Wednesday 7 March 2018

Snow Day


I really hope you don't mind me sharing my snow photographs from this last week, even if they are a little later than most.
Last Tuesday it began to snow here. There was a reasonable covering and as Lily wasn't at school that day we had a great time playing in the garden.
The following morning we awoke to even more snow, and not only that but the soft flakes were still falling thick and fast. In a very short space of time the fields, pathways and roads were covered with a blanket of white. Then the message came through - school had declared a Snow Day! I remember as a child, every Winter holding out for this magical event. A day spent having fun, instead of being spent sat in the classroom. Or lessons spent wistfully staring out of the window at the falling flakes, desperately hoping it was heavy enough for it to be considered sensible to send us all home early. Sadly, in reality, Snow Days are very few and far between, so therefore, must be filled with as much fun and silliness as possible.


We waited until mid-morning and took our sledges into the fields down the lane behind our house, where there is a perfectly formed hill which is ideal for sledging. It is not too steep and is right in the middle of the field, well away from fences, walls and other potential hazards. The sheep, as you can see, were not in the slightest bit interested. It was bitterly cold but we were wrapped up well in our jackets and salopettes.


And when we tired of sledging we rolled down the hill. Yes, I did too!


Snow!




A distant Snow Angel.


It was such a fun morning, then Lily persuaded me it would be a great idea for me to pull her back home on the sledge. Exhausting for me, but she was so happy it was worth it. A quick lunch then we were into the garden again to have a snowball fight. Once the activity calmed down a bit the cold began to set in, so we retreated inside to the warmth of the fire and a hot drink, outdoor clothing hung up to dry on the radiators.
It was such a special day, full of happiness and laughter. One of those little gems of simple pleasure that life throws at us from time to time.
Unfortunately, that same evening I became ill with Norovirus! I should have guessed it was coming, as I felt a little more nauseous than expected after rolling down the hill and Lily had suffered from it the previous week. Thankfully, it passed quickly and this week I am concentrating on getting my strength back and working up to eating a proper meal once again. Soup has been my saving grace. Thank you to everyone who has already wished me well over the last few days.
The snow is all but gone now except for on the high fells and the odd patches of white in the fields. Winter is enjoying having its last blast but for me, after the last few days,  I am finally feeling the need for some warm Spring air.
J. X

40 comments:

  1. so beautiful. You always take the most gorgeous photographs. I'm glad you got to enjoy it for a while before you were ill. I'm also glad it has passed now.

    Yes. I think I'm ready for spring now. Now we've had the glorious snow and brilliant snow days! xx

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    1. Thank you Sadie. I was so relieved we had been able to enjoy the day before I became ill. Could you imagine Lily being stuck in the house with all that snow around? I have enjoyed Winter so much this year. Maybe because it has felt like a proper Winter rather than just being damp and gloomy, but I'm really getting ready for Spring now. Let's hope it arrives soon. X

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  2. Oh Jules...the photos are beautiful...but Norovirus...I bet it did pass quickly! What rotten luck...yes roll on some Spring sunshine now please x

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    1. Thank you Jackie. Yes, it arrived and passed very quickly but I've been left with very little energy. Hopefully some sunshine will make me feel better. X

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  3. Great photos - my favourite just has to be the first one, it's beautiful, though the sheep come a close second. It sounds like you had a really fun day - simple pleasures can mean so much and create lovely memories :)

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    1. Thank you Eunice. It was taken on the track which goes near the back of our house. It's true the best memories are created doing the simplest of things. X

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  4. I was smiling when I read this post. It made me want to roll down a snowy hill. :)
    I get to see snow very rarely, only if I visit a friend in winter in up north.
    I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time.

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    1. I'm glad it made you smile Nil. The snow rolling was fun. We haven't experienced this much snow for a while now, so it was important to make the most of it. X

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  5. The photos are fantastic - so clear and emotive. It sounds like a lovely. What a shame it ended with you being so unwell but I am glad you're recovering now.
    J x

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    1. Thank you Joy. I was just so pleased I was able to enjoy the day before becoming ill. X

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  6. it sounds like you had fun (before the norovirus anyway).

    We had 3 snowdays in the end I think all of the schools where I am were shut for the whole time until it started to thaw at the weekend.

    When I was a kid Im sure we never had snowdays - but then health and safety wasnt an issue either! :)

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    1. Three days! You must have had much more snow than we did. I think the school issue is often because they can't get enough members of staff in. I hope Evie enjoyed playing out in the snow. X

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  7. I hope you're feeling better now. I agree, you do have to make the most of these special days. We went for years without Daniel and Eleanor seeing proper snow when they were young so when it started snowing late one New Year's Eve, we got them out of bed so that they could go out and play in it, we thought it might have gone by morning. It was something quite out of the ordinary that we'll all always remember. I'm sure Lily's snow day is something she'll remember too.

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    1. Thank you Jo. I'm getting there, just feeling very tired still. It really wiped me out for a time.
      That sounds like a wonderful memory for Daniel and Eleanor. It's so important to seize the moment sometimes and make the most of these precious times. X

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  8. That sounds like a lovely joyous day out in the snow.
    So sorry that you have been ill but very glad to hear that you are recovering. It's a nasty thing that Norovirus.
    Our snow is all gone now and we are getting some sunny days.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. It was such fun Sheila.
      The forecast is looking sunny for the next couple of days so I'm hoping Spring isn't far off now. X

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  9. Oh yuk, what a sad end to a gorgeous (and very memorable) day. Do you think you picked up something int he field? Sheep droppings . . . . ?

    Hope you will soon be feeling back to normal. x

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    1. It wasn't the best Jayne (although my jeans fit much better now!) There wasn't anything picked up in the field - too much snow for that. The more likely culprit is the hotbed of germs I'm currently working in. X

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  10. Enjoy these times, they soon grow up - hope you are feeling fully well by now x

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    1. Don't they just! I'm making the most of it. I'm feeling a lot better now, thank you Kate. X

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  11. Your precious Lily will have some wonderful memories of growing up.
    Hope you get well soon Jules, don't try to do too much too soon. xx

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    1. Oh, I do hope so Marlene. Thank you, I'm already feeling a lot better. Just taking things easy this week though. X

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  12. So sorry to hear about your illness, hopefully you are now on the mend. The photographs were stunning, a real joy to see. Such special times with Lily that she will remember for a long time to come.

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    1. I'm feeling a lot better now, thank you, I just need to work on my energy levels. I do hope Lily will have happy memories to look back on. I had fun too. X

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  13. Lovely photos Jules, thank you for sharing. I'm glad you both got to have fun in the snow. I'm so glad you're feeling better now, poor you. I've not had it but I've had flu for 10 days, not nice. Take care, bless you. Cathy x

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    1. Thank you Cathy. I'd only just got over having one cold after another this Winter when this latest bug landed on me. Flu must have been very unpleasant. I hope you're much better now. X

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  14. What a lovely snow day you both had! I'm so sorry you that you got ill after that, though. Hope you are recovering well. Rest as much as you can.

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    1. Thank you Bless. I've been taking it easy this week. I'm glad you're feeling much better too. X

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  15. Glad to hear you have almost shaken it off. Delightful pictures of the snowy world - all the more delightful now that it is but a distant memory. It was like a spring day here today.

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    1. Thank you Pat. The sun is out here today, but it's still very cold. I do hope Tess will be OK. X

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  16. Sorry to hear you have been unwell and I hope you get fully well soon. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the snow days with Lily. It's thawed here now and much warmer, what a difference a week makes.

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    1. I'm feeling much better, thank you Eileen, just very tired so I'm taking it easy this week. It's sunny but still very cold here today. I'm looking forward to some warmer weather now. X

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  17. Amazing photographs, so pleased you were able to get out and about together and have so much fun.

    Sorry to hear you have since been unwell ... sending my good wishes and hope you are back to 100% soon.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. I'm not sure Lily would have forgiven me had I not been able to take her out in the snow! I'm feeling a lot better now. X

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  18. Hi Jules. Sorry to be late reading this. Glad you both had such a wonderful day before the bug struck. Hope you are now fully recovered xx

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    1. It was such a treat to be able to enjoy the snow. I'm feeling much better now, thank you. I just need to build my strength up. This morning I went out for my first gentle run since having the virus, and it has taken a lot out of me. X

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  19. Lots of lovely snow.
    What a shame you succumbed to the virus, pleased to read you are well on the mend now.

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    1. I wonder if we can expect some more this weekend? I've just read there is another cold snap heading this way, although I'm really ready for Spring now. X

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  20. What a beautiful post Jules. I can remember looking out of the window hoping we'd get sent home as well. I'm sure Lily will always remember her snow day and especially her Mum rolling down the hill :) Having all that snow to yourself makes me feel quite envious. There is a hill not too far from us but it's like the M5 within a matter of minutes. Hoardes of children descend and quite right too, but it is a little scary watching them all whizzing down with no real control over where they'll end up.

    Glad you are feeling better. Those sorts of bugs are horrid. Winter hasn't disappointed this year but I'm ready for spring now. xx

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    1. I do hope Lily remembers days like this as she grows older. That little hill is great for little ones (and not so little ones!)to sledge down. There is so much space and it is a safe as it can be. It's good that it doesn't get busy too.
      I really hope I've seen the last of Winter ailments this year. It feels like it's been one thing after another. Lily seems to have started with a cough now! I have enjoyed having a proper Winter this year but I'm definitely ready for Spring now. X

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