Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Flash freeze !

Yesterday we had a good dump of snow, after which the temperature rose and we received a good dump of rain.  Then we had a "flash freeze" and the temperature went from above freezing to 10 C below in short order.  This sort of weather is a bad thing if you need to get out of your driveway or travel anywhere.


This afternoon I put on my sweat jacket, my warm coat, my waterproof over-pants, my lined mitts, ear muffs and neck scarf and then fitted the "cleat grippers" over my boots, and gingerly walked Wendy and Trey up to the corner park.


It was worth the effort.


I took 155 photos.


And whittled them down to ten or so favourites.


There was a crust on the snow and I broke through a couple of times.  As I was walking I noticed that one of my "grippers" was missing.  I retraced my steps, found it, looked down and the OTHER "gripper" was gone !   Every time I'd break through the crust and take a step, one of the damn grippers would remain behind in the hole !


Every time I wanted to take a photo I had to take off my mitten.


Within minutes, the hand that was bare was freezing and screaming to be returned to its mitt.  I'd blow into the mitten to help my poor fingers defrost when I stuffed my hand back in.


Since this only happens once or twice in a Winter, I always marvel at how the ice coating changes my World into a rather magical place.

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Yvonne. Hope you sort out the comments glitch on your Blog.

      Delete
  2. I think the computer ate my first reply!
    I love those photos...especially the plant encased in ice. We got a bit of rain, but not at all like your ice storm.
    When your icers wear out or disappear in the hole, give a thought to buying icers at Lee Valley. I have them and what with the velcro straps etc, they never come off. They save me! http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=40911&cat=2

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I met someone at Shubie the other day who had the Lee Valley grippers and it was easy to see how good they were as they fasten over top of the boots. Definitely a good investment for next year. Thanks.

      Delete
  3. Lovely photos Sybil! Isn't winter fun? It took John 6 hours with the tractor to clear our driveway yesterday. I have the Lee Valley grippers too...they are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sold on those Lee Valley grippers even though they cost three times as much as the Canadian Tire ones. Good luck with your driveway.

      Delete
  4. It's all quite beautiful, especially since it happened somewhere other than here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I envy you your milder climate Les. I am NOT enjoying this up and down Winter.

      Delete
  5. I LOVE the third picture with the sun, the sparkling ice and the shadows - breathtaking! (Enlarged it looks even better...) Ice storms are magical, as long as we don't lose power. I know what you mean about freezing fingers trying to take pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Must confess that that is my favourite too. I thought when I was taking it that I was breaking all the rules about taking pictures toward the sun.

      Delete
  6. Hi Sybil -- Nice to meet you! That photo of the ice-covered bench is spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debra. We're having quite the Winters aren't we !

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I really do love to read your comments.