I’ve had to smile a few times recently when people have commented on my early starts during the working week. My alarm goes off at 4.45am. I bet some of you groaned. I suppose I have always been an early bird when it comes to work. I had a paper round growing up so I was out early for that. When I worked at the shop I was stopping off at my Nan’s to have a cuppa and check in with her before opening up. My alarm in those days was simply my dad stopping outside my bedroom door on his way out to work. A postman leaving to sort and deliver the mail.
Now don’t get me wrong I love a lie in. I could not do early starts everyday but when it is to go to work I prefer it. Why? Well I love the peace of being in the office before everyone else so I can have a cuppa without interruptions. Then I can get myself set up for the day without people distracting me. I think the best thing is the world you see at that time of day. The hour or two before the hustle and bustle of the rush hour, when the world is waking up.
The woman I see most mornings out for a walk. Maybe that is the only time she gets to herself. The man walking his dog who waves as he passes on the other side of the road. The guy from the supermarket who gets the same bus as me who is out on his feet from his night shift. Other people on the bus who are heading towards the train station to miss the packed later trains. Tradesmen on their way to the building sites that open before office hours. It’s quiet. People still not quite awake or just contemplating the day ahead.
The guy that smells like germolene, the woman who’s perfume makes my eyes itch or the lady that constantly looks like she has lost something who is forever searching in her hand bag. People I probably wouldn’t notice once it gets busier. At certain times of the year I get to enjoy the most beautiful sunrises. The fox that is out looking for its breakfast. The birds with their early chorus. And of course the joy of less traffic!
Once off the bus on my walk to the office its the postmen on their way to the sorting office with their coffee from the local cafe. Most smile, nod and say morning. The council workers litter picking and emptying the bins that wave and call out a cheery ‘morning darling.’ Eateries setting up the tables and chairs on the pavement outside, ready for the early customers. Market traders unloading their vans and setting up their stalls. There is bustle, not that of rush hour, but of a different kind.
Outside the pub the dray delivering the barrels that sound loud in the early morning hush. On the other side of the road the van delivering fresh fruit and veg to the market shop for their impressive daily display of goodies. Inside the cafe the owner waves if he sees me, he calls out if he is outside ‘how are you? Not seen you in a while.’ He is right I’ve not treated myself to lunch in there for quite a while.
The early world is not as still as you might think. I love it. It feels special in a way as not many people get to see it. Most probably won’t contemplate those early people out setting up the world but to me they are like little worker ants. Without them I wonder how the day would unfold. E x