A stroll on the Silecroft Beach in (temporary) spring

We had a lovely day yesterday. We took the train to Silecroft, a small village in Western Cumbria, and walked on the beach there. 

(Featured image: Silecroft Beach, Cumbria, February 2025)

The weather was spectacular. Even though it is almost unheard of for a Norwegian to remove his coat in February, I had to do so yesterday. The temperature in the shade must have been around 12 degrees, and the sun warmed quite pleasantly.

Today, the weather is rather crap again, with gusty winds and heavy rain. But yesterday was a mood booster and a signal that spring is coming.

The importance of noticing the lovely moments

Perhaps there’s something to learn from this: to notice, remember, and be grateful for all the lovely moments. And maybe age makes us better equipped to look for them.

I recall that during my twenties, I frequently came to my senses in June, astonished to discover that the snow had vanished and the leaves had returned to the trees. I had entirely missed spring.

If I missed out on the turn of the seasons, how many more minor yet still lovely things must have passed me by unappreciated? We really cannot afford that, can we? In a world that presents abundant challenges to every human, we need all the niceties we can collect—even the bright yellow face of this year’s first dandelion.