Thursday 28.02.2019

Cold! Cold, cold,and foggy and cold! But everything`s relative of course and it only feels cold because of the warm spell we are just emerging from.
All the talk is of seasonal and unseasonal but having attended a meeting of the local group of Extinction Rebellion this week https://xrebellion.org it seems we may have to re-think those terms in the not too far distant future.

Anyway, yesterday there were hints-of-cooler in the breeze and hints-of-haze as the blue sky disappeared behind a gauzy layer of high white cloud which diffused the sunlight

and lowered the temperature.







By contrast the two days previously had been so warm it required a cooling bath on the way round the woods.

The atmosphere was close, warm and still, and amplified the cacophony of bird song proclaiming the apparent arrival of Spring. (They`ve gone much quieter this morning). The scent of new grass and pine encouraged the same illusion: this morning the blanket of cloud has smothered all that optimism.

And, different again, last week there was an unscheduled climb up to Oxen Craig. Unscheduled because of a muddle with work hours and no swimming costume but that`s another story. And no dogs! How very strange to walk and climb without dogs. But a welcome interlude nonetheless. Icy patches all gone, the strong wind was drying everything out nicely,swirling the tree tops round and trying to pluck me off the top but it was as always the best way to forget all trials and tribulations, even if it did result in a couple of toe blisters because I didn`t have the right boots: so much for unscheduled and spontaneity.

Meanwhile, work calls, dogs look quite happy in front of the fire. Maybe eschew the walk today............

Tuesday 12.02.2019

Meeting friend, friend`s son, friend`s newly acquired dog at Bennachie: thought we`d just be walking round the forest but son (and dog) keen to get to the top so off we went - an unexpected but welcome jaunt.
Despite improving temperatures there was still enough ice to threaten ankles and knees and the wind on Mither Tap was strong enough to blow a small dog (or child) off but fortunately we didn`t lose anyone and the views, as always were well worth it.

As we came back down, the sun emerged and it really felt like a spring day

In fact it must have got into the blood because once home it was up to the woods with Dog 1 and Dog 2, birds a-chirruping and the smell of pine permeating everything.
So two walks for the price of one.......legs a bit stiff now though!

Sunday 10.02.2019

At just on 5 p.m. it`s red sky at nearly-night
but the days are definitely drawing out. And thankfully the grass was back properly today......no doubt there`ll be more snow yet to come this winter but, despite the remaining glittery paths,

Spring was in the air at noon today, warm sun, birds a-twittering and shoulder-straightening air. Hope the "red sky at night" thing is correct, at least for the next few days. :)

Thursday 7.02.2019

Much quieter today: cunningly waited until the morning fog had cleared (mine and the day`s) so we had a beautiful afternoon to enjoy.

Plenty of snow and, more particularly,ice still about, plenty of photogenic moments

especially as we were coming back down the road and the sun was setting - by then you could taste the cold.

But goodness, where patches of grass had re-emerged it was a lot easier on the eye - and the legs - and the birds were in Spring-like voice in the sun.

Monday 4.2.2019

Today, despite a warm sun, it was all about the wind, an icy southerly that nipped and snapped at noses and ears as we made our way up the road, shook the melting snow from the trees, often catching us in a cold shower, and set the crows swooping and diving overhead cawing indignantly.
Yesterday up on the back field it was a different story, still and peaceful enough to encourage a little quiet contemplation .....

.....though not for long.

And here was beauty in destruction: this tree, which has stood solitary and dead for as long as we`ve been here, finally succumbed to a storm but still makes a striking landmark.....hopefully no-one will want to "tidy it up" too soon.

Finally one last word about Celtic Connections 2019: Kris Drever and Karine Polwart were brilliant; Rhiannon Giddens the following night was genius (2 encores and a standing ovation) and as for Frank Turner....he never disappoints and it was a cracking way to end the week.
Until next year!

Saturday 2.2.2019

First proper snow-trudge out into an exquisite world of sparkle and glitter.

Once in the woods, out of the stinging little swirls of wind which nipped at the ears, the sun had a surprising amount of warmth in it but not enough to melt much of the snow, perched on top of fence posts giving them the air of be-wigged magistrates

or decorating trees like blossom.

The silence was total bar the occasional rustle and gentle, very gentle, thud as a little snow slithered from a branch. The usual paths were blocked in places by boughs laden with the white stuff.

Fun and games all round

and the sheer glory of it.