Changes of Season.

Spring has arrived - finally.  It was a long winter - or at least it felt longer than others, but now the mornings are getting lighter, the days are longer, and the gardens are green again.  

Birds are also back in abundance, and their song on the morning is lovely.

While we have seasons in Australia, they are more obvious here. Much more clearly defined, with the change of season being almost visible.

This is something I enjoy here, the seasons with their very different moods.  Of course summer is on its way, and within a couple of months it'll be getting light at 4am and staying that way until almost 10pm.  It can be hard to sleep well when it's like that, and there is always the danger I'll get up grumpy. But as we renovate the house, and update the bedroom, we'll be buying blackout curtains.

I do this for you. You wouldn't like me when I get grumpy.

Rock the Casbah.

Spring has finally arrived, much later than usual, and it feels great.  The sky is blue and clear, the air is fresh, and the garden is coming alive again.  We spent much of last weekend replanting, weeding and generally tidying up. Hard work, but well worth it when it's so enjoyable sitting out there.

We managed to get away for a few days at the end of the month. First time I'd been overseas on holiday for several years, and it was fabulous. I even enjoyed the flights. But how can you not love three full days of wandering around Marrakesh. 

Not out first time there.  We spent a few days there on our honeymoon, and fell in love with the city then. The smells, sounds and the sights. Once again we wandered through amazing gardens, enjoying the calm away from the hectic city outside, and sipping on cool mocktails in the heat of the day. The food was fabulous, whether from small cafes or proper restaurants. And the vibe of the Medina, walking the streets, surviving the souks, and getting lost in the tiny, winding lanes. I even rocked the Casbah. What a fabulous city.

I returned home almost reluctantly. Work here is busy, but the memory of Marrakesh continues to refresh.

There's An Optimistic Vibe In The Air.

Spring has arrived, later than last year for sure, but it's finally here and making up for lost time. The skies are blue, the flowers are blooming and the grass needs cutting once again.

OK, that last one I'm not so keen on, but at least the grass isn't as tough as the grass back in Australia. Nor does it need cutting on a fortnightly basis.

The change in weather seemed quite sudden, and because of that the longer days also seemed to appear without much warning. One morning I realised I was waking at 5am (or earlier) simply because it was light outside.

For a number of reasons, and I'm sure the arrival of Spring is part of it, I feel really quite optimistic at the moment. I got to work with a spring in my step, a song in my heart, and a bunch of other cliches. Someone even mentioned they'd noticed I was whistling at work last week. I hadn't noticed it myself, although I know I whistle. Fortunately they told me they quite liked hearing it. I have, of course, become quite self-conscious in the office now and have stopped myself a couple of times as I was about to launch into song.

The writing continues, slowly, but this beast is being lashed into shape. I like where it's heading. I hope you will too.

Beginning Again Again.

Spring is finally here. Not only officially, but the weather seems to have shifted accordingly. There are blossoms out, and I was swooped by a magpie this morning.

The past few months have been busy at work and I've not written anywhere near enough. It is time to stop making excuses and get back into my morning writing routine. This program was quite successful for me earlier this year, and so from Monday morning I plan to get up early everyday and get some writing done before heading off to school.

I'm in the middle of a couple of major re-writes, and have a new story started. And, of course, many pages of notes on story ideas that only need time to become reality.

I have the desire, the hunger and the capability.  Plus there is a steak dinner at stake here.

Time to write.