Frost and snow

December arrived with cold temperatures and hoar frost, crystals growing out from leaves, transforming mundane plants into things of beauty.

Even dead twigs took on new life.

It wasn't a totally monochrome world though - here and there winter shrubs brought colour to the garden.

 And before a thaw set in, snow fell. Not a lot, but enough to cover the world in white for a day.

A very short walk to see snowdrops at Kedleston

Following my slip on the stairs at the beginning of January I haven't been able to walk far or get out and about, so I'm really glad that I'm beginning to recover in time for snowdrops. At the beginning of last week I decided it was time to try an afternoon out at Kedleston. My intent was to visit the snowdrops in the Pleasure Grounds then try a section of the Short Walk. Things didn't work out as well as I'd hoped though. 

What I'd failed to consider was the difference between walking on relatively smooth pavements near home and the unevenness of car parks and grass. A very short walk to see the snowdrops was enough, but they were worth the effort.

Snowdrops are always special, a sign that winter is almost over, spreading randomly down grassy banks and promising Spring's arrival.

I spotted a couple of other hopeful Spring flowers too. A very early rhododendron, almost hidden in behind other shrubs (possibly to shelter it from direct morning sunshine)

 and daffodils - only one in flower so far but many more waiting for a little warmth.

Advent Trail and frozen lakes at Kedleston

Like many country houses, Kedleston Hall is decorated inside for Christmas, but on a sunny (but frosty) day I wanted to explore the Advent Trail. To be honest it's aimed at children but it added an extra bit of fun to the Short Walk, even for us old folks.

Twenty-four festively-decorated 'houses' fastened to trees have doors which open to disclose wintry/Christmassy related facts or simple activities (count the painted stars, sing a carol, for example).

There are opportunities for selfies and family photos by the massive parcels and evergreen archway, in a sleigh, or even crouched inside a Christmas bauble, and all in all it's an enjoyable way to get outside for some fresh air.

The Short Walk itself was looking beautiful with sun shining across frosted fields and lighting up the remaining leaves, but, having found all the advent doors, we turned round at the viewpoint, and headed back downhill to see something special which I'd noticed on the approach to the Hall.

Passing over the bridge I'd noticed that the lakes had iced over - or at least almost - and I wanted to see them from closer up.

Water was still flowing freely over the weirs, but most of the lakes above and below were frozen. 

Here and there, where the current was strongest, the water had remained clear for most of the day, but by late afternnon even that was starting to ice over.

There were very few birds remaining on the water and I wondered where they'd gone - till a helicopter flew over the neighbouring golf course and disturbed them, filling the air with their raucous noise for a few minutes before they settled again.

We didn't walk far. After a while one frozen lake starts to look much like another, and the temperature was dropping as the sun set.

 By this time, just the trees over on the golf course were still in light, and reflecting on the frozen lake.

Snow day - or two

Last weekend was one of cancelled plans and unexpected snow.

Derby missed the highest winds - they rushed in further north and while the garden was shaken nothing fell over - but there was little warning about snow.

Sleet had been forecast for Sunday - and we were beginning to wonder about the advisability of a proposed trip to Chatsworth - but about lunchtime light fluffy snow started to fall. And fall. And fall. So we cancelled that idea, instead sitting tight and watching flakes cover the garden, turning it into a winter wonderland.

I was a bit surprised to see everywhere still covered in white the next day

It was the wet bulky sort of snow that clings to everything - transforming leaves, branches, even the washing line into something magical! Not for long though. 

 

Jottings - February 14th - hibernating

 

Last week it was so very, very cold outside that getting up and doing something (anything) wasn't appealing. Days were dull and cold but with little snow, sunsets were fiery red, and the birdbath water froze solid for three days.

 Maybe the contrast between lovely warm indoors and freezing temperatures outside encourages us to be lazy; to curl up somewhere snug and semi-hibernate. Obviously if you have work to go to, a dog to walk, grocery-shopping to do, then staying huddled inside isn't an option. But I've nowhere I need to go and, having seen forecasts for heavy snow, did my shopping early. 

So I stayed in. 

I tended to the sourdough (made my best loaf so far, plus naan, pizza and dumplings from the discard), 

I started reading Troy by Stephen Fry (one of my Christmas presents) and continued my Wii Lego journey through Middle Earth - that's nearly finished with just a few irritating tasks left to do, and I've decided to start a Lego Pirates of the Caribbean alongside.  Made cake with aquafaba, coconut water and blackberries from the freezer 

I finished the gloves/hat/scarf set made with another Christmas present, and I'm now at that 'find the next project' stage. 

Other places had huge snow drifts or beautiful icicles worth walking to see. We just had cold, iron-hard ground with the lightest covering of snow. On Tuesday I went out in the hope of finding some snow away from pavements and roads ... but didn't, although falling snow made pretty stars on my coat.