driving home for christmasDecember 23rd posted by hannah
As our house will be inhabited while we're away, I can safely say that we're looking forward to driving south for Christmas. The presents are wrapped, the suitcase is packed and we've bought Jelly Babies for the journey. We have even prepared notes to let Father Christmas know that our stockings are to be found at Grandma Burgesses, this year.
iceDecember 21st posted by hannah
The temperature didn't make it above -9 here yesterday and it was -15 on Shap last night. We may be at serious risk of freezing if we stand still for too long, but Jon is happy because there's ice to climb. He has already been out earlier in the week and tomorrow he's hoping to climb Cautley Spout. A 250 metre frozen waterfall which according to the guide book, comes into condition once every 10 years - yes folks, a 250 metre wall of ice, and not a tea shop for miles. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, this is what -9 does to our kitchen windows. Extra photo here.
castDecember 10th posted by hannah
One of the best moments of the year is when the curtain rises on the school nativity play. This year Daniel was a very rugged 'person at the inn', complete with full beard. There was a moment of pure panto at the end when the Headmaster said; 'put your hand up if you were good... put TWO hands up if you were very good..' This was that moment!
coldDecember 9th posted by hannah
There is now ice on the inside of our new double-glazed windows. Oh yes, it is no longer confined to the old single-glazed panes. The milkman is delivering our milk the night before it's due because if he doesn't, it freezes overnight and spectacularly cracks it's way out of the bottles. However, the snowman is happy and we're still travelling everywhere by sledge.
matchstick men and matchstick cats and dogsDecember 7th posted by hannah
When we were growing-up, my parents had two large, hardbacked picture books that lived in a bookcase in the lounge. One had some Lowry prints in and I used to enjoy looking at them. I wonder what became of them and hope they didn't suffer the horrible fate of death by carpet beetle. I thought this scene was quite Lowry-esque.
white worldDecember 6th posted by hannah
We're getting used to our white world. It'll seem strange when we have to exchange our snowboots and sledges for raincoats and wellies. It's been fantastic to have 10 days without needing a waterproof. I don't even know where mine is (although my mum would say that's more a reflection on the state of our house, than the weather). More pictures here.
good timesDecember 5th posted by hannah
Being out and about today felt like being in a ski resort. Almost everyone we saw was heading to or from the slopes. Skis slung over shoulders, snowboards under the arm, sledges, fertiliser bags and boogie-boards in tow. The talk around the village has been all about which hills are in the best condition, which slopes are in the sun, which runs have got a bit too icy and who's built the finest jumps. It's been another glorious day. Roast Beef for lunch followed by sledging in the sunshine.
skiing the scarDecember 4th posted by hannah
We've been out on the nursery slopes of Reston Scar with skis, sledges and taped-up feet (Jon). Dan and Boo soon polished off the green runs with Dan proving to be a bit of a speed freak this year. However Boo isn't far behind him, and she certainly isn't lacking in confidence so we might go for one of the steeper slopes later this afternoon. I think we're going to have to start a skiing holiday fund. More photos here.
driftDecember 3rd posted by hannah
There are some spectacular snowdrifts around the village now. Some of the best are based around hedges, and wheely bins. They completely change the landscape, with new hillocks and slopes appearing all over the place. I nearly got lost yesterday, because the road I was following which is normally a wide tarmac track, had been transformed into a sunken lane, about as wide as a sheep track with snowdrifts on either side. The drift in this picture was formally known as the hedge at the top of Haw Lane.
proper winterDecember 2nd posted by hannah
It's only December 2nd and we've had fresh snow every day for almost a week. If the temperature stays low it will be with us for a while yet. Daniel and Bethan have been to school and nursery every day this week on their sledges and there has been enough snowfall overnight, to cover the previous day's tracks completely. I'm even beginning to feel Christmassy and may have to break out the decorations early.
sledges at dawnDecember 1st posted by hannah
There are many signs of a good school but here's a new one for the list. This week, Daniel's school have been encouraging the children to bring in their sledges, for use at playtime. How fantastic! I am sure that the health and safety executive would be deeply traumatised at the very idea, but we are happy and I as I can hear the children at playtimes, I have been smiling all day. More pictures here.
