Day 82. Shouldn't it be sand?

Footprints in the sand.

That's what I'd like to be looking at now. Deep, water filled footprints. You know the ones you leave as you walk along the ocean's edge? The ones where you can feel that slight pull, the suction from the wet sand, as you lift up each foot. Footprints that look best on warm sand, next to clear blue water and underneath sunny skies.

Instead the fire is lit and we are at risk of needing to order more oil in the next week if it stays this cold. Tonight seems the perfect time to book a summer holiday. By which time of course we'll be complaining about a heatwave. For now though I'll make the most of the crackle of the logs; that's one of the main upsides to wintry weather. That and footprints in the snow.

Day 50. The empty suitcase.

It's been a bit of a crazy work day as I've been focused on tidying up projects before I take three days leave. Yes. Three days. This may seem insignificant to many of you but if I tell you the last time I had five days off was in August then you'll understand the context. Tomorrow I head out of the door. Just me and one very excited 8 year old; mine of course, I haven't nabbed a child in a bid to justifiably take part in the many child-friendly half-term activities happening in the North West this week.

I love this time before any journey. The empty suitcase, full of opportunity. So much promise. So many possibilities. The known and the unknown. Three days. I can do a lot with that.