I’m working from home today because of the snow. They forecast 40cm in the South East of England. 40cm. Can you imagine? Of course we haven’t got 40cm of snow, perhaps half that, but we have enough: lots in fact. And snow of the right kind – it’s fluffy, crispy, crunchy snow. Snow that makes you want to lie down in it to see what sort of shape you make. Snow that makes you want to trudge about so that you can see your footprints, and then immediately regret it because you’ve spoilt its deep, white glory. Yup, we have snow on and between the hills.
It’s taken me until lunchtime to be intrepid enough to go put out the rubbish. The bin men haven’t been for a fortnight so there is a thick layer of bitingly cold snow on top of the wheelie bins and the recycle baskets. Adding another empty bottle of champagne to the already overflowing basket is oddly satisfying, even though the Christmas and New Year festivities are definitely over. I trudge to the garage stepping in the footsteps of the abominable snowman, or he-who-was-determined-to-go-to-work-this-morning. Probably the latter but I do a good abominable impression as I stride about. Empty boxes for the Christmas tree and decorations get dutifully brought in to pack away Christmas just past. My hands are stinging from the cold.
Even so, I’m oddly relaxed at this rather impractical weather. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been unusually productive and creative today, or because it’s so utterly beautiful and I don’t have a compelling reason to brave the roads. The big house in the distance looks so hopelessly romantic that I could be one of the Bennett sisters setting out on an impossible hike across the countryside. The trees are all impersonating Christmas cards, and the garden looks like someone has been out to spread glistening white icing all over it. Edible indeed!
I doubt this optimistic view of everything will last. The overnight temperatures for the next couple of days are forecast to be low, low, low which means icy, icy roads. Not the sort of thing I am good at. Still, no point worrying about tomorrow when there are more leftovers in the fridge, and a warm, quiet flat to work in.
I’ll pack the tree away later – it looks just too pretty against the snow-filled window.
Tags: snow
