Into January

Well I did say in my last post that I hoped the wintery weather would stay away for a few more days, but of course, it didn't listen.  After a light dusting of snow on Sunday we woke up to more snow on Monday morning.  Bags were packed and we were ready to travel.

The garden always looks pretty covered in snow and the sunlight was a bonus.  Photos above and below taken from our bedroom window.

The sun in the trees in the school nature reserve behind our hedge was so beautiful.

I ventured outside to take the photo above.  It was time to leave home and see how far we could get along our journey.

The roads out of the city were very slowly passable.  As you can see it says -5°C on the dashboard. By the time we reached Ashbourne and beyond the roads were almost clear, it was a good job we decided to at least try to get out of the city. 

My cousin's funeral went well and her long life was celebrated with both laughter and tears.  When we visited her in hospital back in November she was proud of being ninety four and three quarters and was insistent the three quarters were important. We gathered afterwards at her favourite restaurant - link -where it was 'fish and chips' for all and a gift of flowers for her cousins and friends.  My cousin and her husband had their wedding reception at the restaurant way back in 1951.  Apparently I was there as a babe in arms, just a few months old.

We had to leave the flowers in the car overnight as I thought the hotel room might be too warm.  They survived well until we got home.

We stopped briefly at Carsington Water on the way home for a quick leg stretch but it was so very cold.  The robin above was happy to pose for a photo.

The water in the reservoir was still very low.

The paths were too icy to walk safely.  We decided to make for home and stock up on food on the way.   Thankfully, we don't have to venture out for a few days because another storm is expected.  Will there be more snow?

All for now.  Take care.