Edith

This is the third year in a row we've had to endure a miserable New Year's day. Last year saw some moments of respite and a few bursts of sunshine, but two years ago saw the same as today, a day of unmitigated vileness where it has rained pretty much all day long. Yet, a brief trip into town, which but for the need to blip I doubt I'd have made, rewarded me by meeting Edith here. There were very few people about but I spotted this lady, with her distinctive red umbrella, pop into the newsagents for a paper. I thought she'd make for a good shot so I loitered around outside for her to reappear.

She was actually a bit too quick for me to get the picture I wanted but as she walked away I caught her up and started a conversation. As you do. We had a lively discussion about umbrellas and the weather, which soon went off at all sorts of tangents. She was as sharp as a pin and had some lovely stories to tell, of her time in the forces and then as a social worker. When I told her I was impressed to see her out in this weather she told me how important it was to get out every day, but also, even more importantly, she needed her paper and some booze. After seeing in the new year she had run out!

She said that she was bred to be tough, unlike young people these days. At boarding school the window of the dorm had always to be kept open. It was fine to have snow drifting on to your bed, but you were not allowed to close the windows! She said that her best friend from her schooldays is still her best friend and has just celebrated her 96th birthday. Edith is a very sprightly 95! She attributes her robust health to having ridden horses all her life, from a very young age indeed. I didn't quite catch when she stopped but it wasn't that long ago. She also said that she keeps her mind active, reading the paper every day and also a lot of history.

She was such a colourful and engaging personality that I had to post this portrait in colour. She was a little reluctant to be photographed at first but after we chatted for a while I managed to persuade her. Not that it was easy in the wind and rain! I'm so glad I persevered.

So much to do at work and at home but I've been struggling to get anything achieved. Not good to start the year feeling so overwhelmed.