In my circle of friends and family, there are several birthdays to celebrate this month; I have been to three already, with two more before the month is over.
Weather-wise, we've had a mixed bag so far, with some unseasonably warm spring-like days, a bit of rain (nowhere near enough yet to replenish the low groundwater levels from the extremely dry summer of 2018) and just recently some frosty nights and sunny, but cold days.
I can never emphasize enough how important it is to make use of the precious little daylight we get on an average work day, and to get on our feet instead of just sitting around all day at a desk and then later at home in front of the TV or computer, tempted as we may be. Those times on the settee or on our comfortable computer chairs will feel all the better when we've been active first - always, of course, considering individual circumstances and abilities.
Here is a bit about last weekend - a typical January weekend, I'd say.
I arrived at O.K.'s on Friday evening after a rather adventurous train trip; mid-trip, I had to change my travel plan twice, and the train I had originally intended to take never made it to where it was supposed to go.
On Saturday morning, we were invited for a sumptuous breakfast to celebrate an 80th birthday in O.K.'s extended family. The location was a restaurant called "Ponyhof" (losely translated as pony stable), in the countryside just outside the historic town of Gengenbach:
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| The outbuildings of the former farm are mostly decorative and for storage these days. |
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| In warmer weather, the patio is really inviting. |
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| View from the Ponyhof towards the hill behind which is Gengenbach. |
Having such a long, leisurely and sumptuous breakfast meant we did not need or want any lunch. Instead, we went for a walk in the afternoon, starting from O.K.'s cottage and walking between/around his and three neighbouring villages.
The cloudy sky made for some beautiful light; my mobile phone's camera has tried hard, but did not fully do it justice.
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| On the fields between Niederschopfheim and Diersburg. |
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| I loved it how the sun lit up patches of the fields, vineyards and orchards. |
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| The road between Diersburg and Zunsweier. |
We went on another walk on Sunday afternoon, but on the mostly flat area on the other side of the village. It felt good to have sun and wind on our faces, and even better to return to the warm cottage for coffee and cake!
My train trip home on Sunday night went without a hitch. Why can't our trains always be like that? Really, on Friday, I would have had trouble without my mobile phone. It allows me to find out about delays, cancellations and alternatives without depending on the sometimes late, incomplete or even wrong information on the train itself.
I don't mind January either. As you say, go out while it's light (preferably in the morning) and then you can feel warm and snug for the rest of the day. Right. Practice what I preach. It's time I should be out.
ReplyDeleteMost mornings, I can start work as late as 9:00, which means that I even catch some daylight while I am waiting for my trains. After standing around on cold platforms, the warm office feels much more welcoming!
DeleteI like January, as the year has turned. Just a question of wrapping up warm.
ReplyDeleteTrue - we can dress against the cold, but not against the dark. That's for us to manage the 24 hours given to each of us every day in a manner that we get to see some daylight as well.
DeleteI welcome January as a break from the hectic days of December. Five birthdays in one month is quite a few. The location of your Saturday celebration is really beautiful! I also enjoyed seeing the photos from your walk. It looks like you had a paved path to walk on which is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteWe deliberately chose the route so that we would not get all muddy, since neither of us felt like spending part of the day cleaning our boots!
DeleteYour mobile phone did a wonderful job! (And I notice you say mobile phone like the Brits do, we say cell phone in America.)
ReplyDeleteI don't mind January, it is Febru-WEARY that I don't like! And that horrid Valentine's day, why, it has almost turned me against liking hearts!
I do envy your long walks in such open countryside, it looks lovely. x
You against liking hearts?! Never, Kay!
DeleteValentine's means nothing to me personally; it is not a tradition I grew up with but something that has become more and more promoted here year after year to push sales of flowers, cards, chocolates, perfumes and so on.
I often call my mobile phone just "mobile", when it is clear from the context that I am talking about my phone.
I love our walks! The ones this past weekend were both almost exactly 10 km long, without us planning them that way.
January is the month of my birthday, also, so I cannot dislike it. (I was surprised to read on a blog that last Monday is Blue Monday and supposed to be the most depressing day of the year!) We've been having a lot of sunlight, especially in the morning hours and that makes me feel quite cheerful even if it is cold outside! It has been cold and snowy, too. I like your photos of the winter skies which can often be very beautiful in their own way. I cannot walk as I used to like doing, but it is good to be outside. And then go back in to the warmth.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also read about Blue Monday on another blog, which prompted me to post my weekend pictures as a contrast.
DeleteI like blue skies, too, but the fast-changing clouds and golden light are special, aren't they.
What a beautiful place. I love looking at your pictures of countryside, I also love taking long walks, especially by the sea, we have a very long coastline here. The countryside is also not far, in fact we are surrounded by sea and countryside and mountains.
ReplyDeleteThe sea is about 800 km away from my area, so I do not get to walk along a coastline often! When I used to spend my summers on Sicily back when I was married to a Sicilian, we never went for long long walks - it was too hot during the day in the middle of summer. But of course we went on the passeggio at night!
DeleteThe photos were much clearer when viewed in enlarged format. I thought they were very atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in New Zealand I call my mobile phone a mobile or a cellphone. I almost never refer to it orally as a mobile phone.
I travelled between Bishopbriggs and Edinburgh on the new fast electric trains recently. I was very impressed.
As for January I embrace it for what I can do in January just as I do any other month. It is easier to live with the seasons than rail against them.
Your last sentence is so true, Graham!
DeleteI hope that most of my readers will click on the pictures in my posts so that they can view them enlarged; I do it with most blogs, too.
When I talk about my mobile, I call it my mobile. In writing, I often add "phone" just to make sure it is understood what I mean.
Lovely light in some of these photos (I do agree about making use of the light we can find this time of year!) And I love the building in the first photo! I've often felt that if I could, I'd gladly "skip" January and February - but as nowadays I rarely have to get up and out early... never mind :) This January so far has been strange as it's been very mild here, and no snow. The good thing is that it's not even been icy, which means I've been able to walk without fear of slipping and falling!
ReplyDeleteThere are many similar buildings around here, Monica; they are rather typical for old farms who often functioned like small, self-contained towns, being the working and living place for many people (and even more animals).
DeleteWe've been having a frosty spell this week, but it is supposed to get a little milder again; no snow in sight yet.