Monday 5 March 2012

This post is brought to you by the number 2


I went for a walk on Friday which was two days ago, down the track and along the river to Claythorpe, by the little cottage in the field and onto the road and back to Belleau, a journey of roughly two miles.

Whilst enjoying this evening constitutional I thought to myself what a difference two weeks make. It was only a fortnight or so ago when winter had finally whispered its first quilt of snow, leaving the land freshly laundered, its lumps and bumps softened and smoothed, ready for the child in me to snuggle down into it and mess it up.



Belleau is always beautiful in the snow, but when the blizzards finally blew themselves out and the freeze took hold, throwing glitter over everything, it was breathtaking.

Moles had been taking advantage of the mellow winter up to this point to cover the meadow opposite in what looked like some sort of brown acne. These surprisingly large mounds now looked like sparkling iced buns, the barbwire fences that offend me a little, hung with crystal hair and the trees held delicate blades of snow on every branch. 



As beautiful and chilly as the days were, minus 2 and falling, the nights were crisp and frozen, skies so clear and cold even the stars seemed to shiver. A full moon so big and bright it sent frosty blue shadows running for warmth.

This winter weather had surprised me and everything else for that matter, as all the tell tale signs were that Spring was already with us; the daffodils weren't in flower but they were already in formation ready for their seasonal assault, the snowdrops had massed and the Lupins in my garden had sent out a scout party. Birds were everywhere, sheep were in the field and scarves were already optional.

Anyway, after what seemed like a seasonal false start, we were back on track and I'm back to my two mile walk. It was late afternoon/early evening, the time when the animals are usually changing shift, but everything seemed to be taking advantage of the lighter nights and hanging around. Spring was springing and romance seemed to be in the air. 

In the space of these two miles I saw two Kestrels sitting side-by-side on a telephone wire staring at the horizon as if waiting to view the sunset, two swans on the river looking like 18th century dancers as they circled each other in the current and two barn owls that floated bashfully close to each other before landing on two fence posts to share furtive glances.

Well here we are two days later and what started as a wet miserable day has now turned into a cold snowy one. So as I watch the flurries of snow whirling about my window, I feel the visit to the garden centre was a bit premature and thoughts of mowing the lawn today more than a little optimistic. 

Lets hope this isn't Spring's false start number 2.  

11 comments:

  1. You have snow-again!

    Love those two photos-very atmospheric...
    And I giggled at your delightful description of the mole hills covered in snow as ‘sparkling iced buns’. Wonderful-a joy to read your post as always!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankfully the snow didn't stay, love it but really ready to get back in the garden now. Many thanks for the lovely comments

      Delete
  2. Hi Andy, Your walk sounds wonderful - only one gripe, you didn't call in for a cup of tea! I share your views on barbed wire, horrible stuff. I know we have returned to snow and cold weather, but Spring is around the corner and I really look forward to seeing what happens in your beautiful garden.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you, I'll take you up on the tea next time

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a lovely post. I really admire your descriptive writing. Writing for me is so difficult and I find myself being a tad envious of your beautiful writing style.
    We had our first snow storm of the winter last Thursday which is very unusual for New England. Today is is freezing and towards the end of the week we are expecting temperatures in the high 60's. It has been the oddest winter. Have a wonderful week and enjoy those sunset walks. Give Holly a nice scratch behind her ears for me. I know my Bella loves that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you what a lovely complement, but I do think your selling yourself short I thinking your writing is great.
    What is up with the weather, I wonder if it's going to be as mixed up as last year. They are already warning of droughts in the UK, which is a bit of a worry.
    Holly indeed loves a scratch behind the ears and it's funny but I find myself doing the same thing to other peoples dogs too.
    Have a great week

    ReplyDelete
  6. i agree, I'm envious of your beautiful writing style. writing for me doesn't just flow, often times I find myself having to pause and rack my brains for the right word to use and sometimes it still doesn't turn out right.

    Winter is my least favourite season. I have been convincing myself it's spring since, what, february? haha. That's the thing with weather in the uk, it's so changeable. I find that annoying, yet I find a sort of charm in that, well at least it gives us all something to get together and whine about.. Anyway, very surprised to see snow, Ithink it's much much milder here in london. But I'm staying positive, SPRING IS HERE. If there's rhubarb, it means it's no longer winter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you I'm really flattered that you like my writing style

    We do love a good moan about the weather don't we.
    I agree with you though, Spring is most definitely here and it's my favourite season so i'm ecstatic. I love the fact that you say 'if there's rhubarb it's no longer winter' I'm going to use that one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha some would say asparagus, but that's too late in the season for me. I want spring early.

      Delete
  8. Beautiful photos and beautifully written.......

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great bllog I enjoyed reading

    ReplyDelete