Unexpectedly finding myself more physically resilient last year, we began travelling further afield and taking more frequent excursions around the countryside.
Then, I’m not quite sure why, in December we went precisely nowhere. Perhaps it was the weather, though I don’t recall conditions being so dire as to keep us locked in.
December is not very inspiring. I’ll put it down to that.
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Time to get back out there and with snow on the ground our frequently travelled routes would seem entirely new. It was early last year that we discovered Hidden Valley so we’ve enjoyed seasonal changes, but we had not been back for some weeks.
This would be the first time in snow. It’s a bit off the beaten track, however the road was ploughed and easily navigable.
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Last Spring we had record rainfall which brought down this hillside.
Floods were followed by severe drought. What will happen this year?
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A frequently-admired sycamore, its white bark more stunning than ever.
Travelling this way in warm weather, we’d commented that perhaps it would be best avoided in winter, yet as you can see it was no problem.
Not that day, at least. Still not a good idea in an ice storm.
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Hidden Valley is reached by a road that winds through the woods.
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Deeply shaded for most of the year, perhaps the woods are never as bright as on a sunlit day following snow. It struck me as joyful.
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What is it about a snow-covered wooded hillside that is so visually pleasing?
Surely I cannot be alone in thinking so.
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Pleasing too are the crisp edges of snow-covered roofs.
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Hidden Valley, when we reached it, was deeply shaded but it mattered not at all since the journey itself is such a large part of the enjoyment.
And we still had the return trip, by another route.
As a postscript I should mention that we are expecting a massive storm starting tomorrow morning, that is likely to cause widespread power outages. Strong winds and dangerously cold temperatures will make repair work very difficult, so we shall have to be patient. We have a generator and a gas fire to keep us going.
Usually when everyone gets worked up, it’s for nothing.
We shall see.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for the update on your busy life and daily driving adventures! I hope the storm will not affect you and the wildlife too much. I keep my fingers and toes crossed for you!
Joanna
I see that the woodland road still has snow, and from my computer at least, looked potentially icy! But it was worth the drive to see the sights, and I hope that you miss the worst of the storm that is forecast. (It is even being reported here on the BBC as ‘one of the worst ever’). Take care.
Best wishes, Pete.
Hopefully, you will benefit from the beauty of the weather, but avoid any damage, power outages or loss of other facilities.
We are still on the edge of drought, sadly. For now, the snow is falling thickly and with determination. This is our first real storm in a few years. Hopefully it will help with the long term drought conditions. Be safe and comfortable through the strorm!
Yes, you too!
The photo of the sycamore is so beautiful! The Hidden Valley that you find here in South Africa (near Stellenbosch) is a lush green wine farm – so different from ‘your’ Hidden Valley 😊 … but each have their own charm.