A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Tuesday 21 December 2010

A Walk At The Beginning Of Winter

Just when we thought it couldn't get any colder ... Last night the temperature dropped to -18 deg C in parts of the English Midlands with 15 cm of snow predicted for this evening. Tonight parts of the North may reach -20 deg C. And winter didn't even officially begin until today! Also, early this morning, there was a full lunar eclipse. (This hasn't happened on the winter solstice since 21 Dec 1638.)
    

Today I went through a secret door ...



... into a magical landscape of hoar-frosted trees ...



The earth was frozen, so the going was easy along the field paths, and satisfyingly crunchy underfoot ...



I met one other soul walking her dog ...



Apart from her, the village lane was empty ...



A weak, slanting sun gloriously illuminated this tree ...



If what I say resonates with you, it is merely because we are both branches on the same tree. WB YEATS

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I've just been digging paths through the five or six inches of snow here. No time for country walks for me until after Christmas, although the snow means I am walking rather than cycling, driving or bussing around the city.

Andy

Grace said...

Looks like it was a lovely winter walk. Just getting lots of wind and rain where I live--not great walking conditions.

I don't think I've read that quote from WB Yeats before--I'll have to remember it. Happy Holidays to you!

George said...

A beautiful walk, Robert, and, yes, we are branches of the same tree. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

What a frosty fantasy-land! It must have felt truly 'other-worldly' on that walk. I could hear the satisfying crunch!

I believe Yeats statement with all my heart: that "we are both (all) branches on the same tree" - that what happens to you, on some level, touches me - that we are cells in the same cosmic body, all working together to sustain the system.

Rachel Fox said...

We had a great view of the eclipse from our bedroom window this morning! It was amazing.
x

TrevorW�� said...

I just love that photo of the 'Secret Door'.

Have a very good Christmas and I hope that 2011 is everything that you would wish it to be.

Trevor

Ruth said...

The ice and hoar frost is glorious to behold (even though I always feel sorry for the trees). That crunch really is satisfying. I went to Lake Michigan yesterday, but it wasn't cold enough to crunch.

I was just reading an old poem of mine about my son leaving home. Rooted I stay . . . like a twig he goes -- yes, the same tree we are, all of us.

(Didn't mean to keep talking about me . . .)

The Solitary Walker said...

Andy -walking is good

Grace - happy holidays to you as well

George - yes, it was lovely, I'm lucky to live in this village

Bonnie - I believe that too

Rachel - didn't see the eclipse, though wasn't actually looking. Think you had better sighting in Scotland. There was a really funny atmosphere last night, though - which I've experienced before during other eclipses

Trevor - best wishes to you also, Trevor

Ruth - believe me, the trees love it, no need to feel sorry for them!

Kiwi Nomad said...

Oh. My. Goodness. That landscape looks so very cold, but those trees look incredibly beautiful covered in the frost.

Phoenix C. said...

These photos are so beautiful. I love the secret door. Reminds me of so many of my favourite adventures read during childhood and re-read often since!

There was an amazing atmosphere here too last night - a sort of anticipation.

We are currently a mere minus 3 degrees!

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, cold but beautiful, Kiwi.

Phoenix - indeed! Doorways, gateways, portals - back into childhood, forward into the unknown. Thinking 'Famous Five', 'The Secret Garden' ... and perhaps 'The Wind in the Wilows'? ;)

Arija said...

For me, a walk like that would be sheer bliss. Thank you for posting all those wonderful pictures, I am starved for ice and snow at this time of year.
Even in mainly hot Australia we have been having a surprisingly wet and cold start to our summer.
After 60 years in this country, it still feels wrong to have Christmas in summer.
Your frosted landscapes fill me with delight.

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks, Arija, for your visit to my blog and for your lovely comments.

ksam said...

Where is that door?? It's wonderful. THe pics were really spectacular...I so wish we'd get some snow..just flurries...which are lovely as the carpenter is installing my new windows! (which were ordered when it was 75F!!)

Ruth...that line about your son was wonderful...Thanks for sharing.

The Solitary Walker said...

False answer: in my mind.
Real answer: in the village.
Snowing here at the moment (9.30 am UK time).