Although we haven’t had any more snow, despite having some heavy rain, the snow that fell over a week ago is still sticking around.
It’s no longer the fluffy wet stuff as below-zero temperatures have changed, what was left of the snow, to ice. It wasn’t the best of weather for celebrating two birthdays. Martyn’s birthday was on Tuesday and Ruby’s on Wednesday. Ruby was five years old and Martyn was – a lot older.
A visit to the allotment was pointless, as a pickaxe would be required to harvest any leeks or parsnips.
There is a patchwork of white and green, but even the green areas crunch underfoot.
The ratio of green to white varies. The local, park above had proportionally more crunchy green than Nostell below.
Much of the water at Nostell was frozen.
Ice rings encircled the trees where a winter lake had formed.
The waterfall which links the upper and lower lakes was still flowing so it managed to keep some parts of the lake ice-free.
The upper lake is in the garden area where, unfortunately, Ruby isn’t allowed so it doesn’t feature in my blog. Nostell is classed as a dog-friendly venue but most other dog-friendly National Trust properties that we visit allow dogs in the gardens, even ones that are far more formally laid out than Nostell. It’s a bone of contention with me as we aren’t being allowed the full benefit of our NT membership as we don’t visit without Ruby.
Although we have to take care when walking, Ruby dashes about with no problem. The snow is a novelty for her, to be sniffed and investigated.
The frozen heaps of snow were a curiosity that she seemed to be asking us to explain.
She was particularly interested in the remnants of a huge snowman.
The look seems to say, “Have you seen this?”
Although much of the lake is frozen The birds have some areas where they can swim and forage.
They always flock over to us when they spot that we have food.
One of the juvenile swans and an adult defend their patch of food aggressively.
Once the bag of food is empty we have to make a hasty retreat, as the more feisty swans are never satisfied that we have given them enough.
I’ve been very lax when it comes to photographing last week’s meals.
I used some of our onions to make some turkey meatballs in a tomato sauce and served with tagliatelle.
More of our onions and squash were used in a curry which was served with homemade plain and peshwari naans.
Then I remembered to take a photo – albeit not a very good one – of the chicken casserole which included our carrots, garlic and shallots.
That’s all for this week. Until next time as always, stay safe, stay well and stay warm
