Subzero

We’ve reached that point in the year when most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and formed a brown mulch underfoot, exposing the decaying brambles and rosehips that still cling to life. I am very much an autumn/winter person, but even I struggle if the mud and grey skies are not broken up now and then by a streak of subzero sunshine, which is why this week has been such a relief. Bloody cold, yes - but frosty, bright and crunchable, perfect weather for warm gloves and coffee and long evenings by the fire. The bare branches are also great for spotting birds; this week I watched a goldcrest hopping between the catkins on a hazel tree, before a flock of long-tailed tits took charge with their tsee-tsee-tsee trills.

With only a month to go until my due date, I’m now starting to wind down my work and prepare for the changes 2023 will bring. I’ll still be writing my newsletter and creating all my membership content because I love that, but I’ve decided that after Christmas I’m going to pause work on my upcoming books, just until I’m settled in with the new babe. I am excited though because, as I’ve mentioned before, my brain barely functions when I’m pregnant, and I know that even though I’ll have all the chaos of a newborn soon, I will at least start to feel back to normal again in my head! That should mean my creativity and motivation return in full force over the next few months, and while I’ll still be taking it easy and enjoying a rest, I know my brain will start properly ticking away again and I cannot wait to feel like myself once more and share some new ideas with you all.

Speaking of which, I’m off for a midwife appointment now to hear the little dude’s heartbeat and talk about birth plans and trippy labour drugs. I hope you all keep warm today and enjoy the early winter sunshine!