We had several hours of snow this morning. Well, to be fair some of it was hail which served to add some solid ice to the already frozen roads around here. This was the scene from the garden at around 9.30 am.
There were tell-tale signs that foxes had been through in the night.
But my main concern was getting to the shops. The roads were not looking good. I walked.
It wasn't much better when I got to the small shopping parade. The local bus service had given up. Fair enough. I'm amazed they made it up here in the first place. The local hills are as steep as mountain passes. Clearly though they weren't going to risk the drive back down the hills into town.
And here's a good reason why not. Just a few yards away… Two lamp posts demolished.
The few cars that were about were sliding on thick ice. I saw several failed attempts to turn up hills (Why? I ask myself, Why do you think you can do that?), and some motorized ice-dancing.
There were also nice – if somewhat bleak – views from here out over the Downs and to the sea.
It was on my way back (with plenty of supplies) that I had my wildlife encounter. Nothing exotic, but small birds in snow are always fun to see, especially when they are as lively as this little pied wagtail. 
The temperature has dropped below 0º again, but the chances are that we'll escape any further snow falls. The question now is whether the thaw will arrive before Monday. Although the main roads should be passable, the smaller roads are untreated and frankly without chains (or at a stretch, a 4-wheel drive) there is no safe way out.
Camera note: The first two shots were taken with the Canon 40D: first with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens, and the second with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS. The rest of the photos were taken with the Panasonic FZ45.
SittingFox
18 Dec 2010😆
Well, it sounds like our days were quite similar! I didn't see any smashed lamp posts :eyes: I did also see a couple of mindboggling driving techniques!
Lovely wagtail, and nice shot of the snowy Downs and the sea :up:
anonymous
19 Dec 2010Jim Guild writes:
I think it's a gorgeous view of the Downs to the sea.
RobinL
19 Dec 2010Wonderful winter :irked: Pretty bad when the buses are parked too! I imagine one of double deckers could really do a dipseedoodle on the ice:) Like you say "ice dance"
Words
19 Dec 2010Robin, I have to say that our local bus company is great at times like this. There's good info on their website and they really do try to cover all areas. The problem today was the ice. They need deeper snow to operate with snow chains. Sensible of them to park up (handily near the local hostelry, I note 😉 )
Words
19 Dec 2010Adele, I can never understand why people get in their cars when it's like this. The lamp post is at the bottom of a fairly steep hill (just before a junction, which descends even more rapidly on the other side. Crazy even to attempt it. Without the 'obstacle' it's a good 2 miles before you reach level ground!
Words
19 Dec 2010Jim, thanks for popping by! The views of the sea are great from up here. My absolute favourite is about half a mile further along where you get two hills forming a valley, but I wasn't going to trek that far today. :smurf:
Flying Red Fox Blog
19 Dec 2010Its very beautiful, i hope Heathrow opens soon so that my Brother and his girlfriend can return from Berlin in time for Christmas on Tuesday and that my Sister and her boyfriend to arrive on Thursday. lets hope they open tomorrow although snow s forecasted all week for the London area!
Words
19 Dec 2010Mark, it's pretty, but it does make life tricky!
I imagine the airports will be working by Tuesday (just), but you can never tell. I hope your brother and sister make it home ok for Christmas!
Words
19 Dec 2010Erwin, beautiful, but very disruptive at the moment :psmurf:
raniakasim
20 Dec 2010the third photo is a great one , thanks Words .
Words
20 Dec 2010Rania, thanks. That hill would make a good ski slope!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Very beautiful nature with its winter robe