The start of February and we have a real winter for a change, with real snow - for some parts of the country, but not really where I live. We just have a dusting, and over the last 20 odd years we haven't had many years that I can remember making huge snowmen. When my girls were young we went out towards Buxton so that they could have a play in the snow. I had to stop the car at the first sight of it, and they hopped out and built a 6" high snowman each. But there are a few things that I love about the snow, that make up for all the cold and disruption.
I love the silence we have when the snowfall is really heavy - no cars around. That crunch of snow under your boots, even better when you're up on the hills. Clear blue skies above a white blanket - brilliant. But there is a downside - too much snow and the higher fells become restricted to all but a well equipped experienced few. The roads clog up, it can cover boggy holes, cover boulders and hide ankle snapping holes, then it turns to mush - ok for walking, but not so good on the pavements.
We can all wrap up well and enjoy it though. Last year I had a fantastic day on the Coniston Fells, walking through a winter wonderland. I got back from Norway last night, after being delayed for a bizarre reason. The rig I was on had orange helideck lights and helicopters had been landing there for years without a problem. But the powers that be decided that they were the wrong colour, so the helicopters wouldn't land after dark! Needless to say, the flight I was due to leave on was delayed and didn't fly out to us because it was dark - but every cloud and all that - I got some overtime, and managed to catch my flight home the next day....with 5 minutes to spare...phew.
Now for some walking - hopefully
1 comment:
You missed out sledging!
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