I’ve heard and seen a woodpecker! I know it’s not the official sign that Spring is waiting just around the corner, but it’s worked for me each year! And this year it’s two weeks early!
We have had a mild winter despite the dire warnings in November that we were moving into a period of extreme weather. Not one to cast aspersions on the experts but our weather forecasts are seldom accurate, especially the longer term ones (greater than one day!). Not having to work and knowing that my husband would be retiring around the end of January I was looking forward to sitting next to a roaring fire. I would watch the snow falling without the stress of having to get up our hill early the next morning. The younger generation always waited for us to clear a path for their four wheeled drives and would then follow on behind us! I am not being ageist. This has been a proven fact for the last seventeen years!
So, alas, we have not had the promised snow and minus temperatures but an extremely mild winter. All the bugs we hoped would get wiped out are alive and well! The slugs, snails and mosquitoes are just waiting to escape their cozy hibernation to terrorise me and my garden when the days grow longer and brighter.
I went for a walk with a friend yesterday. We reminded ourselves that it was only the middle of February and the snow drops and daffodils on higher ground were all in full bloom. We even have a red currant tree in our garden that we should have pruned in autumn which is now already covered in blossoms. As the ‘glass half empty’ person, I reminded my friend that it’s still not too late for the arctic weather to arrive and wipe out these early signs of spring!
It was March a few years ago that I left the office early one Friday afternoon. We were having new carpets laid and needed to get all the desks and computers out in time for the fitters to arrive at 5:00 pm. I decided to do the weekly grocery shopping as the predicted bad weather hadn’t arrived. I left my briefcase in the boot of the car together with my mobile phone.
The first flakes of snow were falling as I loaded the car and set off home. I crossed the motorway, and headed up into the countryside. The snow had begun to fall think and fast in huge flakes and I was finding it difficult to see my way along the narrow country roads. As I reached the top of a small hill I noticed a number of cars had stopped, their bright red break lights etched against the now black sky.
I slowed down then tried to stop. My car carried on sliding. I could feel my heart pounding and, with eyes the size of saucers, waited for the inevitable thud as I crashed into the car in front. I was lucky. I slid to a halt inches away from its bumper. I opened my window as a man came over to my car. ‘You’ll never get down that hill! My Range Rover has stuck half way. Best to turn around and head back onto the motorway. All the back roads will be shut’.
I retrieved my mobile phone from the boot of the car and noticed about ten missed calls from my husband. He had been warning me for the last few hours to get home!
I did eventually! Many hours later. I had to dump my car in the village and walk home, in my once beautiful suede boots! Carrying my briefcase and struggling through many inches of snow in high heels was no mean feat! The groceries were fine! They froze overnight!
That is why we aren’t out of the winter woods yet! From that day to this I carry my phone with me wherever I go! I am always contactable no matter where I am or what I am doing! So, I still might be able to sit next to a roaring fire watching snow flakes falling gently outside. I won’t stress that I have to get up early the next morning to clear the hill! This challenge will now be left to the young ones! The exercise will do them good!👠
Jenny Burrell 