Here comes summer!

If it would just get warm enough for me to go out wearing the one coat it would make life easier, but sitting on a mobility scooter or wheelchair can feel very cold, especially if there is a horrible wind blowing. I don't really enjoy it when my hair has blown around so much that I look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards!

Walking, or even dare I say, running, keeps you warm, but believe me when you are sitting still, wind whistling round your legs, you need more than just one outer garment to keep warm. I arrive where I am going on the days I feel able to venture out during the colder months, bundled up in a shawl underneath my coat, a scarf or snood round my neck, often a hat (though I do dislike wearing hats but sometimes needs must), knee length boots with wellie socks beneath (they're a brilliant invention, they're fleeces for the feet), and two pairs of gloves! Honestly I look like a yeti! Sometimes I can barely move my arms with all my layers on. Wrapping up in all my layers can make me feel really ill, and it takes me hours and hours to get warm when I do get thoroughly chilled.

I don't know whether it's my hypermobility syndrome, the long-term after affects of chemotherapy, or if it's just me, but my body seems unable to maintain its temperature, so I can go from freezing cold, sometimes lasting hours, to so hot I feel like passing out!

I would dearly love to go out wearing an elegant coat, looking glamorous, maybe with a big fur collar (artificial of course, I would never wear real fur) but it's just so cold sitting outdoors in the cold weather, two layers, or even three, are essential.

Oh for some lovely warm sunshine, the warmer weather makes such a difference. I might be able to venture outdoors without gloves and wearing, dare I say it, a cardigan, or even short sleeves if it becomes hot enough!

The warmth helps my arthritis too, a lovely hot shower, or bath (I would dearly love a bath but I can't actually get myself out of the bath these days). The warm water feels great, soothing the pains in my joints which plague my days, it doesn't actually make the pain go away, but makes coping with it just a little bit easier. Hot water bottles or wheat bags have a similar effect.

Sunshine makes people smile, and it certainly helps my mood. I find that when I'm out and about when it's sunny, people will pass the time of day more often with such remarks as: "Isn't it a lovely day," or "Nice to see some sun," rather than the usual head down and hurry on past when it's cold and miserable.

Winter means being trapped indoors for me, those bitter cold days when I cannot think of venturing out because the inactivity of sitting still on a mobility scooter would make my joints and even bones hurt so much that I can't move for days. Summer, sunshine and warmth, means freedom. Freedom to get out and bomb along the footpaths in the woods behind our house on my mobility scooter, singing at the top of my voice (if there's nobody around), and hearing the birds singing. Taking the dogs out and hearing the sheer joy as they bark for you to throw the ball.

Sunshine makes life feel better, for me at least. I hope it brings you joy too.

Come on sun, where are you?