Sunday, January 01, 2012

New Year


Family and friends have visited - I've been indulged beyond belief with presents, fed to bursting, laughed and cried. I've enjoyed every minute of your company. Thank you all so much. Can we do it again next year?

My twinkly Christmas tree still glistens in the corner; so pretty...but oh dear, there is the faintest whiff of stale spruce which I will not be able to tolerate for much longer. The party's over, we've turned the corner of the year and it is time to move on.

New Year's day then in the small mountain kingdom of Trelystan.....wet and mild; a stark but benevolent landscape, surprisingly green. Isn't it rather beautiful? If those trees were lace on a gown of green they would surely be the talk of the town.

After drought conditions prevailed for a large part of 2011 we now find ourselves saturated. The little lane under our window runs with water like a stream and the trudge to the hens is a slip-slidey affair.

Which of course doesn't bother the Naughtiest Sheep, seen here with our dog Wilson, the most handsome bull terrier in Trelystan. (Both wish to be on the other side of a closed gate...neither appreciating that the world is not hugely different whichever side one is on.)

The Naughty Sheep has no trouble, sharp hoofed as she is, manoeuvring the slippy bank to the hen pen - and nudging my hen food bucket as she goes. Ever hopeful.


Thus it was, sheep and bucket at my side we went up at dusk this evening and stood awhile.


Over in the dark conifers of Badnage Wood an owl hooted. (Oh joyous sound! We haven't heard owls for ages.) The sky was clear and, as my eyes became accustomed to the dark, a bright small moon and star upon star upon star appeared; a delicious panoply indeed.


The Plough, that most familiar of constellations, lay over the Wood - on its back looking as a plough should look.


It is a constant. There will be something very wrong if it is not there tomorrow. For all the changes that we hope a new year will bring there are always things which should remain the same. Love, health, hope and happiness. Peace too.

I wish you all these things for 2012 - we are together under the same sky.



11 comments:

rachel said...

Have just read this immediately after coming indoors with the dogs, having gazed up at the Plough as we walked - so lovely.

It's green, damp and mild here too - winter hasn't touched us at all yet. But oh, how it rains!

Cro Magnon said...

So wet here this morning that the dogs (and me) refuse to venture out! We have wonderful owl hootings too, but mostly early mornings. Your Trelystan landscape looks beautiful.

Twiglet said...

Happy new Year F. Snow on Corndon today!

Frances said...

Mountaineer, your beautiful description of your Kingdom at the new year has really been delightful to read.

Ahhh, to be able to look up and the constellation instead of too many tall buildings with electric lights...bliss!

Best wishes to you for 2012.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Happy New Year! :)

Pondside said...

How pleased I was to see a post from you this morning!
We are, for sure, under the same sky - lovely thought! I often consider that at night as I walk the dog under a star-filled sky.

Kirsty.A said...

Wishing you a happy new year in your beautiful part of the UK

Tattieweasle said...

Pass the water over this way when you've finisihed! I've still got an empty moat! Love the naughty sheep - alweays got a soft spot for rebels of the four legged variert. Happy New Year!

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Yes you are back again! And what a lovely post. We hear owls sometimes but not for a few weeks. More when it is cold I think? Could that be right?

Fennie said...

Lovely post, Mountainear. I wish you all for 2012 that you may wish yourself and long may the gate hold.

Jayne said...

Happy new year. So glad to see you are back!
Naughty sheep is also very brave, almost nose to nose with the very white Wilson.