Bicycling

We had a frost overnight, and this morning when I popped out for milk the grass was sparkling in the sunshine. 

I spent a lot of time faffing about in the house, but eventually in the afternoon I managed to get outside. 

I love this route. Down the hill, then up through the woods, up and up and up, round the top, and then back down the hill again. There wasn't much light in the woods. 

Eventually I emerged at the top of the hill (with much huffing and puffing, I might add). It was cold, and the sky was turning pink. 

It wasn't quite as dark as these pictures make it look, and I did stop for a quick hot chocolate (laced with mixed spice and almond extract - my new favourite thing). Then it was time to whizz back down the hill, grateful for my windproof jacket and thermal gloves, and wishing I had slightly less worn brake pads (I ordered new ones the minute I got home). 

I've enjoyed these last couple of days of exercise and fresh air. We're visiting family again tomorrow so it'll likely be a day of indulgence and sitting around, but I've reawakened my enthusiasm for being outside so I hope there'll be much more of this in the new year.