slate grey day

Well here we are two days into a new year, drizzle outside cold inside if I'm honest. Need to get dressed because I am so fed up of this cold as in illness and temperature now.

This is a picture of my neighbours roof in the rain.

Not that you can tell from here but it's quite pretty,covered in moss and filled in with bits of tin can.The rain makes it shimmer and brings out a multitude of colours It's old probably the original roof  hence the tin can wedged between the slates to try and keep it waterproof. The houses here kind of hunker into the hillside as though they expect rain, the slate and granite bring a solidity, A bit stark in the winter but softening as the spring comes until the whole village blends into the summer greens and morning mists.

I am glad of the rain not only because it reflects my current mood but also because we have had a year of drought, First time ever in Galicia. Yes of course there have been dry spells, none that required serious water conservation though. The reservoirs still need water so the rain needs to continue. The trouble is we also need to cut wood, better done in the dry. Life is full of conflicting needs.

new year

The worst thing about having a cold is not the symptoms, though no one would suggest blocked noses sore throat and eyes and a perpetual headache are pleasant. It not even the tiredness that magically disappears the minute that you get into bed but becomes overwhelming the minute that you get out. The worst thing is the fact that you don´t want to do anything, a kind of mental tiredness that makes even getting dressed a struggle. Feeling like this on the first day of a new year is particularly stressful. This is the time for being full of resolve, planning new adventures, dreaming a little or a lot. A day for possibilities, a day for hope.

Instead all I am doing is sitting in front of the fire drinking hot chocolate.My tissues have overflowed the bin and are creeping across the floor and the disturbing thought of doing any of the small jobs planned for this holiday day is out of proportion to the size of the jobs themselves.

My resolutions are put off then as is the new in new year, for another few days. Saturday here in Spain is Kings, The last day of the Christmas break, the day when children, in this area at least, get their presents, there will be a parade, A market, lots of people eating Pulpo, lots of people in bars. The bakeries will be filled with special aniseed flavoured biscuits and the children have their last chance to be hyper and over excited.So my new year will move. Maybe the rain will have stopped, The tree man will be at the market so I can replace the apple trees that the sheep have eaten. I will be able to plan my garden and my normally overly ambitious plan for the year will seem realistic.

If am really honest a couple of days with a good book and a supply of hot chocolate Is a joy in itself, if only I had enough energy to enjoy it.