A Day in the Sun

It was a perfect day to take the bus to Peebles to meet up with my Kelso friends. The sun was low in the sky,  shining in full glory slanting off the fields and making the dew sparkle. There was some haziness towards the hills and now and again steam would rise from the fields by the roadside as the frost was warmed by the sun.

 Peebles itself was its usual bustling self and although the sun was shining fit to burst there was definitely a chill in the air when I arrived. The pavements were damp with the kind of winter dampness that never quite dries despite the sun.

I had a coffee and then wandered hither and thither along the little river that runs behind the high street , and then along the Tweed where I took the blip of the reflections in the water. I bought a brush and dust pan from the ironmonger in the High Street and looked round Rogerson’s shoe shop before it was time to go to Coltman’s Café for lunch with my friends. I’ve known them for 60 years since we lived in Hamilton as newly weds.They have moved about a bit since then and we lost touch for many years  but we found each other again fairly recently and took up where we left off. We really enjoy each other’s company.

Lunch and chat over, it was time for the return journey on a busy bus. I managed a little diversion after I got off to deliver a birthday card to the letter box  of daughter#2, who is in Belfast for work at the moment but due home  tomorrow. I’m not sure if the National Anthem is still played for her and the King on this particular date in the calendar.

The sun has set as I write but the sky is a patchwork of delicate pinks and pale blues. Somebody said that we had waited all summer for a High Pressure  and we get it now in winter!