Sky-watch, 18th January.
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An early appointment got us up in time to see the pretty dawn sky.
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There were contrails and waves which reminded me of walking on beaches, something I’ve not been able to do for a very long time.
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At boarding school in North Devon in the early 60’s, I was not fond of the Sunday afternoon walks we were obliged to take.
But the beach at Westward Ho! was preferable to the freezing cliffs of Kipling Tor where we were blown along by stiff winds.
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After 6 years in SE Asia, for me that route march was cruel and unusual punishment!
It certainly blew the cobwebs away and the scenery was nice, so I would not have minded, if we’d had a lovely warm living room to return to, but the only way to warm up in those days was to wait for summer and hope for the best!
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When I think of those days in England, I remember long waits on cold, drafty railway platforms followed by train journeys in crowded, over-heated carriages.
Carrying a large, heavy suitcase.
Somehow, my train always arrived at the remotest platform, accessed by climbing stairs up (or down), crossing over (or under) and then down, (or up) the other side:)
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Usually with 3 minutes to spare.
Sometimes an extensive wait.
Then, if I was lucky, I might be able to purchase a cup of tea but lumping a great suitcase about made this awkward.
Generally I just waited, mopping my drippy nose.
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It’s hard to believe I became a fan of cold weather!
Coming to live in the States, I had the luxury of a home that was always warm, but Long Island winters back then were bitter and I had a lot of running around to do, from home to school to work.
It wasn’t fun and I hated driving in snow.
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Then in 1976, my aunt and uncle retired to Maine and that first winter, I went up to spend Christmas with them.
Their house was on a remote road on the side of a hill with not another home in sight.
In the distance you could see Mt Katahdin.
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Maine snow was bigtime!
And their winters seriously cold.
But I was entranced! It was so stunningly beautiful, so still and so peaceful.
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My visits were always problematic, but I loved being in Maine. I might even have considered moving there rather than upstate New York, but with health issues and being semi-disabled, living in a place so remote would not have made sense.
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Visiting Maine gave me a whole new view of winter.
I still don’t like feeling cold when I am indoors but these days when I venture outside in freezing temperatures, it’s because I want to.
Wanting to do something is the key, isn’t it?
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Topping up bird feeders and drinking bowls is what I love to do and I also love to take great lungfuls of the air and feel the tingle of cold on my face as I enjoy the scenery.
A warm house awaits and I am never out for long. There is nothing difficult for me about Winter.
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Today I managed an over-the-shoulder photograph of a bronze horse which we assume to be a memorial?
It enjoys a spectacular view.
What a magnificent horse, and no mucking out to do!
I love, Carolyn, a view with a horse! Also your memories of winters!
Joanna
“Wanting to do something is the key, isn’t it?’
So true.
Your photos are proof that sometimes it’s worth getting up early — beautiful morning shots! True, when you do something you love (and of your own free will), there are few things better than that! Beautiful last photo – the white snow and blue sky … I understand why you love Winters so much.
I love to look at snow on other people’s photos. Then I get the feeling of relief that I don’t have to go out in it. (Except to walk Ollie when it snows here, which comes under ‘wanting to do’.)
Best wishes, Pete.