Winter #OneWeek

This Winter will be remembered for the storms. We count ourselves very lucky that our damage has been minor compared to many. We just lost a fence. This is POD peering through it the week before it came down.

POD would have loved to play in the snow and build a snowman but we’ve not seen a flake! We’ve barely had any frost either – weirdly I captured this mossy clump and a ladybird in the same week!

This Winter has very much been about dodging the rain clouds in the quest for country air. I’ve loved photographing rain drops though it must be said!

After capturing what was a wonderful Autumn, the early part of the Winter saw us take a short trip to Bruges. We traveled on Eurotunnel so we could drive from Calais. Bruges is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings and cobbled streets with Christmas markets offering the likes of Bratwurst and of course Glühwein.

We also got to see the Snow and Ice sculpture festival based on Disney’s film Frozen while we were there. Amazing but very cold at -6 degrees!

Back in the UK there were interesting festive displays

and lots of outdoor fun to be had. POD loved mucking around on this visit to Wisley!

At Claremont, there were many giggles in the aptly named ‘Ha-ha’ when we embarked on the Twelve days of Christmas trail!

Having previously discovered the follies of Painshill Park, we were back to see Father Christmas in the crystal grotto. POD had not seen the big man before so it was a great introduction.

POD has loved all the muddy puddles this Winter. The photograph below was taken at Alice Holt, a local forest where the sun made an appearance shortly after we arrived.

We’ve explored varied landscapes too, like the Majestic Commons which had some of the oldest trees I’ve ever seen. We had to make a run for it when the heavens opened!

We’ve seen trees down too which is sad to see. The bollards in the background of this photograph from our visit to Bookham Commons a stark reminder.

When time was short, we’ve been lucky there is so much nearby – like Clandon Park. This is POD relaxing having completed the Wildlife Fact Finding Trail there.

Events such as the Butterflies in The Glasshouse at Wisley made you forget it was Winter with its tropical temperatures.

But the rain was never far away! You’d never know from this photograph how much rain we saw on our visit to Bocketts Farm although we were safely inside stroking animals then!

When the sun has appeared, we’ve darted out of the house at great speed to make the most of it. Abinger Roughs was a great walk with POD enjoying many a puddle – another time we reached the car just in time!

On occasions Winter has been like Spring. This photograph of the boathouse at Winkworth Arboretum was taken last month. It was glorious – we even saw snowdrops and daffodils!

So Winter for us has been about making the most of the outdoors in an attempt to blow away those cobwebs. Although there were weekends when it was impossible to do anything, we’ve managed to make the most of it.

We’re linking this Winter post up with Older Mum for seasonal linky #OneWeek and #PoCoLo at Verily Victoria Vocalises.