This last week has felt pretty much endlessly rainy. I know this because (a) I’ve been in the car a lot and I’ve mostly been listening to Elbow, my go-to rainy driving band, and (b) I’ve been in the studio a lot and most of my writing sessions have been accompanied by the gentle judder and thud of of rain on roof and window. (There’s a saying in the north about the weather being ‘meant’, that is, full of purpose and intention, and the rain certainly has been meant this week.)

But. there was a day. A day when, back and neck snarled and aching, head full of the novel, I set off for a tramp around the fields. (For. Not with. That would have been, I imagine, a very different expedition.) It was beautiful: the world washed clean.

Later, Joy took Hope for a walk, and took this photo:

Blue sky. So welcome.

In case you’ve forgotten, or missed it, may I remind you of The Blue Sky Movement?

Happy Friday, whatever your weather is doing.