Mother Nature finally graced us with her snowy offerings on Saturday night.
The temperature had been dropping for a few days and reached -3 C on Saturday. Then, during the early evening snow started to fall. It coincided with the dog-walking time, so I took Kita out so I could fully enjoy the experience.
I haven't seen snow for ages! Yes, we had a little in Tokyo a few years ago but missed it last year due to a holiday. And I grew up on Dartmoor in Devon where we had proper snow most years, but mainly I've experienced 'city snow' - wet stuff that rapidly turns grey slushy and sad.
This was special snow. Not a lot fell - about an inch at most - but because it was so cold, it fell as ice crystals, all sparkly and tiny. The last time I saw anything remotely similar was during the blizzard of 1978.
Kita loved it! She bounced around in bemusement and joy, pouncing on snowflakes, snapping at the falling ones and sticking her tongue out to catch them.
The snow on the ground squeaked under my boots and twinkled and glistened under the street lamps. Nobody was out and about so I was able to make the all important first footprints in the snow. It made me ridiculously happy!
The snow was still there the next morning. Unfortunately Rhiannon has a very nasty cold so couldn't find the energy to go out and enjoy it.
Down by the lake more fun was to be had. Now the lake was totally frozen, with a few animal footprints criss-crossing the expanse of white. Probably the local fox. Tim went onto the ice and skidded. Kita was very puzzled indeed and kept staring at his feet, wondering if he was on wheels. Then she stepped out and did a fine impression of Bambi! She soon got her balance thanks to her furry pads, but overall, she is understandably very suspicious of ice.
Today the snow is still around... because the temperature has now dropped to -8 C! And it's forecast to get even colder as the week continues.
I do not like the cold. But I do love the snow so am learning (the hard way) what constitutes sensible cold-weather clothing. On this morning's dog walk my face and ears got very cold indeed - two hats and scarves tomorrow! And I think I need two pairs of trousers too; my down parka is rather short and my knees froze.
I do hope we get some more snow soon. It freshens up the view and my mood immensely.
