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Wednesday 6 January 2010

S'no joke!!

Last winter we went a whole year without a flake of snow in Brittany and I felt sure this year was going to be a cold one as well as snowy - deep down I just had this hunch that I should be more organised than usual with my end of season hedge cutting and tidying up - I've never had a year when I've seen such an enormous quantity of acorns from the trees as Autumn 2009! My deep down feeling was that surely this was natures way of providing for wildlife in the wake of a freezing cold winter. Along with acorns we have had such a bumper year for walnuts, hazelnuts, apples, plums, blackberries and all the currants too and so it was our turn in Brittany to recieve a good helping of snow...

Last night as the snow started to fall about 10.45pm, I felt like a child again in anticipation of what would be waiting behind the closed curtains this morning and I wasn't disappointed :-)

The sun was coming through as I pulled back the curtains but by the time I'd had some breakfast and was ready to take Lucy for her walk the snow was coming down thick and fast again - time to get togged up ... I love it!

An hour or two later the snow had cleared again leaving that wonderful winter wonderland scene that's just so magical - I know it won't last but to be enjoyed to full whilst it's there.... I wonder what tomorrow will bring as none of the forecasts are the same... time to go to bed and wait and see what the morning brings...































Later on in the afternoon I vetured down our lane to see that in both directions the road was totally snowed over - not many vehicles had ventured our way today! By the time I got back up to the house the sun had come through the clouds and the light looked really pretty against the snow....

Hope you're enjoying your own gardens in whatever weather you have where you are... Miranda x

ps - do give a thought for the birds in your gardens during this winter - feeding them once or twice is great but much better to continue on a regular basis with a wide variety of bird seed/peanuts/suet balls and blocks/ cooked rice and potato as some suggestions - also be aware that some birds don't feed off a table and prefer to feed off the ground - birds also need access to a water supply as well!

12 comments:

Layanee said...

How beautiful and pristine your landscape is with all that new snow. The birds are having fun at the feeders here. Must put up more.

Joe said...

Hi Miranda,

I loved this posting. Those photos are brilliant too, you have really captured the scene. So much of the UK looks like that now, and its just not melting! Brrr, keep warm and have a great week. :-)

Cheryl said...

Hi Maranda....beautifully photographs showing the lovely area that surrounds you...

We have had a lot of snow....it took my husband five hours to get home last night (usually takes 30 minutes)....I must say I am not keen on snow...we just don't cope in the UK. My mother missed her hospital appointment today, I just could not get there.

Ricky Luz said...

Hi Miranda, my first impression is that you like in a fairy place, so amazing atmosphere, I looked at your photos and I almost cant believe it! (I dont have such snowy times where I live, as I'm at the Melbourne level, more specifically Auckland, and to get to see the real deal we have to travel for alost 5 hours south. Growing veges for the first time has made me a different person, I am even photographing flowers now, and I am a computer guy, and never looked with curiosity to plants and gardens....well, I guess yes, I am having some of the best times of my life.
I am glad you payed me a visit! Nice to meet you and hopefully we can keep in touch!
Oh, by the way, I am posting images of micro flowers (the grass ones), you mind find interesting! check it out!
Big hug!

Gail said...

Oh Miranda, it's simply breath taking! How much fun to let the little child inside us feel that excitement~~Have a wonderful weekend, gail

Miranda Bell said...

Many thanks to you all for your kind comments -

Hi Layanee - I'm not sure you can ever put out enough food for the birds at this time of year especially out in the countryside - hope you're having a good weekend!

Thanks Joe - glad you liked the pictures - I must admit winter is one of my favorite times of year for photos - one of these days will invest in a better camera with a good zoom for better bird pics!

Dear Cheryl - sorry to hear that your Mum missed her appt - hopefully she'll be able to get there soon - much like in this area of France everything just comes to a standstill if you live in the countryside - they only salt the main roads and as we live a mile from the nearest village - right now it's pretty difficult to get out - I'd rather stay put whilst the roads are so icy - lucky I did a good shop the day before the snow arrived :-) Have a good weekend...

Hi Rick - lovely that you have so much enthusiasm and have really discovered something fun taking pictures and growing veggies etc -it's hard to imagine that not everyone gets the same out of this! Clearly they don't! I must admit this place does look a bit like fairy land at the moment with all the snow - I love this weather and we've had more snow here since I did this posting - snowing as I type! This is definitely the best snow we've had here in 6 yrs - enjoy your weekend..

Miranda x

easygardener said...

I always find snow magical because we get so little of it around here. This year is the exception - even more amazingly it is not melting so I can enjoy it for longer. Not so good if you have to travel of course but lovely to look at.

Karen - An Artist's Garden said...

What breathtaking images Miranda - the snow looks so pure and untouched.

We dont have to much here by the coast, (unlike the rest of the UK) although the mountains are covered, and looking very beautiful but I haven't been out much since the New Year.

Belated New Year Greetings to you - here's hoping for a good year in the gardens.
K
xx

Miranda Bell said...

Hi Easygardener - I'm totally with you on the magical front - we didn't even get a flake here last year and not much the previous year so like you have been loving it and taking every opportunity to be out in it too!! It does look as though temperatures are going to start to rise this week in France so we'll see! Have a good rest of the weekend - Miranda

Miranda Bell said...

Dear Karen - do hope you're feeling better from your vertigo and that you're able to get out and enjoy some of this beautiful weather - even this morning the snow is still falling gently but I think there may be a thaw on the way looking at the weather but then you never know!!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend - all the work outside will come only too soon! Mx

Shirley said...

What wonderful images Miranda, just beautiful! Your garden looked quite magical. I do enjoy seeing woodlands with snow :-D

Miranda Bell said...

Thanks for visiting Shirl - and glad you liked the snowy images - thought you'd have had enough of all the snow the quantity you've had this year... but snow in the woodland is very pretty!