Jottings - February 7th - light at the tunnel's end?

 It's been a week of ups and downs, but overall it's felt like a cheerful, hopeful week. One in which a glimpse of light at the end of the Covid tunnel appeared. It's faint and far off at the moment, but it's better than stumbling about in the pitch black as we've been doing for the last year.

The week, and month, started bright and sunny - always a good way to raise spirits. 

Enthused by the weather I went out for a short spell of weeding and tidying the garden, and uncovered snowdrops, polyanthus, and crocus; sure signs of spring being not far away.  

Inside, a pot of mini daffodils came into flower to brighten the kitchen windowsill.

This was just a background to the best news. One morning my husband unexpectedly received a text inviting him along for a covid jab that afternoon! We were both amazed. Obviously we knew the vaccination programme was underway, and trickling down through age/health groups, but even with underlying health issues we'd expected him to be waiting a few more weeks at least.

My youngest daughter phoned with two bits of wonderful news (I won't share them but they really cheered me up)

Having nursed my sourdough starter for a week, I've eventually made bread. The first loaf wasn't very good - too salty, and chewy - but the second was better., despite its rather crinkly crust. I've been sharing my sourdough adventures - cinnamon buns, pancakes, and baked apple sandwich - over on Instagram, and joining in with Some Good Ideas lockdownloafclub 

I finished knitting a hat with 'Christmas present' wool. I've already made gloves, and fortunately have enough for a short scarf, which is great.

Not all the week went as brilliantly. On Candlemas/Groundhog Day I watched the weather as I always do, and although it was an overcast start to the day, by eleven (which is the time that matters) the light was bright enough to cast shadows - not good. Tradition says to expect another six weeks of winter, and by the end of the week frosts had returned. Other things seemed to echo this but I feel like winter and the pandemic have turned a corner and better days are ahead.