The final few days before Christmas can become quite fraught as folks pile into the shops to buy those last-minute presents and to make sure provisions are in store for seemingly hundreds of unexpected but potential visitors.
I don’t much like grocery shopping, preferring instead to ‘click’ my selections into my basket and await delivery in the comfort of home, but having been defeated earlier in the week by a particularly potent (but fortunately short-lived) winter bug (and not being able to secure an online delivery slot) I had to face the trolley gauntlet on Friday. It looked like the shortest day was going to become a very long one. Drawing on every bit of festive cheer I could muster, I patiently navigated the obstacle course of spatially unaware (or unconcerned) fellow shoppers, and reached the check out as quickly as I could.
When a friend called to ask if I’d like to go for a walk, my first thoughts were that I didn’t want to leave the house again that day. After a few moments’ reflection I phoned her back. If I wrapped up properly, a drive off the beaten track, some fresh air and appreciation of nature would be a good way to end the shortest day of the year.
These pigeons were also having a quiet moment as we rounded the path in their direction.
The sudden beating of wings in flight was the only sound apart from our footsteps on the squelchy leaves.
Creatures watched from their posts in the undergrowth: traditional Christmas card scenes and flashes of exotic colour.
The year continues to be relatively mild, and there was no ice cover on the pond. Water dwellers looked peaceful both above and below the surface.
This is a time to reflect on another year now passed, and a time to look forward as the days lengthen and we move away from the dark and towards the light. What adventures will there be for us in 2019? For now, I’m happy to stay cosy inside.
Welcome to the Beautiful North 
Shoppers with a lack of spatial awareness is one of my pet peeves too! Glad you survived the gauntlet. Lovely photos. Happy Christmas! X
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Thank you. I could have added so much more about shoppers but wanted to avoid seeming Scrooge-like 😄 Happy Christmas to you too! X
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Enjoy your Christmas Amanda. That walk looks delightful, just the tonic after a busy battle with the shoppers! I work in a supermarket and I’m working tomorrow at 6am. Expecting chaos, but hopefully lots of people in good spirits too. :)X
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Thank you, Sharon. I hope you don’t work too late and that the shoppers behave themselves. Have a great Christmas! X
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Thank you for all your very interesting posts, 2018 has taken me to some wonderful locations even though I haven’t been able to get around easily, here’s hoping that the new year will give us the opportunity to follow in your footsteps…
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Thank you, Cora. I hope so too. I look forward to your reports when we meet. Happy Christmas to you, John and Annick.
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Thank you, and a merry Christmas to you as well, we will, no doubt, meet up in the New Year.
Cora
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I find that there is no better cure for both physical ailments and crowd fatigue than some quiet time in nature.
I hope you have since recovered and I wish you the best for 2019.
Tanja
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Thank you so much, and I wish you the same. Yes, I am now recovered, thank you. I look forward to reading your interesting blog. 🙂
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I am glad that you are better. Thank you for finding and following me. I, too, look forward to learning about your world.
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