On these dark, dreary, rainy days it’s so very tempting to hibernate.  Why would you venture out into that gloom? Far better to do a dormouse impression, or a hedgehog:  curl up and wait for the light to return.

But no, we were never meant to be hibernating creatures after all.  We cannot sleep away the winter, however tempting that is.  Whatever the weather, we need to get out, to move our limbs and to breathe in some fresh air, even if it’s only a brisk walk round the block.  

Where I live there’s a little park nearby and oh, the blessing of a green space and a lungful of fresh air, and, as a bonus, a quick nod to a dog walker and, perhaps even more beguiling, a quick word with their dog.  

And then sometimes if you’re lucky, if you’re very lucky, you might be surprised by a shaft of winter sunlight.  It comes suddenly and touches the trees and bushes with its golden light, transforming everything in sight, and reminding us that darkness and gloom don’t have the last word after all.