Wednesday 6 January 2010

Winter's Wonderland



What a mixed start to the new decade we've had. January for us began, not as the expected bleak midwinter, but as a beautiful clear night in our friends' home overlooking the sea, watching fireworks from the beach and Chinese Lanterns filled with New Year's resolutions floating upwards into the ether.



The first few days of our New Year were crisp and bright. The kind of weather that beckons you from the sofa to pile on those extra woolly layers and venture out into the winter sunshine. Long walks to clear the head, unfurl from your Christmas hibernation and to take strides, great strides, into the fresh year ahead.



The winter's sunshine can be as dazzling as that of summer and, unlike the haze of summer which often bleaches the colour, these rays only seemed to intensify the gorgeous hues of our wintry backdrop.



Majestic trees loomed high against a bluebell coloured sky



The romantic greens of moss and ivy entwined along an old flint wall



A village church that has stood for years and years witnessing many a new decade and century, looking idyllic in its setting



Yet January has more than one side, I awoke this morning to a monotone landscape - all colour leached from it by the falling snow. A silence falling steadfastly across the greys.



As beautiful and as inspiring as its technicolour version just a few days ago. For me it is a chance to love the unpredicatable, a chance to breath out all that has gone before and embrace all that is to come.

20 comments:

Sal said...

Lovely photos, Kim!
I love the little village church!
Hope you are keeping safe and warm ;-)
xxx

Pussycats and Angels said...

Happy New Year to you.
Love your wonderful photo's....
Loving the snow, but I know for some people it's a real problem.... Luckily I can walk to work and the shops..... Most of the time the South Down's protect us, but not this time....
Keep warm and safe
Best Wishes
Julie

Rubyred said...

Hello Kim,
What a beautiful description of January's weather so far!
Keep warm and cozy!
Rachel x

Willow said...

Normally a very "anti-January" person, I too, have looked at the winter with fresh eyes the last few days! Some beautiful scenes - Narnia-like, some folks have said, and it's true!

But - I'm ready for a bit of a thaw now, so life can get back to normal!

Willow x

Petit Filoux said...

Those photos are really lovely! x

Lisa said...

I really love that photo of 'January', so very apt for just now! Is it from a vintage calendar?
Lovely blue sky in your walk!
Lisa x

Emily said...

Wonderful pictures! Happy New Year to you :)

Thimbleanna said...

Happy New Year Ms. Kim! Your pictures are really beautiful!

bellaboo said...

Love your poetic posts...beautiful photos too!Enjoying being at home,keeping warm,and reading all the lovely blogs.

Bellaboo

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What beautiful scenery you have, regardless of the color of the sky! I hope you all had a beautiful New Year and that you enjoy a wonderful January!

Unknown said...

Thank-you for sharing some of your green... we need it over here.

Charming church and love the vines.

Maria said...

Something I really love about your blog and that just shines through on this one - you seem to have poetry about your writing. Feels very peaceful.

Bloomsbury Bell said...

Lovely pictures - thanks for sharing! I love crisp, clear winter days.
Happy New Year!

Emma Herian said...

Beautiful pics again me dear - Happy New Ears! tee hee xxxxx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

This will be a winter to remember.. a proper winter.. as it should be.. cold and crisp and defining..
Wish I was on that sledge whizzing down in to town.. it is by far the way to travel and so much quicker than on foot..

DXX

Hollace said...

I especially love that last photo; so symbolic of winter.

Sara said...

Lovely post and lovely words. Exactly captures this bitterly cold month! x

Rowan said...

Lovely photos Kim - Happy New Year to you. I've almost forgotten what green fields look like, we have had snow on the ground here since the weekend before Christmas and there's no sign of it going yet.

Betty said...

Just stopping by to wish you a belated Happy New Year! As always...your pictures are beautiful!

A time to dance said...

it seems so strange to see so much blue and green when it is so grey and white here...lovely pictures..happy new year...H