Saying Goodbye to Winter

As the dark green gorse begins to clothe its spiky tips in gold and the daffodils wave their sunshine as we pass, it is time to say goodbye to Winter. She has been long and hard, the chill winds and frozen ground persevering and forbidding new life. The delicate heads of snowdrops dared not show their beauty until mid February and have only just allowed their white petals to shrivel and drop; the hedgerows have only just begun to be peppered with acid green specks, the hopeful sign of gentler things to come.

But though Winter was long, its frost and snow blanketed the hills and dales in monochrome memories and silent stillness. At times the views were sublime: dark lace trees etched against a setting sun, white fields strewn with golden hay to feed the hardy sheep; the laughter of sledging, the crunch of snow and ice under foot and tyre. And before we forget all this completely as the new season sheds its winter coat and new scents and sounds fill the softening air, I hope the pictures below will capture some special moments of the departing season.































Comments

TIGGYWINKLE said…
What great pictures. They are so clear. I love the sheep huddled together, the jugstaposition of footprints and tyre tracks, and the clear detail of the snow drops.
oohh .... lovely pics - thank you!

(Can't help but love Spring though!)
Love the pictures . . . what an excellent record of the winter . . .
Chris Stovell said…
Like Tiggy, I love that one of the sheep. The snowdrops are gorgeous too.
Pipany said…
Wow, they are fantastic pictures. Just stunning especially the close ups. Hurrah for spring though...we need some sunshine xx
Pondside said…
Your words and photos could almost make me notstalgic for winter. Almost.
It snowed here on Wednesday, so I'll have to come back and read your post again when the promise of spring is a little stronger.
I love your pictures. I am a total lover of spring and need the reminder that winter had so much beauty (still got fed up with cold feet though).
musicats said…
I cannot believe how lovely the land is where you live. Your pics are evocative of my old childhood and the country with all that space (I am in the city now and always wishing for the country). Spring is here where I live and I love each minute of my tiny Eden that I have created--I can only live in the country vicariously and you help me do that with your words and pictures. Even though the winter is hard the beauty of the snow makes springtime all the more dear.
Cait O'Connor said…
Gorgeous pics, the snowdrops are sublime.
Phoenix C. said…
What beautiful photos! I'm glad the snow is (hopefully) over, though!
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you for your comments - you are obviously a woman of great taste and wisdomosity :)!
Elizabeth said…
Such gloriously English pictures.
Thank you.
I'm English but now live in Manhattan....
quite a contrast.
Carah Boden said…
Thank you everyone for stopping by and commenting. I haven't had a chance to pop over to all of you yet to see what you are up to, and am now rushing off for the Easter holidays - but I promise I will do so on my return!
Happy Easter!
x
Exmoorjane said…
Absolutely stunning pictures.....just WOW! Your place looks amazing and makes me wish (almost) I was out in the middle of nowhere again. jx
philippa g said…
What lovely photos - seems a world away from here :) xx

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