We passed the winter solstice about a week ago and the daylight hours should be getting longer again. Not that we have noticed. The difference is marginal to begin with, and the sun has been in hiding behind thick clouds and fog.

The days in-between have been favorable this year if you’re an employee and in need of some sleep-ins and days of doing nothing. With both Christmas and New Year happening in the middle of the week the amount of vacation days needed to make up more than two weeks off has been minimal.

Thick clouds and fog, and a wet drizzle just hanging in the air, is what’s been on offer from the weather gods. “Bleak” is an English word that comes to mind. Not weather for being outside unless you have a purpose, something to accomplish, or a dog to walk.

After a couple of days in town, eating left over Christmas dinner, we head for the summer house where we can light a fire, listen to the wind howl and the rain smattering on the roof.

The rain hangs in the air as we walk with Cooper past the tractor and the caravan and up to the TV mast, whose red lights we can see above the tree tops from the house at night.

Maria and Leo are here. We light the Weber, barbecue some chicken and pour some wine, and afterwards we watch a movie.
In a couple of days it will be another new year. Who knows what it will bring…

These are the days in-between.