Sunday 10 December 2017

Seasonal Weather Unwelcome

We awoke this morning to an all-over whiteness everywhere, snow lay like a lovely, smooth velvet, that draped itself over our rural scene. 

Mrs H fed the birds who hopped here there and everywhere so the white mantle became pock-marked by their little feet or claws,alas !

We took photos, mine from indoors with the window wide open and then quickly closed again, as I enjoy fresh air but at a temperature that is above freezing. Mrs H, not hardier, just younger and more full of vigour, braved the outdoors. 


Well, we hope that you enjoy our photos.





















Below is the worst winter that I have ever experienced, the Winter of 1963 when I was a youth working in the Teignmouth shipyard [Devon, England]; when the sea froze and there were large snowdrifts on the beach that the tide took simply ages to melt away and on Dartmoor fires were lit under lorries to thaw out the diesel which had waxed up.





35 comments:

  1. I remember the winter of 63 too, but as I was only 10 at the time I thought it rather wonderful. I don't think I'd enjoy it so much today though.

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    1. Oh it was quite enjoyable for a fit young man of twenty and I used to enjoy my walks along the beach during the lunch hour, regardless of the climate. Like you say today it would not be much fun, even though our clothing is so much better. Thank you for the comment.

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  2. Lovely photos. Got a dusting over here too. I don't remember '63..personally ;) But I think it could get a lot worse. Let's hope not, wouldn't like to be sleeping rough now.

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  3. So glad that you enjoyed our photo's Ita. 63' was the toughest winter that I have ever experienced, though to be exact 2010 came very close with a temp of -18C.
    My heart goes out to the street people who sleep on the streets. Which is why I encouraged people to donate to
    https://www.gofundme.com/bkgtdv-winter-is-coming

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  4. Not much snow here in the south west of England right now - just a flurry landing on rain-soaked fields. I love the varying weather throughout the year and hope you have the chance to get out and enjoy it too, even only for a moment or two. Lovely photos.

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    1. Thank you Bella !
      I actually did have few moments outside because I took the first photo dressed only in dressing gown and slippers. My bare legs were not a bit cold. I would have stayed longer but was spotted by Mrs H who ordered me indoors " IMMEDIATELY ! " she shouted as only bossy artists can do - you know don't you ? :-)

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  5. Lovely photographs of today. I remember '63 too. We had severe frosts here in the east and the sea froze and the Norfolk Broads froze and they drove cars over them. It was like a permafrost. It was difficult on the farm because we were milking a herd of Jerseys at the time and there was no water, even the mains froze. It went on and on and was a very difficult time. I recorded it all and can still see my diary entries in my head. I believe 1947 was just as bad or worse.

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    1. Hello Rachel thank you for your memory, now that you mention the cars driving over the frozen broads. Then yes I heard about that and at the time 'I thought about the Thames Fairs that were held in the 1600's'
      In 1947 I was four years of age - I recall my father climbing out of a downstairs window to dig a snowdrift from the front doors as the pair were frozen solid. Most people who did not have an ex Service mens Greatcoat to hand suffered the cold in silence... or wrapped The Times newspaper around themselves, which incidentally was often my mother's advice to people who were without. They would reply that they only read The Mirror and she would tell them that was their own fault then for reading rags.
      Ah' such were those hilarious days !

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  6. I remember the snow of 1963, memories of my grandad pulling my brother and me along on a sledge. Today the snow is unwelcome, my daughter's special night out has been cancelled.

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    1. What a lovely memory to have of your Grandfather and I expect he enjoyed himself too.
      I imagine that your daughter will remember this weather too with a very different emotion - such a shame for her.

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  7. Hi Mel - lovely to see the snow - though it's always unwelcome .. but pretty. I remember the 62/63 season rather well and have written quite extensively in 2013 on that time ... just hope we don't experience it again .. I might get it here at some stage! Glad Mrs H managed to get out and about a bit - it's always so pretty ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks for the comment Hilary. Yes, I thought that you would recall the winter of 63' and No I have not trawled back through your old posts, that is something that I rarely do.
      I understand from Jack L that Canada is so far free from snow and he is truly mystified and a bit disappointed too - I think...

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  8. Beautiful pics! We have had a fun filled day in our fairly deep snow in the uk midlands! Smallest heron has loved every second as the last decent snow fall he was only a few weeks old. Grandpa Heron made the snow filled journey to meet him for the first time!

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    1. Thanks Snappy glad you had a fun time today with Heron junior.
      You are quite correct that seven years ago almost to the day that I flew over to greet the new born chick. As I recall both of my flights in and out were delayed for several hours because of the snowy conditions.

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  9. So far the snow has missed us Heron. I remember 1963 - it was the year my son began
    infant school and we lived a mile away and for what seems like weeks looking back on it, we walked to school on the top of snow drifts.

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    1. Thank you very much for recalling your memories Pat. Traveling over snow drifts is a memorable experience isn't it? For you are always aware that you might find a soft patch and sink down. That's what went through my mind when riding my motorbike on a road that was several feet above the surface when every now and again the surface felt thin. Later, when the thaw came they found the abandoned cars that had dents in their roofs - I think that it might have been me driving over them !

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  10. I always enjoy other people's photos of snow, don't like snow around me

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    1. Do I assume from your comment that you never played in the snow making snowmen or making snowballs to throw at your friends then, Janet ?

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  11. Not sure how often Ireland get snow. But to me I would guess once every 25 years. I'm in the Northwest part of the United States we get snow every winter some more then others. But this year we had a few days of it and now nothing. That could change.
    Coffee is on

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    1. Good to hear from you Dora.
      The frequency of snow falls in Ireland is almost every year and generally it is only a dusting which is soon gone. What we do not receive is the great depths of snow that you are accustomed too. We do however often have a lot of frost and very cold rain and zero temperatures.

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  12. The birds and berries photo is my favorite. Never having had to live with snow, I can only say it looks lovely but I know it's a different story if you must deal with it every day.

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    1. Thank you for your appreciation Sara. Living in wintry conditions, even snowless at times can be rather tiresome and draining. The little birds have it the worst as they are continually hungry.

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  13. Beautiful scenes, Mel! We have snow here too! And I remember 62/63 as well. I was a child but it convinced me I did not like the cold and that has marked my entire life! :)

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    1. Many thanks for your comments Val. I don't mind the cold air too much as we have plenty of warm clothing and our home is quite snug. The snow looks quite attractive at first, when it is pristine and velvety. Then in comes the frost to transform it into ice and that makes travelling quite dangerous !

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  14. We received our first blanket on the 10th also.. bout 20 cm. not much compared to what some storms bring here. You two will have to come spend some time in a Canadian winter to toughen up. it makes for very pretty pictures tho.. Cheers

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    1. Thank you for the comments and invitation Gwen. Sorry, we will have to decline as we do not want to increase our carbon footprints !

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  15. Hi Mel, I remember the real bad weather in 1947/48. Ian leading the way down Pershore Road to Stirchley Scool. No schools were closed in those days, maybe the reason was that teachers & pupils lived in walking distance..Everything at a stand still here in Birmingham, airport was closed yesterday, opened last night. Loving your photography, keep warm both x

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    1. Thank you for your scholarly memories of 1947/8 winter.
      I am not sure who you are for you might be Seamus (James) or even Áine (Anne) perhaps next time put your name at the end please :-)

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  16. What a winter wonderland! Enjoy it while the snow lasts!

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    1. Yes, we do in our own humble way Debra. Alas, though a slow thaw has set and all will soon begone.

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  17. Beautiful photos. No snow in this part of Yorkshire but bitterly cold. 1963 snow brought it all back as a young teenager I had to walk through those snow drifts over the fields to feed my horse and donkey.

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    1. Thank you for the comment am glad to have revived your memory :)

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