Winter Winds

Monday 29 January 2024

Over the last couple of weeks the endless rains of December and early January have abated somewhat, and the cold snap, now passing, has brought some wonderful frosty mornings to the Chilterns. Such occasions must rank amongst the finest times of the year for walking: low sun, long shadows, crisp air, and clear blue skies. Dressed for the cold and the wind, it is difficult to beat a winter ramble and the inevitable coffee stop that follows, and I wanted to share a small selection of pictures on this Blog of some recent walks. I hope that you enjoy them.

I have stepped up my mileage this month, to include a stint of four consecutive long day walks, in order to check that my legs are still in working order after the festive excesses, and to improve my fitness for another possible challenge in the next few months: more on that later in February. Until then I will be enjoying some further winter rambles with Rachel and with friends, and with the walking group here in the hills of west Hertfordshire, along with a few solo ‘sprints’ with my nordic poles. I hope to see a few of you shortly, either socially or perhaps in the outdoors!

Reviewing my Blogs recently I notice that I have just passed 200 posts since the first missive on 3 May 2021 announcing my LETJOG trek. All but the first dozen or so pieces, whilst I got into my stride, bear a song-title heading. The first such was ‘The Night Before’ by The Beatles, and since then I have sought to cover quite a wide spectrum of pop, rock and folk titles from around these isles, from across the Pond, and with an occasional excursion further afield. My aim has been to widen my own knowledge and experience of music by choosing appropriate numbers that capture the essence of my walking experience and something of the landscapes and people that I encounter on the way. From these titles I have developed some great playlists, so it is important that I select pieces of music that I enjoy listening to and that, however eclectic, sit comfortably with my other song choices.

Today’s offering, ‘Winter Winds’, is a song written and recorded by London-based folk-rock quartet Mumford & Sons, taken from their 2009 debut studio album ‘Sigh No More’. The number offers a quietly optimistic account of our efforts in ‘constantly fighting the wind’, be that literal (whilst on the trail perhaps) or figuratively, around our relationships. The lyrics contain the reassurance ‘remember spring swaps snow for leaves’, and indeed, on my walks around these parts during the last week, I have seen the first sign of daffodil spikes starting to emerge from their hibernation.