After a short Christmas break, I returned to a frozen Priory.
Icy, sparkling,
frosted, prickly.
The valley softened by cloudy breath (if you’ll allow me a little purple prose)
and the ponds frozen hard.
As I crunched about the grounds, I pictured a favourite childhood book – the marvelous Ladybird ‘What to look for in Winter’. Only I had no herons, the ducks have fled and sadly Bewick swans don’t visit here. Oh, and there was no snow. But otherwise ….
My fingers burned grasping a cold metal tripod. Maybe some gloves, David?
The west pond leaks. Full with recent rain, it froze and then leaked a little. Hence this ice-tonsure. Friends from the village asked if they could throw ice about. It is satisfying (no, really) to send ice-shards skittering across the glass surface. Accompanied by an occasional and startling gun-shot as the water level falls a little more and the ice loudly cracks.
Ice skimming done and exhausted by chatting, I hunched over my needy bonfire and alone once more watched a tall, white column of smoke rise against the airless, blue sky.
It has been a fine, bright day. Happy New Year.
Stunning. We were treated to some fabulously frosty and clear days over Christmas. I love that Ladybird book. I’ve got a growing collection of old gardening/nature books. I bought some of the Observer books in a second hand bookshop in Lyme Regis on New Year’s Day. Is 7th January too late to wish you a Happy New Year? May 2015 be a fabulous year for you and your family. Lou x
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Hi Lou, I’ve got quite a collection of gardening and natural history books too (including Observer books). Far too many actually. And how’s this for anorak? In my wallet is a list of all the Observers I have so that when I go into a second hand book or charity shop, I’m sure to only buy ones I haven’t got. Sadly, my Ladybird collection is so big, a list wouldn’t fit in my wallet. And not at all too late for wishing me a HNY – I hope 2015 brings you further success with writing. Dave x
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I love that you have that list. I don’t live too far from Hay on Wye so there’s plenty of temptation for second hand gardening books. I don’t have many Ladybird books though so they’re on my wish list for this year. Lou
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Fabulous photos .
I still have that same Ladybird book, and it made a big impression on me as a child !
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It is a lovely book. I’ll see whether I can’t weave What to look for in Spring, Summer and Autumn into future posts. D
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Your winter pictures of the gardens look if anything prettier than the summer ones. A frosty, iced garden is a a true beauty. Shame about you iced fingers. Amelia
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Thanks Amelia. I don’t often use a tripod but it does allow good depth of field. D
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A lovely winter post Dave – wishing a wonderful and successful gardening year for 2015.
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Thanks Elaine and to you. D
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What a magical winter wonderland, beautiful photos as ever Dave. I do miss frosty days, thank you for sharing yours – and ice skimming sounds a lot of fun.
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All the ice has gone now, Janet but do come ice skimming next time. D
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Lovely photos all, the gift of winter’s frosted beauty makes up for the frozen fingers!
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Thank you for these photos David. Takes this heat struck, sweaty SE Queenslander to a happier place. For all the 2014 articles, thanks also. Happy New Year.
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It looks serene, Dave. Maybe, if things are going right, you don’t have too much to do! Slow time is good.
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Hi Faisal, slow time is good but my feet do get cold. D
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I have enjoyed your posts and especially your photographs over the past year. There is something special about photographing everything covered in ice or hard frost. I look forward to another year at The Priory. Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Thanks Annette. I’m rather looking forward to some snow this year – there was none last year. D
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Happy New Year, thank you for wonderfully interesting blogs. Very atmospheric pictures, my favourite time of year.
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Hello! I just started subscribing to your blog and this is the first one I received! Beautiful! Happy New Year!
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Thanks Sheri.
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Beautiful images David and Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Dave. Looking forward to gardening on 2015 ” the Year of the Giant Echium”…..perhaps?
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I’m going to give up, I’m afraid Janet. One of the things I was burning were my frosted echiums. I might try growing them in my other garden which is considerably warmer than the Priory. D
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Happy New Year from down here in the heat…
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I remember heat. Vaguely. D
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Happy New Year, Dave! What a beautiful post to celebrate.
(Gloves are such a pain when trying to take photos. You put them on, you take them off. Over and over and over. If I were ever the kind of photographer who deserved a tripod, I think I’d move to the Bahamas.)
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Yep. I did try gloves but threw them to the ground in disgust. It was only -4 which I know is lightweight by some standards but it still felt jolly cold for Sussex. Dave
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Happy New Year! And rather fine but chilly photos…I felt that tripod through you!
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Thanks for this year of your posts. Looking forward to another. Happy New Year!
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Well your place of work beats a desk any day. Fabulous pictures.
Happy New Year David.
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I love the icy globe-thistles and cat-tails….
so crisp, so monochromatic…
and then, the robin (!)
(quite different from his American counterpart)
so colorful against his drab backdrop.
Happy New Year!
..Jan
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Thanks Jan. Hope you’re prepared for the C2C!? D
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Yup. Will be there for the c2c in May. I am very much looking forward to it,
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What a beautiful set of pics , Dave. Fabulous evocation of atmosphere. I’d forgive your “cloudy breath” but not your “airless blue sky”. Nevertheless a very Happy New Year!
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Damn. I thought I could slip in a little more PP without anyone noticing. Trust you to pick me up on it! Happy New Year. Dave
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Favourite Ladybird book of mine too. That cover is supremely evocative (if slightly overpopulated).
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Yes it is a bit crammed. I’ve built up quite a collection of Ladybirds over the years but this does remain a favourite. D
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Lovely pictures, Happy New Year to you as well.
Take care and happy blogging to ya…
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