Last week I wrote about how much I love winter and how excited I was about the coming season. Well, scratch that. As you may have seen, the UK has been hit by snow this week, which may not seem like a big deal, but as we’re always completely unprepared for bad weather, it has of course sent the country into turmoil. I’m trying to maintain my enthusiasm for winter though, so this week’s column is dedicated to the beautiful, unexpected and disruptive phenomenon that is snow.
It started while I was at work at my day job. Most people wouldn’t have noticed the flakes as there was about a mile between each one, but I have a spidey-sense about snow. It was pretty exciting, particularly as it’s quite unusual for us to get snow in November. My excitement was short-lived however, as not only did the snow not settle, but it stopped altogether.
Over the next few days, I watched enviously as the news reported huge snowstorms everywhere in the UK except for my region. So, imagine my delight when I opened the curtains one morning to see a white blanket covering the street! I immediately wrapped up to walk to work, hiking socks, boots and all and gleefully, if awkwardly, made my way to work.
The snow-related exhilaration lasted about two days. That’s just long enough to nearly fall about 70 times, stand in the freezing cold sweeping a foot of the stuff off my car, try to clear the windscreen while driving only for the liquid to freeze solid, and spend the night shivering because the winter duvet is at the dry cleaners.
Like I mentioned, the UK was totally unprepared for the snow, just like earlier this year when the same thing happened. The disruption has been bad, though I’m sure that people living in places where snow is more frequent are laughing at us right now! We do like a good drama in the UK and the snow sure has delivered.
Over the weekend, the snow has melted into grubby slush, which is not quite as appealing as its beautiful predecessor. I’m not sure whether it’s due to snow again or not, but to be honest I could do with a bit of a break! Still, I’ve got my fingers crossed for a white Christmas…and this year I think it might just happen.
Image credits
Green Island Studios
I Love Hearts
Tilia Handmade Jewellery
Joanna Boyes Photography
Cheryl Toy says
December 9, 2010 at 12:30 amOh, how I relate to this article! I am a displaced Canadian living in New Orleans. Though I’ve been here almost 10 years now, I’ve never quite gotten used to living without snow…especially at Christmas. So glad you got some!
Victoria Bennett Beyer says
December 9, 2010 at 6:03 pmSorry to hear you are shivering in the cold night! I’m from South Carolina living in Wyoming and I’ve gotten a bit tougher and more willing to go out in the cold weather than I used to be, but after about two months I am ready for warm weather again. Wyoming, however, has a winter that lasts six months, so I am always getting tired of it, too, after the initial delight.
Ellie Thouret says
December 9, 2010 at 7:22 pmThanks for your comments! It is still FREEZING here and all the snow has gone so there’s not much to be said for it!