Winter, fifteen years ago
We haven’t had an appreciable snowfall in Berkshire for many years, Occasionally, we have had enough to shut the schools, for health and safety reasons, whereupon families dig out their sledges and skis and head for the nearest hills. It’s bonkers!
It used to be the case that snow fell and covered everything in a thick blanket of deadening white. Crunching through the snow was almost musical, boots squeaking against the crystals. The air burnt one’s nose and throat with cold, and exposed ears tingled. After the snow, the ground remained hard for months in the winter, resounding like a huge drum to footfalls.
It’s always a pleasure to walk with dogs, and see their enthusiasm as they read the landscape. Snow brings fresh excitement and smells. They plunge and leap and nose the unfamiliar white stuff, sometimes eating a mouthful, or finding small mammals underneath, which skitter away as fast as they can from questing muzzles.
Fifteen years ago in January, we had a substantial snowfall. We had at that time two Dalmatians, Buddy Liver Spots, who was blind by then, following an almost fatal attack of meningitis, and Frodo the Faller, and two black Labradors, Jenna and her half-brother, puppy Gus. We kept Buddy on a long lead, as he would otherwise set off purposefully at speed in the wrong direction. The lead allowed him a measure of independence if he wanted it, but he didn’t stray far.
There are two - Jenna on the left and puppy Gus almost completely covered!
They had such fun in the snow!
This year, we have had one paltry snow shower, with heavy frosts most mornings recently, and some fog. I’m not wishing for terrible weather conditions, but it does seem that there is a developing trend for the seasons to become more or less bland. I could live to regret my words!
I don't see much change in our weather, maybe the winters are drier than usual, but Australia has always been dry. Last year we did seem to have more rain "all at once" than the usual pattern. Not that it did much good.
ReplyDeleteWe like to have weather in moderation - too much of anything and we can't cope.
DeleteThe snowstorm that came through a week ago was the largest we've had for five years.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is strange at the moment.
DeleteWhat lovely dogs! And they seem to be having the time of their lives. I hope Barry is continuing to heal well.
ReplyDeleteThey loved the snow. Our current dogs haven't experienced it.
DeleteBarry is healing well, thank you. No plaster now, so he's happy.
When I was young, we had blizzards and the snow stayed around for weeks. Now we hardly get even one good snow storm. Now that I spend the winters in Miami, I don't have to worry about that. We are having cooler weather in Miami. A few days ago we woke up to 49 degrees.
ReplyDeleteWinter really was winter, for several months. It's all rather bland now.
DeleteYou gotta love the way dogs play in the snow!
ReplyDeleteThey were fabulous.
DeleteNothing quite as stunningly beautiful as a dalmatian in the snow! So many dogs- you must have been very busy. I would have loved your home!
ReplyDeleteSnow has not fallen this year for us either. El nina had something to do with that. There is still hope- arctic front coming down next week all the way to the south, which will damage quite a few fruit trees I imagine.
It was a busy time, but we've always had dogs and cats. Other people go away for holidays - every day is a holiday for us (believe it if you can!!)
DeleteThose pictures make me cold just looking at them!
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate that. They're better looked at on a hot, sunny day.
DeleteThose woofers look so happy!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that it's more wind and rain. I passed my test in 2019 and DH passed his test back in the 1990s, but since he works from home now I swear I have more experience driving in bad rain conditions - you know - flooded roads/fountains of water coming up from drains, water pouring down roads etc as it's got a lot more common recently along with lack of snow.
The drains don't seem to be maintained very effectively, so there's a lot of surface water. Some people don't know how to drive on flooded roads and the poor pedestrians get soaked.
DeleteSnow is great when you're young or a dog but us oldies are not fans..I rarely go out in snow these days, because of the fear of slipping over.
ReplyDeleteFresh, crunchy snow is fine. It's frozen, impacted snow that's the problem. Fear of slipping is very real.
DeleteSnow in our parts is very rarely more than a light dusting like icing sugar on a sponge cake 🎂
ReplyDeleteBad weather usually misses us. We had a snowfall a few days ago and it melted almost as soon as it settled.
DeleteIt's lovely to see photos of all your dogs of the time. Dalmatians look so good in the snow.
ReplyDeleteIn the north of England, the Tyne River used to freeze over. I forget the details, but it hasn't for decades. Nothing to do with global warming of course.
The sea used to freeze, too - I don't think that's happened for years now.
DeleteWe had a few flurries which lasted for about 30 minutes, nothing else, not even a real heavy frost, being so close to the coast keeps us a bit warmer. The last heavy snow here was way back in 2013.
ReplyDeleteWe have had some heavy frosts here, but the snow came and went very quickly.
DeleteI am so sorry to self-advertise, but my latest post is called "Migrants welcome to Australia - Bonegilla". My bloody blog is still showing my last post :(
ReplyDeleteBloggering Blogger!
DeleteAye lass, things have changed right enough. In the good old days, you could walk or skate upon frozen rivers and canals in the depths of winter. Great image of Frodo the Faller leaping in the last photo. It looks like an advert for "Bonio"!
ReplyDeleteEven in the soft south we used to have proper winters - can't imagine how all you tough Northeners survived.
DeleteWe consume a lot of tripe.
DeleteClimate can change is happening at a rapid rate isn't it. When we moved into this house 11 and 1/2 years ago we got snowed in for 3 days. It was too deep to shovel the driveway, the snow plows were having a terrible time trying to get the roads clear. Each year since then there's less and less snow and warmer and warmer. However this winter for us it started right before Christmas with bitter cold and has not stopped and we actually do have about 8 in of snow on the ground that will not melt. The dogs definitely look like they enjoyed being outside. Way more than I would.
ReplyDeleteIts's frightening when you realise just how quickly the climate is changing. Time to move to another planet and ruin that!
DeleteI remember 2010. We couldn't get to town for a fortnight in our vehicle. Luckily a friend had 4 wheel drive and we managed to get to the shops.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe those days, isn't it?
DeleteDogs are my THING and this post is super great. your dive in your archives is a pleasure to see. each country is having its own strange/weird/not normal for the area weather. having lived in hurricane country my entire life, this past year was a first, a direct hit, 2 side swipes, and our rainy Florida has had no real rain for 5 years, not our part anyway... I enjoyed seeing you sweet pups
ReplyDeleteWe probably have more photographs of our dogs than our human family members!
ReplyDeleteYou sure had a pack of pooches. I think you still have at least two, but I lose track.
ReplyDelete