Unexpected

After a winter of darkness, gales, rain and dank grey skies the past few days have hit the heights of perfect Spring weather - sunshine, blue skies, balmy breezes and bright patches of open crocuses. Feeling heat sinking into skin and through  hair to scalp uncurls something inside that unknowingly has been clenched tightly against the privation of the loss of light and warmth all winter. Walking over Parton beach watching the sun go down this evening, people did not grimace to each other in sympathy from under wooly hats, they smiled - big wide incredulous smiles with nods of goodwill. 'Good evening!' 'Wonderful day!' 'Hello!' 'Allright?' Not a beanie, a mitten or a scarf to be seen.

It would have been good to have had all day outside to appreciate it but this was weekend two of the Day Skipper's course. Having missed yesterday's tuition with clashing First Aid training and struggled all week to get information into my head I had very little hope of passing the first part of the exams in the afternoon. It was not a good omen either when I managed to spill my full cup of coffee in a brown wave all over two other people's sea-charts in the morning.(Although they were very gracious about it) 
The exam was as described by the tutor but there were so many places  where I knew I had holes in my knowledge and understanding of the subject that at the end I felt very dejected. The sunset and sea and smiles did put things in perspective but I awaited the pass/fail result with fortitude rather than hope. 
And then came the ping of the text. I read it and then had to read it again and then had to sit down because I felt quite faint. I had passed with 92%, and the highest mark. It was so unexpected I nearly texted back, 'Are you sure?' It's taken quite a while to feel celebratory rather than undeserving. 
Better make the most of it though - next weekend is the biggie test - Navigation - and that I cannot get my head round!