Inspiration

What is it about these dark January days? Yes, maybe, like me, you’ve noticed the mornings getting lighter, just slightly… yes, perhaps there is a blackbird that sings from time to time outside my bedroom window; but there’s just something about these two or three weeks in January that make me feel as if we are lying in the never-ending depths of winter. Not even a sparkling frozen winter; just grey.

To lighten the gloom, we’re delighted of course to offer a crazy Sale over on the shop website, which you just may be interested in: 20% off everything, starting from today, and running until the 26th. Woohoo!! Please have a browse and see if that is one way to put a smile on your face?  And if you can get to London, or to Rugby Street, there will be further considerable special offers in store. So I hope that is useful too, and makes a journey worthwhile.

But let’s face it, fun as it is (and it is very fun) to have an exciting new cushion or a Marianna Kennedy Lamp that you have been lusting after but couldn’t quite afford…Sales aren’t quite everything. I’ve got to confess I’m very very happy to be going to the mountains for a short trip later in the month, for Will’s birthday, which will be over before it has begun, but will be good;  and I’ve got to admit I’m even more excited to have a trip to New York and then to beautiful Harbour Island, and a little bit of heat, to look forward to in March… which is somehow the month that one really needs cheering up, I sometimes think.

It’s funny, looking back at some of the postings that I’ve made at around about this time of year, to see how it seems to be a rather recurrent theme to dream of other places or climates in this particular week in January, or roundabouts: have a look at 2012, or 2010, and see what I mean. I guess it’s just what I think about between the 6th and 15th of January.

So this afternoon, I’ve been having a little daydream about summer in my garden in Dorset. And in fact making a few plans. Low box hedges around the veg garden?  I think so.  Spring bulbs? Yes, please. Cow Parsley on the lanes?  I cannot wait.  Long summer evenings? Roll on. My great friend George always teases me (just slightly, and with slight justification) that my garden is in fact the most photographed in Britain, perhaps in Europe, who knows, the world.  That was a record, according to his family legend, that used to be held by his mother Laura. Then came along digital cameras, and me.  Move over Laura.  Anyway, there might be a bit of truth in what he says.  I don’t think I mind.  It’s what keeps me ticking over in the dark days. And so here are some memories of years past. It’s that time of year…

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Please don’t forget that we are recruiting. Applications for the decoration role close on Wednesday and we will be interviewing the following week.  Applications for the Practice manager role close on 28th January.  More details for both jobs may be found here.