Snow in the Cotswolds Jan 5
The snow has come late to our patch of the Cotswolds, but when it did arrive, it fell so quickly I had to dash out to capture it. As I left the village, it was just beginning to lay properly. There was an unusual amount of bustling for a Tuesday afternoon as people stripped our Co-op store of emergency supplies. Our little Victorian church was looking sweetly Thomas Hardy-ish.
Up at the allotments it was hard to see further than a quarter of a mile ahead - white out on the horizons.
I was the only person out walking, in a snow globe world of my own. 
As I left the village, I became wrapped in white muffled quiet, the landscape transforming into a Flemish painting.
Looking back at the allotments and seeing the village disappearing.
I headed for the tunnel and beyond -
Now I felt like an arctic explorer, warm under my layers, as the snow fell faster in thick clumps. 
How beautiful even the bare seed heads appear - the summer froth of cow parsley flowers replaced with ice crystals.
I was not too far from habitation - soon I was heading for a farm, my footprints the only ones, save for the spidery trails left by birds.
Pheasants were flocking to the farm, intent on shelter and filching stray grain from the storage bins. As I approached, they whirred clumsily up into the flurries, cackling rustily, like clockwork toys.
I was back on the lane and turning for home -
- just in time to catch a blurred shot of Mr Hare, not as graceful as he normally is, lumbering across a distant field.
Back towards the top farm I clumped, my mouth open and tongue out to catch the falling flakes.
Snow seems to suit Cotswold houses, the thick stone walls appearing impenetrable from any cold. 
Time to go home. 
Past the gorgeous house-which-should-be-mine...
Past the farmer doing some housework on the hedgerows...
Reaching my favourite footpath which takes me back to the village as dusk falls.
The stream trickles slowly, the only noise save for the distant laughter of children from the central green. 
Dog walkers began to emerge, and I was almost back to civilisation.
In the time I had been out and about, we had been transformed. What will tomorrow bring? 
The snow has come late to our patch of the Cotswolds, but when it did arrive, it fell so quickly I had to dash out to capture it. As I left the village, it was just beginning to lay properly. There was an unusual amount of bustling for a Tuesday afternoon as people stripped our Co-op store of emergency supplies. Our little Victorian church was looking sweetly Thomas Hardy-ish.
Up at the allotments it was hard to see further than a quarter of a mile ahead - white out on the horizons.
I was the only person out walking, in a snow globe world of my own. 
As I left the village, I became wrapped in white muffled quiet, the landscape transforming into a Flemish painting.
Looking back at the allotments and seeing the village disappearing.
I headed for the tunnel and beyond -
Now I felt like an arctic explorer, warm under my layers, as the snow fell faster in thick clumps. 
How beautiful even the bare seed heads appear - the summer froth of cow parsley flowers replaced with ice crystals.
I was not too far from habitation - soon I was heading for a farm, my footprints the only ones, save for the spidery trails left by birds.
Pheasants were flocking to the farm, intent on shelter and filching stray grain from the storage bins. As I approached, they whirred clumsily up into the flurries, cackling rustily, like clockwork toys.
I was back on the lane and turning for home -
- just in time to catch a blurred shot of Mr Hare, not as graceful as he normally is, lumbering across a distant field.
Back towards the top farm I clumped, my mouth open and tongue out to catch the falling flakes.
Snow seems to suit Cotswold houses, the thick stone walls appearing impenetrable from any cold. 
Time to go home. 
Past the gorgeous house-which-should-be-mine...
Past the farmer doing some housework on the hedgerows...
Reaching my favourite footpath which takes me back to the village as dusk falls.
The stream trickles slowly, the only noise save for the distant laughter of children from the central green. 
Dog walkers began to emerge, and I was almost back to civilisation.
In the time I had been out and about, we had been transformed. What will tomorrow bring? 
Oh Gretel I'm so glad that you like to walk and bike, and take photos for us to see! thank-you.
ReplyDeleteSnow seems to suit the countryside better than it does the town... you did well to capture that lovely hare.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me along with you on your walk, it was very enjoyable and I wasn't at all tired at the end!
ReplyDeleteI love the gradual gloaming of the sky in the photos as your walk progresses. Lots of interesting shapes the snow creates out there. Keep warm, Gretel!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely charming blog of the snow! Gorgeous pic of the hare.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and magical walk. Your photos are beautiful. I especially love the shot of that majestic tree. On my computer monitor it has such a wonderful sepia tone to it.
ReplyDeleteYou and I are much alike in that when there is 'foul weather' (by others standards), we'll be out walking, enjoying nature and our solitary existence. Beautiful pics, again...are you tired of hearing this yet? :) haha! Hope you're well...ER
ReplyDeleteLovely. Even though it's inconvenient, I do love a bit of snow.
ReplyDeleteThat was truly delightful! Thank you for the beautiful snowy walk.
ReplyDeleteGosh, that was lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, PG, without you and your camera and your trusty boots and knowlege of your terrain, I would never been able to see these snowscapes.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I love the feeling of motion through the snow's accumulating that your photos and words convey. You truly do let us be there with you, noticing what you noticed, as you noticed it all.
It is impossible to pick out favorite pictures ... I love them all. Bet when you got home you found some tea and whatever to get completely thawed out and cosy.
Again, thank you for catching the beauty of this January snow as it deepened.
xo
I love the Flemish painting quality of the landscapes. I almost expect to see some brueghel-like hunters emerging from the copse!
ReplyDeleteLove the cow parsley and how fabulous to catch the hare. I've only ever seen one!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always. The chuch is lovely. It was nice of the farmer to have a fire for you to warm up by. :)
ReplyDeleteIncredible Gretel, love the light!
ReplyDelete"In a snow globe world of my own", I know exactly what you mean.
ReplyDeleteAnd that house would be perfect for a certain pair of illustrators.:)
Fabulous photos Gretel. Worthy of a calendar.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful walk you have taken me on, a beautiful scene, straight out of a book, maybe Dylan Thomas or better yet, the early chapters of Susan Coopers Dark is Rising. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a superbly delightful place in the world you live in. It's amazing scrolling down your blog how the scenery compels all the way down. I could only wish for walks like yours. Fantastic photos.
ReplyDelete"What will tomorrow bring?"
ReplyDeleteMore beautiful blogs from Gretel please.
Thank you so much for sharing. The Cotswolds are even more beautiful than I remember..... From a colder than average day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
ReplyDeletewonderful series of photos, I love the tree photos, and the rabbit and the hole through the bushes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Magical. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello Gretl, I came across your blog whilst searching for my mother whose name is also Gretl. I enjoyed your pastoral - thank you for that.So many great poets were and are walkers. Your own Thomas Hardy comes to mind. All the Best from yet another beautiful part of the world.
ReplyDelete