continues it's forceful way.  The weathermap shows it's not just here that there are things to be blown away, but across the globe.  I wonder what . . . memories, hurt, evil?  Or is just mischievous?

23rd  "Good morning"
is returned with a nod
from a passerby.
"Good morning"
Another steely stare before
returning to watch the pavement
"Good morning"
Our local road sweeper stops,
smiles and returns the greeting
Updating me with weather forecast,
gossip and news
"Good morning"
Her toddler looks up, smiles
and says "hello" before being
reined in. A cursory glance from mum.
"Good morning"
"and a good morning to you too" says
the elderly lady stepping from her car.
She goes on " How nice it is that you
take the time to wish me a good morning.
What a friendly place" !

24th  Oh garlic and shallot. How dull would our plates be without you?

25th  Haggis done.
Potatoes mashed
and buttered.
Neeps seasoned.
A success . . . . . and no burns!

26th  I drive through a local village after sunset. Hardly a light in any home.
Not because the the owners are early sleepers,
but because they light up the streets of their home towns.
Pretty holiday villages die in winter

27th  Frost, ice,
tricky driving, slippy underfoot.
Steamy breath, red noses,
Grumpling, moaning.
Oh how we love it :-)

28th  The look on the face
of a seven year old
when he's made his first burger . .
McPriceless

29th  A sign of the times is convenience.
Food wise, convenience results is less intimacy with what we eat.
Sunday roast today was fab.  Great company, conversation, food and wine.
Help with the washing up too. The biggest contributor though,
was Mr P from Tamworth.  Thanks

30th  woke in the night to the sound of owls.  The screech of a little owl followed by the hoot of a tawny.  I lay for awhile listening. They reminded me of two foreigners calling for friends. Can they understand one another, or are they just aware of each other?  I drifted back to sleep.

31st  What a sight. A blanket of snowdrops beneath naked beech trees. They herald the closeness of spring.  Goodbye January 2012, it's been interesting. Glad we met.