Wednesday 6 January 2010

Winter Peace


For nearly three weeks now winter has held a tight grip on the Moorlands. There was just one day when the ground wasn't white but it most definitely is again. I love the snow. Its a total nuisance but there's nothing like the magic, beauty, fun and peacefulness that the snow brings. I was small in the late 70s and early 80s and have brilliant memories (and lots of photos so honestly I didn't imagine it) of waist deep snow, three foot long icicles, drifts up to the windows, building igloos and cresta runs and sledging to school.

Really I should be a lot more organised for it but apart from putting a spade in the boot and wearing an thermal vest (oh the glamour!) I'm a bit hopeless. The locks on my car actually froze while I was driving to work on Monday can you believe. But I've been at home since then. We've had a foot of snow and the village school is shut so I'm at home with my boys and working in the evenings.

So you can imagine its lots of fun (snowballing, snowman making and sledging) but not all that peaceful. But on Sunday morning I got a pass out and before breakfast I went for a walk - ALL ON MY OWN! I cannot remember the last time I walked on my own, (well unless you count shopping or walking to the office from the car park). We like to get out and about as a family a lot which I love but this was such a special treat. No arguing over which wellies are being worn, whether a hat has to be put on, endless hunts for gloves etc, etc.... I just went.

And it was beautiful. Fancy coming? Bitterly cold but absolutley still. Grab the woolies and we're off.

At the end of our road, this is the view you see towards a snowbound Bridge Cliff Farm and the neighbouring farm beyond. If you look closely you can just see the dairy herd in their winter yard.

Down the lane a bit, we pass the old railway workers cottages and cross over the little canal bridge where the barges are frozen into the water.

We've turned off the road now and walk along towpath a while and the river Churnet comes along with us on the left, the canal on the right. The light's amazing, so bright and crisp that the camera can't cope with it, and all the shadows are a curious shade of blue.

 Everything is frozen solid, ice droplets on skeletons of hogweed.

A little further on we follow the riverside path and walk across the water meadows that act as a flood plain between the river and the canal. There are a few people about, walkers like me, but there's hardly a sound. Occassionally I disturb a pheasant that flies up in a clattering panic. There is time to think today before gearing up for the world of work and routines that comes tomorrow. For today though I'm revelling in stillness, peace and calm in this wintery world.

The ponds and watery lagoons that are home to wintering geese, gulls and other waterfowl have frozen into skating rinks. I feel sorry for my feathered friends and wonder where they will find food and fresh water on these icy days. The day is waking up and I remember the birds who visit our garden and decide its time to head home and give them breakfast.

There's even more snow now and we're at home again today for more sledging and snowballing and plenty of hot chocolate to keep us cosy. These are special days, times to treasure. Peace and quiet.

33 comments:

driftwood said...

enjoy your snow day, we've got another too, more sledging and baking today xxx

Hen said...

Hi Steph,
It looks beautiful up in the Moorlands. I bet the boys are loving having you to themselves. We've finally had some snow overnight but not a huge amount. Everything will probably grind to a halt regardless! Harry will no doubt be out in it later as he isn't back to school until next week. Oh hurry up Tuesday!
Hen x

Leisa said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful snowy world with us. I enjoyed my visit! Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Claire said...

Oh Steph, what a lovely walk and the photos were superb. I am sitting her in the study typing away with the fan on and dreading the weekend ahead which will be a ghastly 41deg. It's hard to imagine all that snow and more on the way by the sound of it.Hope you are all warm and well and it doesn't cause to much chaos, but it really is spectacularly beautiful.
Best wishes to you all for 2010,
from a warm "Downunder"

Willow said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely walk with us! Yes, the scenery is so pretty and you're right about the light - it takes on a whole new tone in the snow. Enjoy your days at home with your children!

Willow x

Lyn said...

Oh it is lovely to walk in as long as you don't have to be somewhere of course. Happy days like that leave memories to last for ever.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Bertie Meadows said...

Hello Steph, such a lovely walk, and I know exactly what you mean about the luxury of being on your own. Snow really is quite magical isn't it.

bellaboo said...

A lovely winter wonderland post!
We've had a very heavy snowfall overnight.Mr Boo has walked to work,no way he can get the car out.
Luckily it's only about 40mins away.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
We'll always remember the Winter of 2010 won't we!

Bellaboo

Pink Feather Paradise said...

Lucky you... we had our first snow here in Somerset last night and it is snowing right now... its such a rarity here it usually passes us by... I do so love the snow and Mr P has my 4x4 so I am home with Danny and Jamie (her school is closed) and I am cosying down for a day of crochet and tea.... but now that you have mentioned hot chocolate I think that might be more favourable!

beautiful photos and thank you for sharing your stroll in the snow...

x Alex

Oast Farm said...

Beautiful photographs, its coming down here this morning again so you just have to accept defeat and get the recipe books out don't you??
x

Goosey said...

I'm very envious....we have had no snow as yet, last night the forecast said we would have 12 inches, the schools announced they were not opening....opened the cutains this morning...not a flake!

Rubyred said...

Thankyou for the beautiful snowy walk!
Now when we get back can I have marshmellows on my hot chocolate pleeeese!
We have about a foot of snow here in Oxfordshire! Schools out and Hubbys got to work from home! Yippee!
Rachel x

Knittings Nice! said...

Wonderful post, beautiful photos, we have wipeout down here on the south coast, hubby walked to work, looked like a michelin man. I'm hoping to get out and about later with the camera.

The Curious Cat said...

Looks like a lovely walk...it must have been nice to get out on your own and to turn your thoughts over and enjoy the silence and beauty of the snow. xxx

Helsie said...

Oh I wish I was there!
Helen

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Beautiful snow and lovely photographs. We have about one and a half feet of snow and it's so pretty on along the canals both at the back and front of our house.
Neither myself or my husband have been able to get into work though because the hill to our house is so dangerous!

Squam Hill Design said...

thank you for your lovely post...so nice to go your walk with you :) what a nice reminder for me...to treasure the special "time out of times" whaen they happen .

xo Jennifer

Tilly Rose said...

hi ya. with three boys under the age of 5 I completly understand what this little bit of peace and quite have done for u, needed more reguarly.....lovely photos.....xx

Sue said...

What a beautiful part of the country you live in,I enjoyed the walk,hope you enjoy the rest of this snow time with your boys.


Sue

periwinkle said...

a lovely walk and gorgeous pics - thank you for the book recommendation I've ordered it :-)

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hiya Step,

stunnning pictures and 'yay' for being a 70's baby - those were the days. Proper snow and proper Winters.

It's been snowing here now for about an hour and it's coming down thick and fast, but nothing like the pictures you have taken which are absolutely breath taking.

take care and wrap up warm,

Nina xxxxx

harmony and rosie said...

Thanks for the lovely walk - the views are gorgeous and the light wonderful. We have had constant snowfall here in the Smoke so heavy grey skies. Beautiful all the same.

Kate

Mary Poppins said...

Two of my most favourite words, peace and quiet, shhhhhhhhh
Happy new year

X

Dawn said...

What beautiful pictures.
I love to walk in the snow, too. (Not so keen on driving in it!)

Emma Herian said...

That must have been so lovely Steph, all alone, peace and beauty! We love the snow here, I remember in the 70's and early 80's how much snow we had, building igloos! It had to be done again seeing as we had so much too!

mollycupcakes said...

Keep warm and safe lovely lady.
Hugs,

Catherine x

GardenOfDaisies said...

I Love the pictures you post. It allows me to "visit" that part of the world without leaving my house. :-) I have an uncle who came from Derbyshire, which I think is fairly close to where you are.

Jen said...

Over the last few days I've been having very dark thoughts about this snow. It's stopped me from working, shopping, leaving the house, it's made me bump my car and fall on my behind... but somehow you've made me fall in love with the magic of snow once again. So thank you. :)

Pomona said...

Glad you got the chance for a little peace and quiet! It all looks very beautiful.

Pomona x

Pipany said...

I missed your post somehow Steph. beautiful pictures. It's melting here now but the roads are treacherous so an odd in between time. Hope you are still having fun xx

Sarah said...

what a lovely blog you have and I really enjoyed the photos in this post too :-) the shadow one is awesome!

Shirley said...

Hi Steph,
What a delight to stumble across your blog. I used to live in the vicinity and seeing your photo's is making me a tad homesick. My husband was born and bred there and my sister in law lives there too. We now live in Taunton.
Will keep checking in from time to time. My blog is stitcherydo.
Shirley

mollycupcakes said...

I've left you a sunny award over on my blog lovely lady.

Hugs,

Catherine x