The tassels were finally added, my Doctor Who scarf is complete. Just as it decides to turn into Spring, by-passing this whole cold wet snowy Winter stuff entirely. But at least I have a fancy scarf to wear.
Tag: winter
Reasons winter is good
1) Porridge
2) Snow and frost making things pretty
3) Foggy days in Melbourne
4) Skiing
5) Getting warm by fires
6) Long nights
7) Blankets (snuggling in)
Reasons winter is bad
1) People cooking porridge in the microwave and letting it overflow then not cleaning up afterwards
2) Getting hypothermic in the snow
3) Having to have showers when you’re freezing cold
4) Cold nose, cold ears, cold hands, cold feet
5) Too cold to climb
6) Not enough sunlight
7) Having to wear several thousand layers
8) Rainy weekends
9) Continual lack of snow despite cold and rainy weather
Today I was introduced to the concept of the 30-30-30 rule. If the temperature drops to -30°F or under, and the wind is blowing at 30 mph, then any exposed skin will begin to freeze in 30 seconds. It was bloody cold today.
Well, it wasn’t quite cold enough for the rule to come into effect, but it was raining, and then snowing, all with a very strong wind, which managed to freeze lots of car doors shut, and create swathes of black ice on the roads and pavements, and nearly blow people over who were silly enough to be standing around outside.
I went hiking in Great Falls Park today. There were frozen waterfalls, and icy puddles, and trees without leaves. Hoards and hoards of trees without leaves. I can understand now why people get so excited about the leaves in autumn (or fall), as it would be pretty spectacular. Just about all Australian natives are evergreens, so our autumn isn’t anything special.
These are the Great Falls of the Potomac. Hmm, apparently many people consider them to be the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington DC area (according to google). The Potomac is actually the dividing line between Maryland and Virginia – these photos were taken from the Maryland shore. More photos if you click on the link thingo underneath (the later photos are taken further downstream, earlier on in the hike).
