The darkness of the January dawn rolled back a little earlier than usual today , just shortly after 8a.m. Weak rays of winter sunlight had already lit up the porch as I collected the mail.

Today the skies were clear. Just enough time perhaps, to do a few rounds of the park. Essential if I hope to do the Camino a few months hence!

Emerging from my car and wrapped warmly in my winter woollies I stride out.
Bracing air and biting winds swirl around me. I take a moment to adjust .The sky is an azure blue. I pause, to absorb the celestial tapestry, edged with the topmost branches of denuded trees. January's daylight is at its scintillating best. Crisp and sharp like a well-cut diamond it blows the cobwebs away and is revivifiying.

As I make my way past the little stream, flurries of snow blow in from a northerly direction. Sleet mostly, they soon melt as they hit the ground. As I increase my pace along the forest track, a rustle in the pile of leaves draws me in. A squirrel begins to scurry along the huge bark of a recently felled tree. Despite my preoccupation with work matters, I pause for a moment to take in this natural snapshot in the January woodlands. It's a Grey and Greys don't hibernate and are rather more crepuscular, showing up earlier and later in the day.

The forest tracks are muddy and swampy underfoot.The impact of the heavy December rains still remains. Turning the corner by the 18th century Gate Lodge, I'm stopped in my tracks by the sight of the emerging bottle-green shoots . Nestled under the ancient oak, these green shoots of early snowdrops , raise my spirits. They recall to mind the opening lines of Wordworth's, 'Song to a Snowdrop'

Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far,once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend
Like an unbidden guest.

I pull my beanie hat closer to keep warm and face into the biting wind. My extremities begin to warm up. No more shivers .

An elderly man, snow white locks blowing freely in the sharp breeze,zooms past on roller blades. Mother Nature's winter tonic is right here in this woodland walk!

I long to linger and savour more of January's joys but duty calls. Nevertheless forty or so minutes of January's bracing air is revitalizing.