Friday 18 December 2009

Snow And Lights

For once the forecast was correct. Here was the view at 9 p.m. yesterday evening.


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The next two were taken about and hour later

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We have no idea of how long the snow continued but when we awoke this morning, this is what greeted us:-


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What a pity it came just one week too early. The chances of a white Christmas in our area are low. It is forecast to warm up around the middle of next week. The schools are all closed so the children have received an unexpected extra day holiday. We got an early phone call from an elderly neighbour, Nellie. Ron, across the road from us, usually gets any bits of shopping for her but he took a fall on the ice yesterday and has damaged his back and shoulder, he had to go to the hospital. She asked Mike if he could get her a couple of bits. He was only too willing. He also called at my brother's and he needed bread and milk. The local shop was already out of bread so Mike had to drive to the village. Luckily the main roads have been well gritted and he had no trouble getting through. So, he has done his two good turns for today.

Now I have some pictures of local Christmas lights for you, starting with our village Christmas tree:-


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I must mentioned the large building you see on the right of the above picture and the one that will follow. It is the old pump room. In 1834 it was discovered that the water in our area was, at least then, every bit as good as the waters in Bath and Leamington Spa. So, the pump room was built around the local well and a hotel was built. Unfortunately for the investors, it was around that time that new seaside resorts were opening up and the long established habit of "taking the waters" was becoming less popular. Also, apart from countryside walks, there was little for people to do in the area. After a couple of years the whole venture fell through. However, both buildings still stand. The hotel is now a well-known and well used local pub.

The pump room itself has had a chequered history. It fell into ruin for quite some time but since then it has been small factories of different types and other things. Then it stood empty again - sad and neglected. An attempt was made to sell the water in bottles but it proved to be too competitive a market. One more it stood empty. However, it is now a private residence and has been restored to its former glory. It is obviously a listed building and will remain as it is now.


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We had five new radiators delivered this morning and tomorrow all our old ones are being replaced. It will be great when it is done of course, but in this cold we are not looking forward to having no heating for several hours whilst the work is done. I shall move from room to room with an electric radiator which we have or, most likely, spend the time in the conservatory now it is so warm and cosy out there. Perhaps some of the snow will remain and I will be able to watch the birds feeding. Not sure about the snow, it is thawing quite fast but as the day passes and the temperature drops, it could well be around tomorrow. I know it will be extremely icy tonight.

If you have snow in your area, please stay warm and take great care when outside either walking or driving.

Until the next time, dear friends and readers.


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23 comments:

  1. Lovely snow pictures, Jeannette, but I gather it's caused massive disruption down your way. Great Xmas deco images, thank you very much for sharing.

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  2. Doesn't everything look lovely with the fresh snowfall. Not looking forward to when is melts and goes grey and sludgey though! Love B x

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  3. Fantastic photos, Jeannette, both of the snow and lights. There's quite a lot of snow here as well and it's still snowing. I just hope we can get to the airport tomorrow. Wish you a great Christmas. All the best to you and your family.CIAO. Antonella

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  4. It always seems that snow adds to the Christmas spirit and makes all the lights glow even brighter in the dark. Your Mike is very special for helping those in need when they call. I hope you keep warm and don't catch a chill with the work being done there today. We have no snow now but they say it will come overnight. Tomorrow is our family Christmas celebration so I'm hoping there is not much and that everyone traveling will be safe.

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  5. Thank you for those lovely pix Jeannette and the short history lesson, fascinating. We have snow up here also, it started to fall last evening and was quite deep when I got up this morning. The main roads are clear so I was able to drive............the sky is clear now and the sun is shining but it is still very cold. Bet you are glad your conservatory is finished now.........what did Leo make of the snow?
    Eileen x

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  6. Your snow pictures are beautiful and so are the village lights. Interesting history about the pump house. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Helen

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  7. PS good for Mike helping those who are in need. A big hand to him.
    Helen

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  8. Lovely photo's today love all that snow. We have it too about three inches and it has not budged this morning at all still on the trees they look super. Have a great day and keep warm today at least don't envy you tomorrow. Love Joan

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  9. lovely snow pics, and pics of lights. now stay indoors and keep warm, brrrrrrrrr. how is your daughter? I hope she is feeling better. I bet the grandsons love the snow.
    ((((((hugs)))))))

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  10. What lovely photos and I love the lights. Snow is fun when it only sticks around for a awhile, after a few months it gets old. Hope you stay warm.

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  11. Doesn't everything look beautiful,but I hope it doesn't last Jeannette.It's pretty bad here were I live.The roads are like skating rinks.Thank goodness my Son came today to do his good deed for his Mum.Well done Mike,how kind of him.I cannot walk in snow at all,I ventured out this morning aiming for th elocal store but I had to turn back slippy wasn't the word.Then I rangand asked my Son to call this afternoon.Your lights are brilliant.I hope the work is all soon done and dusted,and the snow hurry's up and thaws .Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  12. Beautiful pictures, you live in a lovely area !! stay warm and healthy !!
    God bless, Vanessa

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  13. the pics are beautiful!!!
    hope ron does ok, bless mike for pitching in.
    have a good wkend.
    huggies...

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  14. what a snow fall you all sure had. Thankfully it didn't come this far west so although w ehave had a bitterly cold day we are at least dry and sunny. went to town (Bath) with Mary only to discover I had forgotten to charge my wheelchair so our shopping trip had to be abandoned !! Your pictures are so lovely, Snow always seems to come out well.. Good old Mike turing out as always for the neighbours. Bless him.
    Thank you for post that arrived today xx
    Love Sybil xx

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  15. The snow looks wonderful! the lights are beautiful as well. here's hoping Christmas is just as delightful!

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  16. loved the entry Jeanette! thanks so much for commenting on my journal about Pearl Harbor! Any chance you will come back and comment on Hanukkah?We want people to write in there feelings on it or conversely just write what you will be doing this week and up to Christmas with your link!
    oh it is cold in the states as well
    brrrrrrrrr! what do the cgrandchildren think of it?
    love and Happy Holidays!
    natalie
    Lurkynat

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  17. It all looks lovely Jeanette and the Pump Room is gorgeous. Mike really is a special man. Hope the snow goes away soon, I had to drive 150 miles through it this morning. Not looking forward to the big freeze tonight, I've got to be at work at 7.00am tomorrow. Brrrr.

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  18. I always enjoy your photos, Jeannette. I am having a snowy weekend in my area, too. We can get up to 8 inches. Yes, I wish this was Christmas Day. It would be beautiful. Merry Christmas, my friend. Love, Val xox

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  19. Love the pics it's pretty similar around here too..shame it won't last until next I 've never seen a white Christmas..thanks for the Christmas card

    Yasmin
    xx

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  20. Great Photos ,Wishing you Mike and all your lovely family a very Happy Christmas and a safe healthy new year ...love Jean and Pete xxx

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  21. Thanks for stopping by with thoughts and prayers. It was such a surprise when I saw so many thoughtful comments from people that I don't even know.
    Thank you..
    Love the pictures..
    Sheri

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  22. your new sunroom and your christmas lights are so beautiful. i love the blue of the lights.

    MAY YOU HAVE THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS SURROUNDING YOU IN THIS, THE SEASON OF OUR LORD.

    regina

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  23. LOVE THE SNOW AND LOVE THE LIGHTS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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