Spring has Sprung!

Finally, after interminable months of winter weather and dark miserable days, life is returning to Norn Iron. The lighter evenings are a joy to behold. As someone who suffers from SAD Syndrome, especially during the two months after Christmas, the return of light and the first hint of warmth; is sheer joy. This last weekend the sight of the narcissi coming into bloom in the front garden and the very mild weather encouraged me to get into the garden to start the early spring tidy up.

A bonus was found in the garden shed where my stack of pots filled with tulip bulbs are starting to come to life. About half of the pots have shoots appearing above the compost and even just setting them around the patio and garden was a wonderful tonic.

After the daily drag down and back up the M2 it is great to get out and breathe the spring air. Speaking of which, the wife has agreed to join a team taking part in the relay race at the Belfast marathon to raise money for cancer charities in memory of a friend who died of the disease at the end of last year. As a somewhat reluctant fitness fanatic, I (in a moment of weakness) offered to help her get up to speed (literally) in time for May. This involved the normally relaxed Sunday afternoon lap of Ballymoney assuming a whole new character. More like a forced march, than a dander, if you know what I mean. Forty minutes to the Portrush roundabout seemed good progress to me only to be followed by a burst of speed up to the old Coleraine road and then down through the town and back across the park to give the dog one last good run. I have to admit that as I sank into the armchair the sense of wellbeing almost cancelled out the sore feet!