Total whiteout

OK so I thought they were exaggerating when they predicted a major snowstorm, but looks like the weather guys actually got it right. I noticed it had snowed overnight purely because Cooper did a double take and headed back to his chair rather than investigate opportunities for bird munching. Then it actually started to snow and that was about six hours ago and yes indeed it is still going.

I have happy memories of snowdays from childhood, we'd often get sent home from school because the boiler would break down or blow up or because there was a strike or something. We didn't really care why, just loved being able to escape school and make our way home, which took a very long time as there would of course be a snowball fight or a snowman to build or someone who lived nearby would have just got a "dead good sledge". When home, it'd be Jamie and his Magic Torch or Chorlton & the Wheelies on the telly and I'd be quite happily left to my own devices with some hot milk or hot chocolate and an Animal Bar - I loved animal bars, do they still even make them?. We haven't really had lots and lots of snow, not like when i was a child, but I suspect that maybe that snow drift wasn't really six foot deep then, it just seemed bigger as I was quite little.

But today we have lots of snow. Sadly I don't live near my childhood friends, if I did I suspect we would still be having snowball fights and stealing the kiddies sledges for a go, so I have to make do with Scruffbag to be be my snowday adventures amigo.

Scruffbag as I have said before loves snow, she loves to chase snowballs and still always seems surprised when they explode on impact and just aren't there. Equally, she really loves burying her nose in it, although I'm sure that's pretty chilly. Generally everything about snow, oh except snowmen. Snowmen she thinks are deeply suspect and not to be trusted or indeed passed. (I learned this after spending 20 minutes wondering why she was refusing to follow me up her favourite lane one day - sadly in the end snowman had to be sacrificed in the interests of us going anywhere, she liked it lots when snowman was pushed over and lay defeated on the ground). here she is anyway, enjoying the snow as I said:



So walkies today was very exciting for Scruff and indeed for me because we were the first to venture out to the lane (pictured above) and so we had pure, virgin snow all for us to make footprints in. There's something very exciting about that don't you think? Reminded me of being four and being very excited about snow and snowmen and being able to wear my red wellies in it lots. (Though apparently I liked to wear my red wellies everywhere and in any weather condition at all. I even once insisted on wearing them to the outdoor swimming pool at a local park). I still like wellies, sadly my red ones split rather dramatically, overuse I suspect. You will be pleased to know I no longer insist on wearing them to the swimming pool, mainly because I suspect they have policies about that sort of thing).

Anyway as ever I have wandered off point, I do that, I suspect you have noticed. Off we stomped anyway happy in our snowy wonderland, even I will admit that the countryside can look rather quaint shrouded in snow. So I duly showed my love, by leaving a little heart for my fellow dog walkers to enjoy :



I think this shot shows just how much snow there actually was, it was certainly interesting clambering over the style with this lot on it !



Overall, it was lovely, snow glistening on the trees, a neverending mass of white covering the top fields and an amazing stillness and quiet about everything. (probably because the birds were hiding).

So now we're back, started up the coal fire early as it is minus 6 or something crazy and I'll probably have a mug of hot chocolate and make some buttery toast. Scruffbag is happily snoring on a cushion which she really shouldn't have, but she looks cute so I'm letting her get away with it (sssh don't tell).

So here's to snow days, because they are actually really quite lovely.