For the first time since autumn...

This morning at 8:24, as the rolling hills gave away to the Tyne valley and my North-bound train crossed the River Tyne into Newcastle on the King Edward Bridge, the rising sun was just high enough to clear the bank on the south Gateshead side, illuminating the stone buildings of Newcastle in the most magical way, especially with a dark blue stormy sky as backdrop. The light didn't make it down to the lower parts of the city, but I know now that that will come soon enough.

I suppose one nice thing about the incredibly short, sun-starved winter days here is the joy that comes with the noticeable change to longer ones. It's uplifting to the heart on typically-dark morning commutes...