Monday 29 December 2008

Baby it's cold outside!



We emerged from our Christmas cocoon on Saturday. Tentatively we put our heads outside the door. There was nothing gentle and hesitant about the weather though. From inside our little nest of chocolate, open fires, board games and DVDs the world outside seemed bright and inviting. A much needed walk to blow away the cobwebs was required.



So up to the Downs we went. Wrapped up warm against the elements. What a shock it was for us having been basking at home with the thermostat up high and a constant supply of carbohydrates to keep us warm. I have NEVER been so cold! The sort of cold that hurts your head, that brings tears to your eyes, and wish you had added a balaclava to your Christmas wish list.



We followed the path that was thick with frost, crunching crisp underfoot as we walked down into the valley to find some shelter from the piercing cold. Not only was it cold but it was slippery and it wasn't long before my whimpering grew louder.



My vision was now obscured almost completely by my hat which I had pulled down over my face to keep me warm and my feet were doing their best Bambi impressions as they slipped over the icy ground.



It wasn't long before us Roses were all moaning about the loss of feeling in our hands, feet, faces and Mr Roses was wondering at the joys of coming out for a Christmas walk with us lightweights ...



We reached the sheltered, wooded path that led us down to the village and all was right with the world. The warmth of the winter sun hit us, its rays streamed through the branches, and the birds sang high up on the sunny branches. Instantly I forgot the cold, I began to smile, the conversation flowed as we followed the sun.



It was good to feel part of an outside world again, nodding hello to passers by as they headed off in the opposite direction away from the sun and into the piercing cold.

30 comments:

MelMel said...

I remember enjoying a walk on the downs, we found a small church...up a little lane....
we are in Sussex in Jan 09, for a wedding...

Lovely pictures btw.xxx

dottycookie said...

We did a traditional Boxing Day walk and I couldn't wait to get back home again to mugs of hot chocolate!!!

Happy New Year - hard to believe it's nearly that time now!

Heidi said...

We are having a very cold spell here too. It was wonderful over the long Christmas weekend to be out in the woods by Cranberry Cottage working on our supply of firewood. It was actually warm when the sun was on us but cold if the wind set in which it always does. We love to come back inside then for a while and warm up with hot chocolate. Jos has been asking me to make it each day now.

Hugs ~
Heidi

Anonymous said...

sounds very cold, but looks very beautiful.

We're in Devon, so didn't get it quite so cold (although cold enough thank you) - love a brisk winter walk after being indoors at Christmas - only beaten by being back in the warm afterwards!

Anonymous said...

Just seeing these pictures earlier made me grab my stuff and head for the outdoors. Great! Thanks!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Beautiful photos, Kim! But how COLD your little jaunt was! I don't think we've had it that cold here just yet.

We started "Duchess of Duke Street" last evening (hubby gave me the series on DVD for Christmas). We LOVE it! =) Hope you and yours have a very Joyous New Year 2009! hugs!

OhSoVintage said...

It certainly has been cold. We spent a wonderful day at the Weald and Downland museum yesterday (lingering in the buildings which had real fires). I have tagged you to do a list if you visit my blog (don't worry if you don't want to!)
Ruth x

Anonymous said...

there is nothing better to blow away the cobwebs
lisa x

Poppy said...

Lovely photos!!!

I could feel the cold on my face as I was reading your post.

Love Lou xxx

Pretty Practicals said...

Ooh you are brave to spend time out in this bitter winteriness. I have popped out each day for one reason or another, but today has been one of the coldest this week for sure.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Liz

Pam said...

I could feel that cold as you described it. Brrr!

Thimbleanna said...

It might be cold, but it sure was beautiful! I'm sure glad you found some warmth!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Now why oh why didn't you ask Santa for some Damart Mrs Roses????
I must commend you on your bravery.. I am far too wimpy to set foot very far outside the hermetically sealed comfort of our home..
Just think of all those choc calories you burnt off!

Dxx

Tracy said...

Hi, Kim! What lovely, wintry scenes! So glad to catch up with you last and see you're enjoying a wonderful holiday! We're just back from our Christmas trip and getting over the jet lag and settling in...ringing in 2009 will be quiet here-LOL! Wishing you & your love & joy in the New Year! ((HUGS))

Teena Vallerine said...

I know that, at times like these, balaclavas might seem like a good idea, but have you ever tried wearing one in the cold whilst eating an essential bar of restorative chocolate? Oh the drips, the stickiness, oh no, not nice at all. I'd rather be cold! t.xx

Lisa said...

It's great to get out isn't it, but I agree it oh so cold out there!
Lisa x

MelMel said...

hi there, you have an award and a tag!xx

Margaret Cloud said...

Our winds are bitter cold, I have not ventured out for a walk yet. I am glad your walk turned out all right. I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year.

Sea Angels said...

Hi Kim, bad isn't it! its still like that...except we have a nice cutting breeze now m'mmm yummy!!!
In fact your photo's being so very discriptive have encouraged me to stay in...I can look and pretend ha ha without the wind burn...........
Happy New Year,may ALL your wishes come true.
Lots of hugs Lynn xx

Carol said...

What a wonderful walk! I have enjoyed the recent cold snap too.
Have a Very Happy New Year Dear Roses Family..
Love and hugs,
Carol xxx

Betty said...

Happy New Year Kim!! I hope 2009 is your best year yet!

Summer by the sea said...

I hate the cold! and unfortunately being right by the sea its colder here than most other places - Have a really great 2009 - Natalie x

mollycupcakes said...

Happy new year Kim, looking forward to the new year and reading more of you're wonderful stories.
Thank you sooo much for the lovely email, you are very welcome. I'm glad you got the card.
Lots of love,
Catherine x

Linda said...

Hi Kim,
It always amazes me how one side of the world is freezing at the moment while the other is having a heat wave, as I look jealously at your lovely cold photos I am sitting in front of my computer in 37 degree Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) heat and it is almost four in the afternoon. I hope that you and your family had a wonderful New Years and I wish you all the best for 2009.
Cheers Linda

Greentwinsmummy said...

Happy New Year to all the Ragged Roses x
Its deliciously perishing here & we have walked miles the past weeks to make the most of it :O)
GTM x x x

meggie said...

So hard to imagine that, as we swelter in 30C degrees & over!
Loved those frosty pics, even though I know I would have been cringing at the cold.

I wish the Roses family a wonderful healthy & prosperous New Year. Hugs XXXX

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos and post as always Kim, yes isn't it bitter out there, but worth going out to enjoy coming back and snuggling by the fire with the dogs! A very Happy and peaceful New Year to you and your family. JackieMxx

Anonymous said...

I needed to add an extra layer just to read your post Kim....brrrr! It sure has been chilly this Christmas. Wonder if you watched Joanna Lumley's search for the northern lights in Norway. I was pleased to see she was happy to wear numerous layers of clothing, although she hardly looked like 'Mrs Michellin'! Wishing you and your lovely family a very happy 2009, love Eli

driftwood said...

brrr, so chilly, we went for a wintery walk with friends on Tuesday, our children ran and ran to keep warm, and theirs cried with the cold........ I felt so guilty as it was all my idea....

Amanda and Tim said...

Hehe I'm such a lightweight too - I already have cold hands and feet so it takes so little time before they go numb. And it really has been so chilly recently - I almost feel as cold as I did when in Russia, which is shocking!! Glad you made it through the cold to have a wonderful walk though - isn't going home to a warm fire and drink so much more rewarding after such a walk!!