I realised, having checked my pedometer (817 steps – not good), that I failed to leave the house at all yesterday, other than to put out the food waste bin. I know it is lockdown 3.0, so I am not meant to be gadding about all over, however I usually manage a daily stomp in the woods or spin round the valley on my bike, but Storm Christoph’s vile weather meant I decided against venturing out. It was a bad idea, a day indoors largely sat down and staring at a screen meant I had sore shoulders, a stiff neck and very tired eyes. To add insult to injury I then couldn’t get to sleep, so today despite somewhat blustery conditions, I was determined to go for a lunchtime pedal.

Being above average height and of stout and middle-aged proportions, all my exercise kit is a varying shade of black, grey or navy, so as not to draw too much attention to myself when jumping about. Also a bright red face goes better with all of those shades, than any of the more vibrant colours. However this is apparently a bad idea when riding a bike on a public highway, where you need to be wearing as many dayglo or fluorescent layers as possible to avoid being mown down by careless drivers. After a solid telling-off from a friend (thanks Mel), I have acquired a orange cycling top, bright enough that when wearing it I can be seen from the moon, let alone 200 yards. The trouble is that it is a slightly snug fit (early lockdown pounds stubbornly refusing to budge) so that all I can think of as I head off down the valley is a Terry’s Chocolate Orange.

As I have already mentioned it was a very blustery day and so I came back feeling very pleased with myself and my reward was to spot the snowdrops in our courtyard that have flowered while I wasn’t looking. They are such delicate little things, it always astounds me that they are the first flowers to poke their heads out. On closer inspection the daffs are on their way too, a reminder that this too will pass and spring is on the way.