November seems to have been very wet and very dark – with a busy few weeks at work, getting out of the house in daylight seems to have been an impossibility, although I did manage 5 minutes on the balcony the other day when the sun came out. My lamp is being turned on earlier and earlier, just so I can see my computer screen. I know I say it every year, but this year feels really dark.

On Friday, finally a sunny day. But I was at my desk, working away. As the morning progressed, I was optimistically hoping the sun would stay out long enough so I could get out of the house in daylight…

I finished one task, and had a small window of opportunity to get away from my desk.

The sun was still shining – coat on, gloves on, hat on – quick, let’s go!

I headed down to the Trent Mill Nature Reserve, a tiny little woodland about ten minutes from home. It always feel like a little oasis in the city – for twenty minutes, I’m far away from my desk, far away from traffic and far away from busyness. And when the sun is shining and the sky is blue, it is an even better place to be (however cold the temperature).

There were interesting shadows and reflections, light effects and patterns on the trees, leaves to crunch under my feet and the sound of the river – the River Trent runs through the park.

It was a long afternoon when I got back, but the hour of sunshine was worth it. It is always good to get out of the house in daylight and see the sun.

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50 for 50 #15: 50 posts for my 50th birthday to be posted before I’m 51.