Winter cometh

Yes, indeed, anno and next time more Gransnetters should be able to join us. It was such a cheery occasion.

A dreary day in Manchester, but five G'netters and Greatnan's sister made it all bright and cheerful inside. Here's to the next time.

You too, I think, jess. Glad it's completed.

Jess

And DS1 has completed his big drive. He is hugely relieved it seems from text.

Candles, coloured scarves and rosehips. Doesn't take much to brighten up a midwinter's day............ and adding a bit of to brighten up our soop's day.

Love that blackthorn picture, jess! One of my all time favourite shrubs is blackthorn, with its early flowers before the leaves open.

DD has been leaving for school in darkness and getting home in darkness for the last week or two. Two more days before the hols. Then the days will be lengthening gradually when they go back.

The scarf is from our soop. It was the colours being just so that made me guess. I think I will let her tell her own story when she is ready. You are sunshine on a dark day, soop

That sounds lovely bags
It is raining here now too and got dark at 3.30.
Forecast for the rest of the week is rather mild and mostly wet round here.
But I managed to get out for a brisk 20 minutes lunchtime:

Blackthorn hedge
Dark grey day
Young twigs: dark chocolate
Last year's: dusty green
Old wood: gnarled with grey and golden lichens
A single splatter of scarlet dog rose hips

Between the overnight minimum temperature
To the daytime max today,
There has been a difference
of less than one degree.
Cold slanting rain and stiff breeze with no sun
Can do that,
Especially in midwinter,
Up north.
But a surprise gift of a special scarf
In soft, warm colours,
Glowed up the whole day.

No sign yet. Maybe Feb/March, I hope!

Have you seen your mistle thrush this winter yet, butty?

I love the Winter Solstice - candles at the ready.......

Not til Friday though!

And the end of the world is nigh

Umbrellas and wellies
Not cold yet,
Just
Wet
Bereft of colour
Of weave and weft
Just
Damp
Grey chill
That stays still
Of light.
Winter Solstice
Amost here
So light a candle
To bring some cheer.

I think that verse is lovely.

Not so keen on Howjado's rat though. I had to fish one out of our pond once. Nasty.

Thank you, brromsticks. No, I don't write poetry for publication. It's kind of you to say I could

Bags, you seriously are a poet. That's lovely. Just simple and a beautiful image. Do you write poetry for publication or anthologies or anything?

I'm cheerful today. It's a new world of sunshine and bright green grass now the mist has blown away.

Raindrops on the silver birch
Looking like jewels in the early sun.
Silver, as expected, but also,
Unexpected,
Copper twinkles.

Still, horrible freezing fog and hidden black ice on all the paths

I'm bloody cold

I'M NOT FEEDING THE BIRDS. I thought I was, but no. I looked out off my bedroom window this morning and saw a grey furry thing squirming about INSIDE my squirrel proof bird feeder. I stood in amazment as a large rat emerged from the cage, calmly descended the pole and disappeared into the shrubbery!

Mair snaw!
Cannae see th' ither side o' the loch!

I have a beautiful pyracantha which has been stripped bare by blackbirds. I don't begrudge them a single beak full.

In the last week blackbirds and thrushes have completely stripped the bright red berries from 2 large cotoneaster bushes in my gardens.Very entertaining to watch them swooping down and scrabbling amongst the branche.s