Monday, February 01, 2010

A STIR CRAZY OUTING IN WINTER BLASTS.

In our madness, we went out into the biting winds, hailstones and snow bursts.  We ended up taking a walk in a very exposed place. Thank heavens for my old ski jacket, better still, I congratulated myself for thinking of wearing it.  I felt the need for a salopettes - they were not very usefully hanging in the wardrobe - but, I was wearing knee high socks under my denims, plus I had put over them shin level thick walking socks to suit my boots.  My head was well protected with a quilted lined hat, and of course, the fleece lined hood of my ski jacket that also had a very desirable deep collar.

I took some pictures of what caught my eye, when my eyes were not caught by snow and hail.  It looks a bit bleak in its own way, but then it was.

The hard weather has taken its toll on deer; they have come down from their hilltops, often to their detriment.

 


There was an old ice house in the hill face, looking out towards the sea.  It would have served the fishermen who would have set their nets nearby.  Being some distance from  a harbour, the ice house served as a refrigerator.


and here is part of the outlook from the  ice house
 

With the challenge of the weather conditions, not that you can really see just how difficult they could be from these pictures, we decided, once at the ice house,  it was time to turn back.  We could only struggle on into more exposed places.  It was best to stop while we felt we were ahead of the game.  

A wintry view of the return journey.


 
 
We struggled against the wind on our way back.  There was a halfway car park that we had not used, though we met another couple of people who had.  They also stayed on lower levels than we did and said, they found it bracing enough doing that.  Bravely, we declined a ride to the top of the path, another quarter mile or so nearer to our car.  The last few yards to the car were a dash to get out of the next heavy hailstone battering.  It made the flask of hot coffee and snacks all the more enjoyable.

6 comments:

Vincent said...

Nothing mad about that in my view, though it takes something to actually stir oneself, as you hint; and I find it easy to be rather optimistic in the matter of clothing. Marks & Spencer provide me with suitable underwear, especially the modern form of thermal long johns. I'm glad you rewarded yourselves in the café. Going out in winter can be a form of penance, a religious activity I'm often drawn to; but I like to profane it with some indulgence afterwards.

And congratulations on having endured and survived the coldest time in Scotland for 100 years.

ZACL said...

Hi Vincent,

Thanks for taking time out of your relentless schedule.

Yes, this Winter has been a hard one. Like you, I do have M & S underclothing, but I hadn't thought to wear my longjohns. I should have. They don't come out very often and get forgotten about. I'm wearing other M & S bits and pieces though. Now my memory has been jogged, I shall bring the longjohns to the fore.

Our coffee was in the car, from a flask, which hubby had the forethought to bring. Quite honestly,I was happy with the arrangement. It obviated the need to get out of the car before we returned to our warm house.

We did need to be doing something, Wintry weather or not. As we are in an exposed area, it is difficult to find less exposed walking and outings of various sorts,

Anonymous said...

It sure looks bleak in your photos.
I don't like to stay indoors more than two days running and like you would have ventured out. I wrap up well and enjoy winter walks, although not in the rain or wind!
It's been a long winter this year and I guess that we're now all looking forward to spring and beyond!
Flighty xx

ZACL said...

Hi Mr F

Nice to hear from you.

Assuming we do get some Spring weather here, it is usually our main season before Autumn sets in, it will come later than with you. We, therefore, still have a long length of Winter still to cope with. Oh well. At least it is something to look forward to.

I am still on the hunt for snowdrops etc. around here. They are keeping well out of sight.

Leah said...

Even in the bleakness, I couldn't help notice what a beautiful area you live in!! I hope winter turns a kinder eye on you all!

ZACL said...

Hi Leah,

Bleakness and coarseness here, all have some beauteous state. We were a little distance up West from our home. There was more snow to be seen on the fields and so on, where we live. There was no difference though, in the level of the cold wind, blinding hailstones and sweeping snow showers.

It will be interesting to see what develops out of our very long cold Winter.

Some previous posts here give pix from other localities, in different seasons, within reach of home. I don't post tons of pictures. If you have a spare moment, you might like to do a quick tour.