January - it must be the month which holds the record for the most conflicting feelings about it. I get the impression most people dislike this long, dark & cold month. And… I get it, it’s certainly a comedown from the frantic activities that come with December and the festive season.

But this is what I LIKE about January, the gaps in my diary at the weekends, the winter walks where you know how many layers will be sufficient, followed by home and the closing of the curtains, lighting candles - the drawing inwards, the natural reflectiveness which comes at this time of year. And the light, which on a clear day is pure magic.

To a certain extent, I even enjoy the dark, but more so the creeping in of more daylight every day. And of course, those little green shoots - the promise of Spring. Bulb planting is the most optimistic part of my gardening year!

That Arctic blast before Christmas was quite intense wasn’t it?! But it was a great opportunity to see birds, not so great for them but it was wonderful to see tens of blackbirds guzzling Rowan berries on my way to work.

As I’ve gotten older I have deepened, or even cultivated an appreciation for all times and seasons, to see them for what they are, why they are important, what they really look like and not just what I ‘think’ I see. The death and decay - the senescence of winter is now beautiful to me. Before I couldn’t see it, I only saw dead brown plants, but now I see a full circle!

See, smell, hear, touch the season and it shows you how to appreciate it - even in January!

But dear January, a little less rain please and maybe a little snow would be lovely, thanks!