It all feels a bit unreal.
As if I’m in some sort of fuggy dream. As if I’m not really there.
The change seems overnight although, in reality, it’s over a weekend.
And now, for me, it’s a race to the other end; a race to the light – almost literally.
I had promised to take the dogs out this morning as it was probably going to be raining and would probably keep right on raining until later in the morning. Which it has.
Although, when we were out, it didn’t seem too bad; not the heavy rain predicted, more of a lighter rain – the one just after or just before the heavy rain. It was dark, of course, but, then. it had been dark at this time for a few weeks.
As we approach the second traffic lights, they change from flashing amber to the normal red/green. I thought I must be late but, instead, it’s the lights’ change that’s early – by about 5 minutes.
The dogs (even Piero) keep as close to the buildings as possible.
I don’t let them into the dog area. They are wet already and there’s no need to get them really dirty as the puddles testify that the area will be just mud. Anyway, there are no other dogs in there (and probably won’t be, at least this morning), so Piero isn’t missing any play time. But, then, there aren’t usually any dogs in here at this time.
It’s raining, slightly, but not really ‘cold’ as such. About 13 degrees.
We walk back home. We, all three of us, want to get back.
As we wait for the lift, Dino is trying to dry himself on the walls. He looks forward to the towelling he has when he gets wet.
We get in the flat and I get the towels, Dino not taking his eyes off me, knowing what’s coming. Obviously, I do him first, dropping the towel on his head and starting to rub him down vigorously. He throws himself into this ritual and I think he would like it if I didn’t stop – but the other one has to be done.
The other one, on the other hand, does not really like it and tries to escape. But he’s still small enough to be able to keep in check without too much effort and he gets ‘done’ anyway.
I get ready and have coffee and leave to go to work.
It’s still raining – in much the same way – not too hard.
The car is close and, since it’s service, starts first time, which is great.
But it’s the drive to work that’s different. It’s still dark. It’s miserable. And different to Friday morning when it was light.
Of course, it’s made darker by the rain clouds.
But, as I drive, I don’t feel altogether “there” and it’s unnerving.
The traffic is, for the most part, quite light. Soon it won’t be like this.
It starts to get light on my way but I see the 50-shades-of-grey clouds, patchy and bleak, in the sky.
The race is on to February or March when it will (hopefully) get warmer and brighter.
On the plus side, F noticed that the heating was on last night (at home, obviously. At work the place is close to fridge conditions – especially as these fucking crazy Italians feel the need to change the air – or let the bloody cold in, as I like to say) and I am VERY happy about that.
