We’re moving into deep winter now with what seems like constant rain. The bright ‘harvest’ and ‘beaver’ moons of the autumn are a distant memory as the heavy clouds fly by and the high winds whip the sea into an angry frenzy.

Everything is reduced to hues of grey, and the horizon is often obscured by rolling sea mists. The barometer is showing persistently low pressures these days.

But the winter equinox passed on the 22nd, so the days are starting to get longer, and there are already signs of life in the garden: daffodils. They’re very early but, despite the storms, it’s very mild thanks to the Gulf Stream. Rising in the Gulf of Mexico, it travels north bringing its welcome warm waters to us on the other side of the ocean. If that ever changes as a result of our own short-sightedness, we are in deep trouble.

Despite the greyness, the secret garden is still a place for quiet contemplation, listening to the sea, and watching for a shaft of sunlight now and then as the clouds part momentarily.

Life by the seaside is busy in December with carol singing and concerts to celebrate Christmas, and also to honour the fishermen and wish them safe sailing through the year. This year, our community sang its heart out down by the harbour fighting against the noise of the roaring sea. After half an hour, we were spent. But revived with mulled sweet red wine and mince pies, we mustered for the charitable collection and a final rendition of “Come All Ye Faithful” and “Noel.”

The stone river and terraces of the seaside garden, the agapanthuses and cannas, are pared back and now resting. There is little to do except finish the chocolates in the Advent calendar and play snakes and ladders. What a treat!

Finally, the year, and decade, will end shortly. In honour of my paternal Scottish ancestors, we will be celebrating in the usual way – lots of Tunnocks tea cakes and caramel bars, clementines and sweet white wine.

A toast: to the Gulf Stream, and long may it continue.

If you need a zen moment and want to see a little more, click on the picture below to catch up on December by the Seaside.