welsh hills again

 In 2019, at the tender age of sixty four, I did the Couch to 5K programme, a running programme on an app designed to take you from no running at all (i.e. the couch!) to running for 30 minutes without stopping.  I think the 5k is a bit of a misnomer as very few people who go through the programme end up running 5k in the 30 minutes at which the programme aims. I had never been a runner, never been sporty at all.  At school I specialised in sloping off from all sporting activity and sitting in the sun by the tennis courts with a book, joining in at the last minute by apparently returning from the toilets.  As an adult I learned that I loved walking and yoga or Pilates.  It was apparently ball sports or organised games that I didn't like.  I did actually enjoy physical activity if it was the right physical activity.   I only started couch to 5k because Ian was doing it, having committed himself, after a glass or two of wine, to running a half marat...

I have always loved Spring and here we are in February.  There are tiny signs of spring.  In the bottom of the hedges along the lanes snowdrops are showing.  Last week we visited a churchyard at Llantysilio, about half an hour from here, which is famous for its snowdrops.  We went on a Sunday afternoon, thinking the church would not be in use then, but as we wandered among the gravestones we could hear the sounds of singing and an organ playing.  Under the lych gate at the entrance to the churchyard was a notice indicating the there was a service that day to bless the snowdrops.  It was a strange idea, almost pagan.  I am not aware of any Christian significance in snowdrops other than perhaps that they could be said to be an indication of new life to come. Because I love spring so much and have never been keen on February I am making a particular effort right now not to wish the days away.  I used to do this a lot, longing for sunshine and longer ...