I glanced up just in time to see this most beautiful sight - and which my phone camera utterly failed to capture adequately... pinky-golden clouds behind the dark skeletal forms of deciduous trees: a new dawn, a new day, we have passed the solstice and the city looks good! (Can you spot the plagiarism there?)

Advent-wise we aren't quite there yet.  However, apart from shop workers, public transport workers, restaurant staff, emergency services, carer-workers, medical professionals, power suppliers, and clergy-types almost everyone I know is now on holiday - with a nice long 'shut down' because of how the bank holidays land.

So this photo is for those who today are starting their break - may it be a time of real rest, relaxation and refreshment.  As the days begin to lengthen, however slowly, may hope be renewed, joy be abundant, peace fill your hearts and love surround you.

Happy holidays (as our US friends would express it) to all readers... working or not!