SNOW WAS FALLING, SNOW ON SNOW ....

What a fabulous pre-Christmas week!    We have had Jon and Sam staying a few days to chill out from their busy City jobs, and with their arrival came lots and lots of snow, which even now is lying 'deep and crisp and even'.    We were all so excited at the spectacular wintry views from our windows, and much enjoyed making our way through soft powdery, deep snow along the Railway Walk to Winscombe yesterday.   The sky was completely blue, and the sun shone which made everywhere look ravishing - yet didn't melt the snow one bit.   How we enjoyed a hot drink at the warm and cosy pub there, before making our way back home again - cheeks glowing and eyes sparkling.     This weather is SUCH fun - as long as you don't have to travel anywhere, and we do feel so sorry for all the poor souls stranded at frozen airports, and presently on the M25 in both directions!       We plan to travel along the M5/M4 to Mumbles tomorrow to take Kerry out for Christmas lunch, and give her all the family presents..... fingers crossed!

I have spent a busy morning baking 6 dozen mince pies - will that be sufficient Kim?   .... and also done a chocolate log to take to Kerry.    (I could bring one of those to Harewood House too Kim, if you like....)

Thought this picture would add a festive note.

NEW BEST FRIENDS.

Christmas has come early for me this year, with the most wonderful and totally unexpected 'presents' (or should I more correctly say 'presence') suddenly appearing in the paddock outside my studio window.  I looked up from wrapping a parcel to see a dark brown creature, with the softest fluffiest coat and the most soulful large dark eyes looking in at me.   My heart missed a beat!

Warm sunshine has taken the place of hard hoare frosts these past few days - though the temperature has remained very low, particularly at night - and this lovely animal was outlined in its golden glow.   I grabbed my camera and dashed outside, to discover that there was yet another little surprise lurking behind the hedge.   A dinky  cappucino-coloured miniature pony, with delightfully trendy unruly hair.  I couldn't believe my eyes.

Then a really nice young woman appeared, whose pets these beautiful creatures obviously were.   She explained that the cuddly brown one was an Exmoor pony, just two years old, which she planned to ride in the spring, and his name is Dragonfly.  The other is in the paddock as a companion for him, horses apparently liking company, and he is called Scrumpy.  They have been brought into 'our' paddock as there is plenty of long grass available, it having been empty since dear old Butch died in the spring.

It seems that both ponies are extremely hardy.  Joy (for that is the lucky owner's name) pointed out that the ponies' tails flowed straight down from their backs, which allowed snow to slide off easily.    So it seems they don't have any cosy stable to return to in the winter weather, but are perfectly happy to be outside all the time.     I find myself peering out of the window when I go to bed on frosty nights to get a glimpse of their dark shapes, and do feel a little sorry for them.   However, it is obvious that Joy loves them to bits, and knows what is best for them.

Perhaps the empty stable might find another use sometime soon!

(question? - why can't I get the text to 'sit in line' when I edit a paragraph? - most irritating!)