I’m a really lucky person.  There are many many reasons why that is true, but for this daily scribble I’m going to focus on just one.

Today, after more than a week without any real exercize plus a lot of time spent sitting at a computer, I headed off up the nearby hill for a walk.

It’s a route I know since childhood that goes up a steep road and some muddy tracks until twenty minutes later you’re wandering through wild hilly fields and pine forests.

The view is a vast panoramic of the valley and the river Lee below.  As you move further up you start to leave the distant sounds of traffic behind, replaced by the oceanic whish of the wind singing through the trees.

Today for once I set off on my walk early and, with plenty daylight to spare, allowed myself the luxury of exploring obscure paths and nooks and crannies I hadn’t tried before.

I happened upon a route that led to a rarely-used rough road (perhaps for the local farmers) that subsequently led to another miniature forest with a bed of soft moss and pine needles; it was like walking on cushions.

We passed through a field of cows that, unlike the brazen ones across from our house, were very timid and didn’t charge after me or moo at us to stay and play with them.

Bunny rabbits scattered in a panic of flashing white tails until I finally paused to drink some water and inspect the ominous dark clouds up north.  I had on my wellies and my rain-jacket, if the heavens opened up on me I’d survive; unhurriedly I continued my wanderings.

Sure enough, as we rounded a bend and I realized that we’d done a loop of sorts and could follow a familiar path home, the drops started falling fast and the rain came at me horizontally thanks to a fierce and insistent wind.

But just minutes after it started, the sun was already shining again from behind, creating a soft golden glow on the wet fields.

Slipping around in the muck, it was some time before I glanced up properly and the sight before me was astounding – a perfectly arched rainbow glowing vibrantly in all its magical colours, against a backdrop of a sky filled with dark heavy clouds.

A wet phone and a few photos later, I suddenly realized there was a second fainter rainbow around the outside of the first and I stopped several times to observe the transparent yet vibrant arcs as they seemingly arose from some bushes in the field opposite.

Finally, feeling tired and damp but quite content, I arrived home with two soggy dogs and some mucky boots.  I entered the house and made a hot cup of tea, changed into dry tracksuit pants and put my feet up.

That – all of that – is why I am a really lucky person.  Because not only do I have the time and the energy to enjoy a long trek through nature about once a week (a soothing and rejuvenating hour or more of quiet reflection and invigorating exercize) I have the abundance of beautiful fields and woods to wander through practically on my doorstep.

And that is something really special.

Ciao darlings!

Lizzie xxxx