Where Did Winter Go?

Sitting in the dentist’s waiting room the other day, talk turned to the weather.  We’ve had no snow this year at all, with the exception of a dusting for about an hour and most of us were quite optimistic the situation would continue.

However, one man interrupted and said Glenshee Skiing Centre (40 minutes drive north through the beautiful Grampian mountains) had had its best skiing season since the business opened in 1961.  He’d worked there for many years and the snow was nearly as high as the telegraph poles.  The ski lifts had to be closed for a few days in order to manually dig out enough space for the blowers to gain access to the cables.

Other parts of the UK have suffered horrendously with flooding and storms, but we’ve been extremely fortunate this year and had only a handful of days - and nights - when the temperature hit zero.

Hopefully this ‘mellow’ weather will continue all year.  So much golf going on this year with the Junior Ryder Cup being played at Blairgowrie Golf Club and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles too, plus again Perthshire will host the week for the mixed foursomes.

I’ll post later with the dates of these events.

A New Year and Winter

library picture

It's too long since I posted and for that I apologise.  Early winter brought the cold virus into the house and my cold developed into pneumonia.  Three courses of antibiotics later I was back on form but I still didn't have any voice.  That had vanished when the cold started.

However, much to many people's dismay, the voice returned before Christmas and I was able to take part in the fun.

In November we had quite a fall of snow which took a couple of weeks to clear, but over the festive season the weather was pleasant and everyone was able to get out and about with no problem.

Last year was also a reasonable winter and I wonder if it's because I bought winter tyres then.  What a difference they make on icy and slushy roads.  Now I wouldn't be without then because they give me so much confidence driving in bad weather.

Part of my 'chores' this winter was to update my website and I hope to have it up online very soon.  Will let you know when it's active.

Meanwhile, rather belatedly, I wish you and yours good health and peace for 2013.

Still Very Cold

WINTER CONTINUES

The winter weather is not easing. Not too much more snow but temperatures never rise above freezing any day and at night it's well below.

The house is lovely and warm though and the new boiler makes such a difference.

My normal outdoor activities have been curtailed and I am only going out when completely necessary. As I haven't used my car much the battery was flat when I attempted to go to town on Friday! Fortunately the local garage came, took the car and put the battery on a slow charge and returned it to me on Saturday evening.

I hope wherever you are you're keeping warm.

A Happy New Year for 2010

This is the view outside the front door around midday on Hogmanay. It looks lovely but the fresh snow covers hard-packed ice.

We've cancelled our plans to go to a party and are going to keep safe and warm in the house. There's not much point in driving in weather like this if you can avoid it and the council staff are still on holiday so, with the exception of the main roads, walking is treacherous.

I've ordered a pair of pull-on cramptons for my boots as I find it hard to balance on the ice. Maybe once they arrive I'll feel more confident getting out and about.

Happy New Year!