I love this time of year, especially when we get snow that is more than 2” deep and that stays for more than 1- 2 day. It’s a great opportunity to get out on the fat bike and to go camping in winter conditions.
We’ve had a couple of snow periods this winter. So I went camping and trudged round my local haunts on the fat bike. Trudged being the appropriate word. I’m sure it would’ve been easier walking, but it was definitely a lot more fun on the bike.
There’s no snow at Christmas this year and I can’t remember the last time we had any. However, resident social media weatherman Windy Wilson, forecasts snow for the end of this week. A white Hogmanay is a possibility and almost as good as a white Christmas.
In between camping, biking, and eating turkey, there’s nothing I like more than catching up with family and friends over the Christmas holidays. Good discussion and craik to be had. But I generally try and avoid the excessive amounts of alcohol that often accompany these. I can’t handle the hangover nowadays.
At this time of year I also get time to reflect on the past 12 months, and about Christmas itself. What makes it special ?
For me it’s the message of Christmas that’s important. Goodwill to all (men and women) and peace on earth. With the increasing amount of bad news we see daily in the media, Goodwill and Peace are a welcome change. Community initiative such as Christmas dinner in the local town hall, and feeding the homeless in London’s railway stations are great examples of what can be achieved.
Then there’s watching Christmas movies. This reminds me so much of my childhood. I remember waking up at 6 am to find a stocking full of presents at the end of the bed, and being part a large family finding the Christmas tree in the living room engulfed by presents. Christmas lunches were a time where the house was bursting with people – siblings, parents, aunties, uncles and grandparents, and the dinner table was bursting with food.
Hopefully, we’re making Christmas as magical for our kids as it was for us.
After today, I’m planning some winter wonderland wild camps to try out the bushcraft presents Mrs. Doric Diversions got for me. So roll on the snow. I might even try a Hogmanay micoradventure.
I’m going to leave you with a simple yet powerful thought. We make so much effort at Christmas to show goodwill to each other, to be kind, and to put aside our differences. Imagine what a better place the world would be if we made the same effort every day of the year.
Happy festive microadventures.
Am recovering from lung surgery – had a lower lobe lopped – and looked up about cycling. Found your blog. Thanks for the inspiration. Hope this finds you chipper, and enjoying March. Best wishes to you.
Hi Rachel, Thanks for the positive feedback, I’m glad you found it helpful. There’s not a lot of info on cycling after lung surgery and that was one of the reasons I started it. Recovery can be full of ups and downs, keep on plugging away. All the best on your path to recovery. Best wishes, Dave.