Winter WonderlandIt’s that time of year again, as the winter moves in and the snow begins to fall, and all of Britain comes to a complete stand still. It’s time to dig out the sledge and put on your wellies.

It’s my opinion that here in Britain, England especially, we are not use to such weather, and we do not have the skills or resources to cope properly. When it gets to winter, inevitably, snow brings Britain to a halt.

Snow-Covered TreeThis year has seen record snow fall across the entire country, with much of the country seeing up to 40 inches, which is far more than any of us have ever seen before. You have to go back 25 years to see weather as bad as this, although I like to say, “weather as good as this”, as I love the snow, and always have done. It is therefor no surprise that we are struggling to cope. We have seen temperatures similar to that in parts of Russia, even the Antarctic, and snowfall thick enough to bring chaos to any country, let alone one that only sees this type of weather once or twice a year.

I don’t recall in my lifetime ever seeing this amount of snow, and I was like a lot of people across the country on Tuesday, constantly looking out the window for the first signs that the snow was coming. I remember saying to those around me, “we won’t get any snow, we never do”, and this is true, in the southern part of England, where I reside, we scarcely see the snow at all, let alone on this scale. As the first snow fell I began to sense something good, and by nightfall we were already under 10 inches.

It was great to see, as the landscape completely transformed itself. Places that are otherwise dull and lifeless, suddenly become fixtures in a winter wonderland, and are very easy on the eye. Snow on the HillsEverybody started to emerge from their houses for an impromptu walk along the road, even at midnight. People were enjoying themselves like I have never witnessed, and it was a joy to be a part of. What struck me most was how friendly everyone was, and how often people would greet you, as this would never normally happen.

As I stood in the centre of a deserted road, and listened to the very soft sound of the snow falling, and the slightly echoed sound of distant laughter, I felt completely content. I had willed the snow to fall in my mind, and was thankful for the sights before me on this night. I turned to regard the entrance to a small country road, and noticed how the weight of the snow had lowered the trees and branches on each side of the road. They now overhung the road, and joined in the middle, creating a beautiful, white archway, almost like the entrance to Narnia, minus the wardrobe. I felt compelled to investigate.

Gateway to NarniaUpon approaching this elegant gateway, I noticed the virgin snow around my feet, and peered further down the road, which resembled a tunnel for all the foliage that bridged the gap. A strange light filled the atmosphere all around, as if the snow was in fact it’s own light source, and I could see down the road further than I imagined I would be able to, and I was compelled to wander further on in. It didn’t take long before the trees deposited a large clump of snow directly onto my head, and with similar clumps falling all around me, I decided to make my exit. I couldn’t help but smile though.

The night wore on, and I engaged in many conversations with various people. Some of whom I have barely spoken to in the 15 years I have lived there, and now here we were, like good friends, sharing in the excitement.

It’s my opinion, that for all the destruction the snow brings, it also brings peace and happiness, to an all-too-often-stressful world. I like the snow, and long may it continue :)

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