Mid-January

It’s nearly halfway through the first month of the year.  The time is moving scarily fast and whilst that would seem to be taking us to the Spring more quickly, I’m not so sure that it’s going to be quite like that this year.

Our UK winter has been horribly wet and mild, the wettest winter since records began, according to the Met Office and likely to be one of the mildest too.  But I have a feeling this is just the calm before the storm.  Already the temperature has dropped a couple of degrees this week and there has been snow forecast for the weekend.  In fact, there were even a few flakes falling whilst I was outside taking photos.

In the garden, however, the plants don’t seem to have heard about the forecast and that worries me.  They seem to be getting reading for spring as if some unseen alarm clock has gone off and told them that winter is over.

It’s quite right to be seeing snowdrops now ….

And even the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) …

but the catkins, daffodils, the other Hellebores in the garden – even the Clematis Armandii – are too early and I wonder what effect that will have on the plants for the rest of the year.

Still, it’s been a joy to see blue sky instead of the low blanket of grey that we’ve been living under for the last couple of months.

The dog and I were back at Orrell Water Park yesterday and we even saw the sun through the trees!  It gives you a spring in your step and gladdens the heart (even if you can’t see where you’re going sometimes and end up in the mud).

There’s been a lot of work done here over the winter to make sure that the streams are all free of debris and big enough to deal with the run-off from the farmer’s fields further up.  It’s a good example of one helping the other – the fish (and the fishermen) at the Water Park ponds benefit from the pools being kept well-filled with new water and the fields are not water-logged so that the new crops are free to grow.

We’ve met this little chap before.  He’s obviously not afraid of visitors – even ones with big snuffly dogs – and was happy to pose briefly before hopping off in search of something to eat.

With the turn in the weather, I’ve put my socks to one side for now to concentrate on a new project.  The mechanics at the garage who were fixing my brake pads are well-used to me knitting in their waiting room now as I’ve been doing it for years, although I wasn’t knitting one of the mechanics a jumper as he suggested – these are mittens.  Not just any old mittens, there’s something rather special about these and I’ll be showing you more this week.

Stay warm and dry!

You may also like...

8 Responses

  1. sustainablemum says:

    We have had snow for a week now, hope you get yours or perhaps you would rather not have snow? It's wonderful to see the blue sky tho isn't it, I have to admit the grey was starting to get to me. Intrigued by your new project………

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Oh, I LOVE the snow! I know it causes so many problems because we're not geared up for it in our country, but I just love it anyway! xx

  2. Amy at love made my home says:

    You certainly have lots growing in your garden. It is lovely to see blue sky isn't it, surprising how much more sun and blue sky we get when it gets colder isn't it, less cloud I suppose which of course cools things down. Hope that you are staying cosy! xx

  3. Lilly's Mom says:

    So sorry to hear about your wet winter. But, it's delightful to see the winter flowers in bloom. I'm sure you are getting antsy for spring to begin work in your beautiful garden. We had one storm system over a week ago but no more rains have appeared. We still need rain. My best to you, Pat xx

  4. Unknown says:

    Snowdrops…. I've missed them so (we don't get them in SA). Lovely blue sky and I'm intrigued about the mittens … can't wait to see them! xxx

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!