They Say It's Spring

April 18, 2016 by Ray Morgan

They say it's spring

Now, don't get me wrong, I love cosying up with a red wine by a fire, or looking out of the window when it's snowing, but despite my hearty love of all things cold and wintry, I must admit that I am greatly cheered by the onset of spring.

There's something wonderfully hopeful about the season; a sign of goodness to come. People are in good moods! They're optimistically wearing flip flops even though their feet will be little blocks of ice after a walk down the Broadway! Sunglasses are out of retirement!

This weather makes me long for a garden. My whole adult life, I've lived in upstairs flats, and even though I've got the cliffs and beach a few minutes away, I long to sit in my own little outdoor space. I love seeing blossom flit down from trees, against that brilliant blue sky of early spring days. Bunches of fresh daffs are on a constant rotation in my living room, giving cheer.

My parents treated me and my partner to a weekend away in Clavering, staying at the Cricketers, owned by Jamie Oliver's parents, you know, where he learned to chop veg as a bairn. It was restorative, relaxing, and sitting at breakfast on Sunday with bright sunshine pouring through the windows felt powerfully good. Especially after the prosecco from the night before.

We drove to Battlesbridge on the way home, rummaging through the antique shops, and the four of us sat outside (outside!) the Barge Inn with a cider, shading our eyes from the warming sun.

When we got home, it felt too wrong to stay indoors, so Jo and I walked up the road and sat outside Birdwood cafe, drinking tea in the sun. A friend walked past and joined us for a drink. Something about sitting outside, having an impromptu chat, in the sunshine, felt so springlike - and a treat following the dark days of winter.

I know it's not all sunshine and blossom-carpeted pavements. Some of you reading this might be going through a difficult time; I certainly know that friends of mine are. But maybe a spring walk, or watching the way the sky changes, or getting a bunch of bright, cheering flowers, might just be the tonic you need. Spring is here and we should embrace it, we deserve it!

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