Hope.

Yesterday I was awakened at ten minutes to eight by a bright, circular disk of light shining through the bedroom window blind.  I was puzzled - a street lamp? No, too high.  A light from a window across the road?  No, too definite in shape.  I got out of bed and peeped through the blind slats - the moon!  A full moon!!  And dawn was beginning to break.

The bright light continued throughout the day with the moon being replaced by the sun, shining from a bright blue sky.

I spent the morning at the hospital with my daughter for a check-up by her specialist.  He could see signs of improvement and felt things were going in the right direction. Albeit slowly - but encouraging just the same.

Back at home for lunch, a rest while the washing machine did its work, then a cup of tea and the decision to try and catch some of this bonus day of winter.

In the car we headed for Port Plaisance at Stenay, enjoyed a short stroll then found a bench by the River Meuse opposite the sun and its shining warmth.

A nearby angler tried his luck in several places, but without catching anything...but ever hopeful.

Ducks nagged me for forgetting to bring bread - but not as much as I nagged myself. It must be sod’s law that, whenever I bring bread, there is not a duck in sight.  If I forget, there are aplenty!

Behind us, the sun’s rays lit up a tree, glowing golden behind a mellow stone wall.

As the sun started to sink, we made our way home.

 A lovely day, full of the golden glow of hope.