New Year’s Day was dull and grey. The next we awoke to a world changed. Overnight snow is the joy of winter. By some standards, it was a modest covering but sufficient to raise me from my lockdown position in front of several PC screens. If we must have winter, if I am unable to ride a motorcycle, if I cannot swing a golf club, then let’s at least have it pretty.
It is around this time of year I get itchy feet and plot escapes north, always by rail – Inverness, Wick, Kyle of Lochalsh and Bodø/Lofoten have been my destinations over successive years, although only the latter yielded the white stuff. This year, inevitably, I am going nowhere – locked up, locked down, call it what you will, I am told we are in Tier 4. News channels can speculate, offer opinions, call in experts, exhort, criticise and alarm – just don’t assume I am listening. I am out of reach and much the happier:
Crossing the Birkey Burn
Between Beaufront and Acomb
Hexham and Egger from Salmons Well Farm
Egger from north of Oakwood
The sheep get up and make their many tracks
And bear a load of snow upon their backs
John Clare – Sheep in Winter
The Victorian postbox at Sandhoe
Today I walked down the street I use to wander
Yeah, shook my head and made myself a bet
There was all these things that I don’t think I remember
Hey, how lucky can one man get.
northumbrian : light 
Some good snowscapes, Robin!
Many thanks Sue – I still take a childish delight in all this 🙂
Looks pretty! We had a few thin flurries, and they left a sprinkle only.
Thanks Pit – yes, very nice to see.
🙂
What great shots, Robin. Am in love with the tractor racks and distant steam. Happy New year to you and Pam. Not listening is a good ploy. Heard a South African former supreme court judge on UTube yesterday expound on the greater the compliance the more strident becomes authority. Hm. Clearly that’s not what we’re seeing (!***)
Many thanks, Tish and a very happy New Year to you and yours.
We have been here so many times before and learned nothing. I am always reminded of the introduction to Scared to Death – from Salmonella in eggs to BSE etc, published in 2007:
It analyzes the crucial role played in each case by scientists who have misread or manipulated the evidence; by the media and lobbyists who eagerly promote the scare without regard to the facts (or consequences); and finally by the politicians who come up with an absurdly disproportionate response, leaving us all with a colossal price to pay, which may run into billions or even hundreds of billions of pounds.
Just substitute billions for trillions in 2020-21.
All the best, R
You echo my thoughts. None of this is about actual public health care now. KBO!
Gorgeous photos, Robin.
Many thank, Jean and all the best for 2021
Hope you get back into bad company soon. Happy New Year
An excellent place to be in forced isolation!
It is, we are very fortunate
Beautiful! Every time I see shots like this of snow, I miss it. Not listening? A good solution. I try not to read too much either…news, not books. The latter I read voraciously.
janet
Thanks Janet – yes, selective reading is the best way to escape the madness.
All the best for 2021, R
It may not be your beloved Norway, but there are certainly worse places to be locked down in.
Good for you for ignoring the media. Enjoy your serenity. 🙂
Thanks Julie – that’s certainly true, we are very lucky living here. Without too much effort, we can simply ignore/forget that lockdowns even exist. Hope you are finding serenity too, all the best, R