Friday 27 January 2012

The Vagiaries of our English Weather.







Yesterday, after lunch, Tess and I set off for our walk in brilliant sunshine. Our lane has a high hedge on one side and luckily the wind was blowing from the South West, so we were completely sheltered. It was like walking on an early Spring day.

People often dump garden rubbish on our lane. While this can be unsightly and annoying, it does eventually rot down and it does have the occasional 'perk' like these lovely snowdrops which are growing up through last year's detritus.

The fields were bathed in sunshine and the sun was quite warm on our backs as we trundled along as far as the beck, which you will see is pretty full. Then we turned for home and even with the wind facing us, it was still quite warm and sunny.

We came in. I took off my boots, hat and anorak and we came into the warm kitchen. I looked out of the kitchen window and it was snowing heavily! It was only a shower and soon the sun was out again but by tea time it was sleeting and was a perfectly horrible end to the day.

I know it is only January, but the trouble is that a bit of sunshine, a clear sky in the morning so that one realises the days are getting longer, a lovely patch of aconites or snowdrops, and I tend to think that Spring is here. I have to keep reminding myself that February is still to come.

There was a time when we used to say 'February fill-dyke' but in recent years there have been some very dry Februarys. Who knows what it has in store for us this year. The farmer is hoping for a dry one as our fertiliser is coming this afternoon and at present the ground is far too 'claggy' for it to be spread. The fertiliser we have is called 20:10:10: although quite what that means I have no idea. I shall try and catch its delivery this afternoon and make some enquiries. Watch this space.

16 comments:

Elisabeth said...

For you Pat, February is yet to come, with more cold, rain and sleet. For us February is the hottest month when we must endure the threat of bush fires and intense heat. Funny how our worlds are such opposites.

MorningAJ said...

What is it they say? If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes!

Bovey Belle said...

The weathermean are threatening a cold spell and snow here. What perfect timing - NOT! I'm glad that you got out whilst it was warm and sunny.

Gwil W said...

In Vienna the winter hasn't really got going (yet). Odd sprinkles of snow above 500 mtrs. Nothing serious.

The snowdrops and the primroses are about. Some days in the sunshine it really feels like spring. Lots of birds about. Yesterday a woodpecker - black with red spot. No white. Nice to see it. Also a robin. Very red.

Red squirrels also running about.

Elizabeth said...

There is a wonderful painting called FebruaryFill Dyke.
I will try to email it to you.
Doesn't it sound wonderful?

Heather said...

I read in today's Telegraph that we may expect snow as far south as Devon during the next month which will be very cold, so brace yourself. Hope it stays dry for the fertilising and that it can be done before the snow arrives.

Pondside said...

Yesterday it occurred to me that it was light at 0700 - all of a sudden. Then in the afternoon I paid attention and saw that it was still light at 1700 - February may be still to come, but I am heartened by the increase in daylight!

Crafty Green Poet said...

apparently it's going to be a very cold February this year.....

Anonymous said...

20.10.10 is the Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium content of the fertiliser, it is written as NPK.

Your pictures continue to delight and I am happy that your can find joy in the dumping of garden waste in your lane. I hope you enjoy your weekend and won't get snowed on.

George said...

The unpredictability of England's weather is one of its enduring charms. When people ask me what I take on my long-distance walks in England, I usually reply that I prepare for every kind of weather that can be imagined.

Eryl said...

Very spring-like here today. I do love this time of year with its visibly lengthening days: pregnant with promise.

Dave King said...

The fact that most flowering plants in the garden are still going (the blooms fewer and smaller, of course, but for the most part beautifully formed) is what makes me continually overlook the fact that we are not too far into winter yet.

The Weaver of Grass said...

The big freeze commeth say the weathermen. We shall have to wait and see, says the farmer. We shall have to take what comes, says the farmer. I can't bear the thought say I!
Thanks for joining in.

ArtPropelled said...

We've had a cooler week after last weeks sweltering heat wave but the weathermen predict it to be as hot as hades again next week. I'm bracing myself.

Mary said...

Lovely walk in the warmth of the day alongside you between the hedgerows - I wish!!!!

Hope February is not too brutal there. We're a bit concerned here too because we've not had any really cold days yet!

H said...

I will have to scrape the car this morning, but it's only a thin covering. Friends up Manchester way are talking about snow and closed roads. I'm in wait and see mode.