Finding clarity in the seasons: why early morning walks reveal the power of change

A quiet walk at dawn reminds us that every season brings new perspective

When I'm home during the week, I walk the dog for the first time at 05:30.

During the summer, a chance to experience the freshness of the morning, the quiet of the river, as the new days begins.

Not many weeks ago, a litter of fox cubs were playing/practicing in a neighbour's front garden.

They all scattered at our approach, bar one, who took a commanding position on the gravel path that winds around our development, and barked at us as if offended that we were invading their world, before scurrying off into the woods.

This morning, total darkness and a damp fog that thickened as I descended towards the river, the moisture in the air sailing past the beam of my head torch like microscopic snow.

Quite spooky actually. The silence, the shadows cast by the trees.

Seasons - I love seasons. The variety, the surprises, the sense of being at one with nature for a few minutes at the start of each day.