I was glad to get home last night to familiar food, my own bed, and a nice cup of tea.
I voted to stay in, as did many people I know, although not all. My personal disgruntlement with the political system lies largely with the leaders of this country, not with the European Union (although as an institution that is by no means perfect either). For me, therefore, voting to leave would have signalled my desire to put even more power into the hands of people I do not trust one tiny bit. I'm glad we have cross-nation rules about things like workers' rights and protections for the environment. Right now I don't trust those in charge of this country to keep to similar standards if they have the chance to lower them.
So yes, I'm a little sad that yesterday 52% of voters opted to leave. I hope it's because they can see, and are willing to work for, a viable, positive alternative. In the popular media, the argument for leaving doesn't seem to have extended beyond 'we want our country back' - with little idea of what we'll do once we've got it (or who, indeed, 'we' are, because those heading the leave campaign are every bit as much part of the political and financial elite as those heading the remain campaign).
The whole thing has created disharmony in the country, and I don't like it. I didn't like the vitriol from some in the leave camp around immigrants being to blame for all the country's problems, and I don't like the way some on the remain side are branding everyone who voted leave as a bigot. We're all as complicated as each other, and we all had our reasons for voting as we did.
So there is so much uncertainty about what happens now, and my head hurts with trying to see a way forward that isn't based on divisiveness and blame.
When I got back last night we walked to the local park, and took these pictures. I like it here. It's high on the hill, and gives a sense of perspective. The sun still rose this morning. My family and friends are mostly well. My house is still standing (hooray!) although it could do with a good clean. My garden is lush and growing. Nobody is stopping me from writing whatever I like here on my blog (although after this post I will be back to my usual cheerful ramblings with no politics or gloominess, I promise).
Today my sister arrives at teatime. The sun has just come out, and there is a sparrow preening itself in the garden. The gooseberries are ripening, which has reminded me to rescue the last of last year's gooseberries (and two boxes of redcurrants) from the freezer to turn into jam. I have a new (to me) compost bin to replace my rickety old home-made one. The garden is growing (and growing) and there is a car full of stuff to go to the tip. It's going to be a busy day, and I'd best get on.
Just as soon as I've had one more cup of tea.