Lister, the listing snowman, lists no more.

Well, as predicted, the snow came and come it did with a vengeance. As per usual, for a country unable to cope with even the slightest flurry, everything came to a halt. I found walking to work quite relaxing and watching the sun come up over snow covered fields very beautiful. Considering we are entering the embrace of impending Imbolc, I thought it fitting that Mother should clothe the countryside in white and make everyone stop and become aware of her power and presence.

Kate, Tree and I went for a walk in the dark one night down onto Pitchcroft Racecourse and were amused at how many snowmen had been created. They all seemed to face the same way and appeared to be following you with their eyes. I took time to make a smal lone in the back garden and we named him Lister, due to the slant he adopted right from the start. As days went on he listed further and further, his nose nearing the ground inch by inch. Eventually gravity got the better of him and he took a graceful nosedive into the ground and was seen no more.

And so it was and so it remains.

Undecided as to how to celebrate the New Year, Tree, Katie and I set off for a visit to The Rollrights to ground ourselves. The weather was lovely and bright with a cool crisp westerly breeze and as we drove over Snowshill, so aptly named, we couldn't feel more a part of the elements if we tried. The small hut that was destroyed last year has not been rebuilt and whilst this leaves the stones unprotected it also means that one gains more privacy. I always find a walk around the stones a great leveller as it reminds me how brief a time we have on Mother Earth when compared to the age of the circle, for instance. This makes me even more determined to act on the instant rather than drift in indecision.

I hear that snow is forecast for later in the next week and that promises a wonderful walk in natures blanket while all about dims into a soft silence.

New Years Day moonlight.

Just a quick one, to wish those celebrating it, a Happy New Year ! I was awake at 4 O'clock this morning and was stunned at how bright it was. As this photo shows, it was actually moonlight that was lighting up the garden. I have never seen it so bright in my life. Surely a record or something !!