Winter Wonderland!

Living in England, particularly in the south as i do, snow is not too common. It usually snows a few times during the winter, settling probably only a couple of times and is almost always gone after a couple of days. This year we have had heavy snowfalls and frozen temperatures that have now been with us for almost two weeks. As usual the snow caused traffic chaos with many people, including myself, unable to get into work. The snow was so dense i couldn't even get out of my cul-de-sac.The authorities gritted the main roads which immediately got clogged up with traffic as nobody could use the side roads. Absolute gridlock!

The scene from my front door. Notice the uncollected refuse bins!

The upside to all the mayhem was stunning scenery along my usual walks and a welcome silence with fewer vehicles on the roads. It was also nice to see loads of children outside playing in the snow and listening to their laughter, when usually they are all indoors using the playstation or watching television.

Snow and blue sky along the canal towpath near to where i live.

Today the temperatures have gone above freezing and a big thaw has begun. There is slush on all the roads and huge puddles everywhere. No doubt there will be floods as a result bringing more mayhem to parts of the country. That's the trouble with our climate - one extreme to the other and difficult to predict.

The frozen canal. Notice the trees on the opposite bank weighted with snow drooping into the ice.

A slippery walk up to one of the locks.

 

A snowy treescape.

The Snow Car.

We were out for a walk in the snow last week (more photos and a separate blog to follow) when by chance I came across this really clever snow sculpture of a Mini in one of the streets near my home. Although it was beginning to thaw the amazing detail was still discernable. For some reason it made me smile and feel uplifted. I just had to take a photograph and share the moment with all of you.

Snow and more snow (or don't kids do the funniest things!)

Waking up to snow

Snowbound at home

Last Monday morning we woke up to a heavy snowfall which to the rest of Europe would have been regarded as a mere smattering, but bought havoc to the usually snow free South of England. No snow ploughs, no grit on the roads, absolute chaos. The authorities said that if your journey was not really necessary then do not travel and stay at home. The schools were closed so the children were at home so (very reluctantly of course!) i decided to take a day off work and stay at home too (who am i to go against the authority's wishes).

Anyway, snow always brings out the child in me, so within a few minutes me and the thirteen year old were outside throwing snowballs and taking photographs. Believe it or not this was the deepest snow that the thirteen year old had seen so for him it was quite an experience. For me it was wonderful just watching him enjoy himself so much.

Snow glorious snow!

After a while i began to feel the cold and went indoors for a hot drink and some warmth and was replaced by my wife and daughter who set about building a snowman (as you do) on the front lawn. I have to admit that they made a pretty good job of it.
The daughter and the snowman

The youngest son, who was still outside then declared that he wanted to strip off and run in the snow, presumedly to prove his manliness (is that a word?) or to perform some ancient rite that thirteen year olds have to do.
Stripped for action.

Later during the morning the snow stopped and the daughter's boyfriend arrived. Upon hearing of the youngest son's exploits they decided to get in on the act and take photographs of themselves so they could show their friends. Personally i think Facebook has a lot to answer for!
Cool dudes in the snow

Cooling off!