Yesterday was my first run since Christmas Eve! Frozen shoulders, ( literally) and an immovable stiff neck put paid to any ideas of mobility! But enough of my old moans!
Yesterday morning, bright and early I was out there. I had maintained a gentle strength and flex routine, accompanied husband on his daily constitutional walk, very gently also, and administered to myself, my Great grandmother and my Grandmother's remedy for every kind of muscular ache and strain.. warm olive oil! It does work!!!!
But, back to yesterday morning. I travelled a different route and intended only, to complete a brisk walk for about 30 minutes..no music no Laura, no running....no nothing!
I warmed up slowly and headed up the hill towards the Common. It was quite surreal, I saw no one and was passed by only one car. I guess a lot of folks are having the whole week off, if they can. Crossed the big roundabout and thought... well, a short, gentle jog could be okay... if anything hurts.. I will stop.
So softly, softly, off I set....
It was then that I began to notice the birds... the first time for a while... the sky was bright and the air was clear...but, lots and lots of birds. Running ever so gently and trying to land lightly, my feet providing a soft rhythmic beat to the bird song. As I ran along by the drives of the very big houses....( v posh), the sparrows were sewing a zig zag line of nip and tuck in the hedgerow... lots of small birds feathering, fussing and chattering in the hidden bushes of the gardens and high, high above, a single lonely seagull like a white sailed yacht , skimmed effortlessly, against a blue sea/sky.
A huge monkey-puzzle tree in one of the front gardens even had a robin on one of its huge outstretched branches, posing for next year's Christmas card! Beautiful!
I was amazed with myself... I was having no pain from my neck; I was not out of breath, as I assumed I would be, after my strains and the slight excesses of Christmas yummies! It was feeling wonderful!
So good to be back out in the morning air and with company. Three large crows balanced precariously on a wire stretched between two houses, hooded and shrouded like high court judges and the ubiquitous pigeons across the road, strutting like portly, grey suited business men... they took no notice of me.
I was careful not to go to far, and halfway up the hill turned and crossed to the other side for the return journey downhill!
Still running... twenty minutes now, just slowly, with time to enjoy new views... a small lake the other side of the hedge by the golf course, almost hidden behind the towering, ivy clad poplars. Why had I never noticed it ever before... always in a car I suspect and always going somewhere; at this point I was joined by magpies! Three different pairs... high on the topmost branches of the trees, swooping and landing, gliding and wheeling... I swear they were playing a game with me... now behind, now ahead, with their distinctive noisy chattering, their black plumage transformed to an iridescent purplish blue against the brightening sky...The age old rhyme tumbling in my head... One for sorrow, two for joy...!
I had been steadily gaining speed, but back at the roundabout I stopped, and turned to look back. The moon, which had been in front of me as I ran uphill, was almost invisible now, her silver gown fading into the morning and back the other way, a strengthening sun making its welcome presence felt.
I walked the rest of the way home. I had run very steadily for just about thirty minutes. My breathing was even, I was warm, and feeling truly elated and privileged, for the company of the feathered friends!
Another run tomorrow, weather permitting; starting Couch25K+... yes, Santa did buy me a wonderful new phone. Looking forward to it. The Grey Snail returns! 
Bird Song and silence
