Silver Birch

 

One of the great things about this time of year is decidious trees such as the Silver Birch which really stand out in a stripped environment with just dead lives and a bit of grass as colour.

I just love walking around ours at this time of year.

Resting

 

The snow has now fully cleared here from its heights over the weekend which made it impossible for me to get about and actually it has been a pretty warmish 12 odd degrees c so I was out birdwatching this morning quite attentively and watching his nutkins attempting to bury food in the relatively soft ground which was really enjoyable.

I am experiencing some internet issues, the technicalities of which I will leave out but basically it means I need to access it differently for a period so what was to be Monday's post will emerge in the fullness of time but given how stressful this has been my priority is having this life, being outdoors enjoying and learning about nature.

What tree is that?

 

Sometimes you might just appreciate something that helps in identifying tree species and this chart showing both leaf detail and buds in Wintertime is just the thing we need when out exploring.

The snow arrived!

As I look through the window, everything is what, roofs, pavements, roads the distant ridges as we have had a very heavy downpour of snow overnight so I suspect given my problems walking about, I'm going to be inside beyond just fetching stuff to and from the house holding on to things.

For all that winter does, making it at times hard to get about, actually I love winter making snowballs, snowmen and just having fun, well wrapped up in it although whither or not some work on my internet happens today remains to be seen.

I just prefer to be outside as much as I can.
 

More snow and thoughts

Well yesterday was another one but with more like a couple of inches of snow delivered in three stages so I was wrapped up getting on with things.

This said, with care, exercises in the snow can be a proper source of training as these older scouts are engaged with support so you are able to survive and look after yourself in extreme conditions.

When incidents happen as they have this week, we all need and look for people who can get us to safety so we need to train people who at the drop of hat can help.

*Due to recabling issues and loss of internet for a period, we won't be posting on Friday and are in the hands of BT/Openreach as to wither a resumption on Monday is possible.

 

Snow Fun

 

Unlike Saturday, Sunday night saw a good two inches of snow so when I got up this morning we were greeted with a lot so I made a snowman just like these young  chaps did which is fun.

Obviously you do wrap up, wellingtons, thick gloves, hat and winter coat as some others did today as school was shut so they went sledging instead!

Setting the direction

 We are in the New Year so really it is a good idea to look what our aims are for this year just as we're due to have substancial snow and temperates dropped to minus 4 degrees overnight.

One of the first things is the simpleist which is to have fun being out in the fresh air, removed from the at times overwhelming attachment modern phones and social media, just taking things in at a more slower natural rate.

Then there is learning from new experiences and that I would be away to somewhere I've never been before this year will add to that as it is easy to get into a rut and learning new stuff keeps me mentally alert and active.

One element is looking at scouting and related field today, the world youngsters are getting engaged in themesleves and how that which I and others contribute to is meeting their needs as we need a next generation able to not just "do stuff" but navigate some of less desirable sides of our tech centred cultural landscape.

As ever we do look back to the past too as while somethings not least safeguarding have improved and changes in technology mean some of things we learned then just don't apply, there are lessons from the past that we can learn from.