Sunday, January 1, 2017

01/01/2017 Happy New Year

Maximum temperature 9C, minimum -1C. 22 km/h SW wind.  1mm rain.

My apologies for lack of photos. The cold and damp UK weather badly affected my lungs and I spent Christmas in bed feeling dreadful.  Shortly afterwards, both Nigel and FIL went down with heavy colds, and although we are all on the road to recovery, I am still coughing.

We had a very cold (well below zero!) drive home, with mists most of the way.  On arrival, we both slept for about 13 hours and we are still recuperating from the two day journey.
29/12/16 At the beginning of our drive, the sun rising over Salisbury Plain ...

and the car satnav screen is showing that it is just -6C!!

Strange light and misty patches through southern England as we drive on towards the Chunnel

The sun glare through the mist produced some interesting effects.

Back in northern France, where stayed overnight....

in Rouen.  The wonder wheel where children seemed to be having fun, despite the cold that bit into us.

A man made rink close to our hotel.

30/12/16 Heavy mists with the trees full of ice as we head home the next morning... 

as above...

as above...

and nearing home the sun gives a bit of colour to the frosty photos.

I am amazed though back home, today we still have a little colour in the winter garden. Hellebore above...

Calendula...

The roses are still surviving though it seems the weather here was much milder than the UK...

as above...

as above.

It might take me some time to get back up to speed but I will take photos and post when I can.  I will be trying meanwhile to catch up with My Life in the Charente.

11 comments:

  1. Diane, I absolutely love your winter photos!!! I do love the winter and am enjoying it here in Montreal, too! And your winter garden is so beautiful and amazing!

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    1. Linda sadly we both hate winter, so although beautiful to look at we do not really appreciate it. We lived for far too long in a warm country and any temperatures under 20C is far too cold for us!! I am amazed that there are still flowers in the garden but I do appreciate the beauty of them. Take care and all the best for 2017 Diane

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  2. It actually looks like a beautiful drive and except for the bitter cold the frosted trees show a winter wonderland. How long is the Chunnel drive. Amazing to still see your flowers but then the cottonwood outside my window still has leaves. I think it's the only one in the neighborhood that does. Hope you can relax and beat this bug. Welcome home.

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    1. Hi Gaelyn, one does not actually drive through the chunnel. All the cars (with everyone still sitting in them) are loaded onto trains. It all takes time even with bookings and especially when it is extra busy like New Year. Our train was running an hour late and the actual crossing is 35 minutes. Ferry crossing is about an hour but we steer clear of them in winter as you never know if they will run if the weather is bad. I prefer the ferry as I do not like being closed in, but I put up with it rather than being stranded!
      I am on the mend but N seems to have gone back down hill again so I hope he gets over it all quickly.Have a great 2017 Diane

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  3. Sorry to hear you all got sick. Nothing worse when travelling. The weather looks awful even though it makes pretty pictures. When I see the cold, misty, frosty weather I am glad that I live in Queensland.

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    1. Diane it is weather like this that makes us miss Africa so much. Brisbane to me was always the perfect place in Australia, if we had of ever moved there, which was a though at once stage of our lives, Brisbane was pretty certain to be where we would have headed. Hope all is well and we wis you both all the best for 2017. T'other Diane

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  4. Sounds like you and I had the same ailment. Get well soon! Happy New Year to you and yours.

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    1. Think the bug is doing the rounds but we always get one when in the UK!!!! Hope you are now feeling better.

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  5. Happy New Year, Diane! So sorry you were sick during Christmas! It seems over here that th respiratory stuff and been tougher than usual! Hoping you and Nigel are soon 100%! Being home and getting rest will speed the recovery I'm sure!

    Lovely, lovely winter photos! Always enjoy seeing what you have been doing!

    Blessings and hugs, Doniene

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    1. England seems to be the worst place we can be in winter, every year we are ill!! It does sound like there is a lot of things about this year though!! :-( Take care Diane

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  6. Welcome home! And Happy New Year to you both. So sorry to read that you are unwell. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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