Inpursuitof

I bloody love winter.

I know that’s not a popular viewpoint, but it’s an amazing time of year. I’ll admit I’m mostly in love with pre-Christmas winter, the loathers can have February and March, but it’s an undeniable attraction. I await her arrival anxiously as the leaves turn, little flutters of excitement coming upon me at unexpected moments. The first night after the clocks go back is one of the best of the entire year. When you emerged from work that day, I hope you stopped and noticed.

There is a brilliant quiet that only comes from darkness, a loaded, waiting silence on winter evenings. The anticipation of festivity is almost tastable in the air. Halloween costumes on the streets, fireworks in the air and the Christmas lights. Oh the Christmas lights. Winter has the most incredible light, reinventing the city around you on the turn of a penny. If you can this winter, walk down Horseguard Lane about 6.30pm. Never have I felt happier to live here.

I even like being cold. A little bit of cold is good for the soul, frost slamming into your lungs will remind you you’re alive.

This is why I love winter. At least until the first cretin misses the hi-vis and the flashing lights and walks in front of my bike.

1) an engineer returning from their travels

2) £1.50 to a tramp

3) a family whose luggage I hurdled in the station