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Following a storm that lasted the best part of two days with unrelenting rain and wind, today was somewhat calmer.In its wake the storm left the trampoline in our garden dismantled and the dogs kennel almost ruined. At the lake the quantity of water coming from higher land has left the lake flooded again and the ice is only a memory now.
Tonight though is a different story, as I write this there is a steady fall of snow outside the window and temperatures are set to go down to -8 tonight. Tomorrow night is to drop to -10 which if not snow will provide a spectacular frost for our rescheduled Winter Walk. Our original walk was postponed due to the storm but Saturday is promising to be – well, more promising.
Here is the deal if you are round this neck of the woods: Same as the one the other day:
<b>WINTER WALK</b>
I propose that anyone who is interested come and meet us on Saturday Morning at 10am ( January 2nd ).
<b>Meeting Point:</b> Main Car Park Santry Demesne. From there we will walk/slide through the park to the lake, do one lap of the lake and return to the car park.
<b>Duration:</b> I reckon it will take between one and two hours.
<b>Absolutely Necessary:</b> Hat, Gloves, Waterproof Shoes or Boots, Scarf & Warm Clothing.
Children are welcome, Photographers are welcome.
Optional: Flask of Coffee / Whiskey.
After our walk we will be visiting Costa in Northwood where we will endeavor to warm ourselves. If you are coming please leave a comment below, text or mail me so that we will be expecting you.
And finally I would like to wish all of my contacts and friends and kin a Very Happy New Year !
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
The forecast was a 40% chance of snow at 9 am this morning. But it rained and rained and rained, it started yesterday morning and has not stopped since. So this morning I called off the Walk and went over to the car park to make sure nobody had turned up. Nobody did. I then took a drive past the lake and it is flooded, yet again. Anyone into trying again on Saturday ?
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
Today the gulls stood on the ice in the sunshine, enjoying what little heat there was, just like the swans except their little feet must have been freezing.
Some people started feeding the birds, which became a comedy as the gulls came in from the air in seconds to reap the rewards as the ducks just slid left, right and center.
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
There is a possibility of snowfall on <b>Tuesday Night / Wednesday Morning</b> and as we are going to be running out of Holidays I propose that anyone who is interested come and meet us on Wednesday Morning at 10am ( December 30th ).
Meeting Point: Main Car Park Santry Demesne. From there we will walk/slide through the park to the lake, do one lap of the lake and return to the car park.
Duration: I reckon it will take between one and two hours.
Absolutely Necessary: Hat, Gloves, Waterproof Shoes or Boots, Scarf & Warm Clothing.
Children are welcome, Photographers are welcome.
Optional: Flask of Coffee / Whiskey.
After our walk we will be visiting Costa in Northwood where we will endeavor to warm ourselves. If you are coming please leave a comment below, text or mail me so that we will be expecting you.
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
The sunshine this morning at the lake was almost horizontal and therefore did not reach most of the ice on the lakes surface. The swans spent the duration of my visit on the bank enjoying whatever heat they could get in the rays. Celia was curious when I arrived first as can be seen above, but had lost all interest by the time I had done a lap of the lake, see below.
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfot
I had heard yesterday that the lake was partly frozen so I couldn’t wait to get there this morning. The main part of the lake was almost completely frozen over all apart from the part in the middle kept clear by the fountain. I estimate the ice to be an inch thick at its thickest point. There was not one bird in evidence anywhere.
As I went around the back of the lake I found some Moorhens in the grass further from the lake than I had ever seen them. On seeing me they abandoned their spot and headed across the small strait to the safety of the island. Further on I startled the Heron and he flew away out of view.
On reaching the upper part of the lake I was spotted by the swans and they swam over to the edge, climbed out and started to walk toward me. I slowly backed up and three of them followed, Celia stalling at the lakes edge. I continued to back up and the continued to follow up the hill until they were over 100 yards from the lake. Eventually Bertie stalled and called the cygnets back and reluctantly they turned and waddled back to more familiar territory.
Snow is predicted for tonight, which is exciting as I have never seen a white Christmas and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers and followers a Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfot
Quiet days at the lake – until today that is. Today (& tomorrow) the park is closed in order to host the European Cross Country Running Championships. The place has been transformed into a huge sporting venue with the route for the runners going within yards of the lake itself. I was there today in time to see our very own Sonya O’Sullivan being interviewed for TV by RTE.
Sonya won a gold medal in the 5000 m at the 1995 World Athletics Championships. She won silver medals in the 5000 m at the 2000 Olympic Games and in the 1500 m at the 1993 World Championships. She has also won three European Championship gold medals and two World Cross-Country Championship gold medals.
© Strictly All Rights Reserved. If you like my Photographs please respect me and remember that they are mine.
You can see a Slide show of all of my Northwood Photographs here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos/sets/72157618909099414/show/
You can see all of my pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebfotos
Paul Freeney's Ponder 