Regular readers will know that we were back in the UK and Ireland last week for a holiday. Most of our trip was damp and drizzly… It made me realise that while the cold and the snow can be a bit of a pain, it could be worse. It’s properly cold here, but it doesn’t seem to seep into your bones the way that damp, miserable weather can. There were times when I felt colder in Edinburgh than I do in Boston, despite it being a good 20C ‘warmer’!
As we spent all of our trip catching up with friends and family, we actually spent very little time outside: I had no Country Kids post last week, the first time I’ve missed a week for about six months I think! Getting back to Boston on Tuesday we were greeted with sub-zero temperatures and we are still surrounded by white, although it’s largely ice at the moment rather than snow… This has been coupled with tired, jet lagged children (and mummy). So, we’ve yet again struggled to get outside.
Today, it may have been -12C at 10am but the sun was shining and I’d had enough! So, I bundled the 4yo up in this snow gear and bundled the wee girl up in the buggy and said we were going for a walk. I bribed encouraged the 4yo with the promise of a cake in Wholefoods, which is only a ten minute walk from our house.
And, off we set!
First we had to stomp on some ice in the driveway…
There were interesting pavements to navigate!
There was snow (ice!) to be thrown and to climb on.
There was lots of running…
There were beautiful trees to contemplate!
And jazz hands :)
It might have been beyond freezing, and our fingers and toes and noses were burning by the time we got home, but I’m so glad we made the effort to get out and get some (very) fresh air :)
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill again this week. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
Aw, so much snow – my children would love to see that, they keep begging me for snow, bless them.
I have really wished I could send the UK some of our snow over this winter, not just to get rid of it (!) but because the kids have had so much fun with it, and the weather with you guys has been so miserable.
Wow that is cold! They look so cool in their sungalsses and snow gear though. Cake encouragement is always good (called ‘go faster snacks’ in our house)
I like that, go faster snacks :) It’s been that cold since before Christmas… Our snow gear has had good use this year!
I know exactly what you mean about the damp-it does seep into your bones doesn’t it. Your son looks very cool in his gear! I can’t bear being cooped up indoors for too long either :)
It really does, so much more than dry cold does. I thought the 4yo looked pretty cool too – love him in the glasses :)
Now I see why your pavments are so wide. So that a wall of snow, on either side, can be piled up. They all look dressed for the weather. Jazz hands too! #CountryKids
Good point! The wall is currently waist high in most places… With more snow forecast for tomorrow :)
Love your photos! Snow makes a walk that much more interesting :)
The 4yo was in heaven, our ten minute walk to the shop (and cake!) took about half an hour :)
I think the fact that the sun was shining made it such a lovely walk! With plenty of things to explore and have fun with on the way it sounds like your short adventure was the perfect tonic to your cabin fever. Thanks for linking up and sharing your fun with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona, I just couldn’t stay inside any longer! Despite the cold, it was a beautiful day adm the sun felt wonderful.
That bike attached to the pram looks little an amazing little contraption… I am intrigued! Where did you get that? x Mel
Everyone loves the bike! We got it from Switzerland, it’s a BiBi, but I don’t think they make them anymore… You can pick them up on eBay though :) It’s absolutely fantastic, we love it!
Will be actively looking for one! Brilliant design! x Mel
It really is, we’ve had ours for almost five years, both boys have used it and they love it too – they call it their ‘sky bike’ :)
think I’d prefer the cold to the wet! lovely photos as always
Thank you :) Yes, I think the cold wins, although I am really looking forward to spring now!
MINUS 12!!!! I’d love to see how people in the UK would react to that LOL. I was freezing just now in our last hour out and it probably was 4 or 5 degrees positive. Let me just look on bbc.co.uk hang on…yep 5 degrees just as I thought.
Oh your pictures are stunning just like skiing (not that I have been) where they have snow yet a clear blue sky. Imagine you finding Edinburgh colder. Do you think it is due to the wind chill factor that we tend to get in the UK?
Liska xx #CountryKids
I’ve been amazed at how we’ve coped actually, it’s been like this for two months now! But it’s a dry cold, and I think that makes the difference. It’s awful when it’s windy though, you just can’t go out! In Edinburgh it was damp and windy, and it was that combination – it just seemed to chill me in a different way.
Well done guys for getting out. Always worth the effort. Love the jazz hands.
It was so worth the effort, I was desperate for some proper fresh air!
That looks like so much more fun than being out in the endless rain we have had! Beautiful! X
Thank you, I think I definitely prefer the cold to the rain!
That pavement looks immaculate, with the heaps to the side and all clear between. Is it that everyone shovels the bit outside their house? Cos you don’t get that in England! Everyone just leaves their bit to freeze like a skating rink… mind you our pavements beneath can be a lot lumpier than that too!
Yes, you are responsible for your bit of pavement, and I believe that you can be fined for not clearing it. Everybody does their bit, although some make a better job of it that others :) those that only clear a person width rather than a buggy width for example… I end up walking on the road a lot!
Was discussing with my sister who always clears her bit and hates the snow buildup on town pavements. She said the problem in Britain is that there’s a minute legal risk that if you clear your path “wrongly” and if it causes an accident you could be sued…
Yeah, I’ve heard that said in the UK too, I was alway nervous of clearing our pavement in Edinburgh.
We’re ridiculous about stuff we can be sued for in this country :-(
Wonderful photos Sara! I find that once I get the kids bundled up in their snowsuits, hats and gloves then they can have a fab time out in the cold and snow. Must get mine cool glasses like yours!
He did love it, and didn’t once complain about being cold, he was too busy playing with the snow :)
I’m still amazed on how much snow there is there! Just goes to show I don’t have much experience with snow ;) #CountryKids.
We’ve had a lot this year, much more that is normal!
Fab pictures once again – you can’t beat a bright dry crisp day :-)
Thank you, it was lovely :)
Wow you still have so much snow piled up! Lovely to see the sunshine though isn’t it – even if it is still freezing!!
Yes, the snow is definitely more bearable with blue sky :)
Oh my gosh, looking at the pavements and roads this is very old snow that’s just hanging around due to low temperatures? Somehow old snow is nowhere near as much fun! The blue skies make it prettier but you must be so fed up of it all now?
Nipping over from Country Kids.
You’re absolutely right, this is snow that’s been around for weeks now. It’s mainly ice in fact :) I really have had enough now!
How cool is that snow and sun!
Thanks! On a sunny day it does all look lovely :)
Still so much snow. It’s great you still manage to get out and burn off some energy and have fun. I love those sunglasses! :)
Thanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids
It’s so cold the snow just isn’t going anywhere! But, as soon as the sunshines we’re out there :)
That looks like some pretty epic snow and ice compared to UK standards! I agree with you about the wet being more annoying though. I’m hoping today’s more spring-like weather is going to stick around – I heard it could be 16 degrees here at the weekend which would be lovely. It’s a shame Little Miss hasn’t really seen snow this winter, just wet!
Oh, 16C, that would be amazing! Actually 0C would be pretty good :) We’ve had a lot of snow this year :)
My littlest hasn’t seen snow since she’s been old enough to walk and enjoy it – she would LOVE this!!
The kids have enjoyed it, and while I’ve had enough of the cold now, I have a lot of lovely memories of the kids playing in it :)
My children have really missed the snow this year! #letkidsbekids
We’ve been very lucky, the kids have had plenty of opportunity to play in it… I’d be quite happy to see it go now though :)
In some ways I am envious of all you snow but I know that in the UK we would grind to a holt so probably best that you keep it. Does look like you are having great fun though.
It’s had it’s moments :) And the infrastructure is definitely better able to cope here!
You know you are making me insanely jealous with all your photos, right?! Every single time I pop over for a visit at your blog I start packing to move to the US. ;)
We didn’t get one day of snow this year. Not even one. But we did get a heck of a lot of rainy days. I prefer the snow and sunshine for the rain and grey…
And, you know, loved the post :)
I’m sorry! But you know, the polar temperatures haven’t been much fun… Does that help :)
I love that we are involved in the same blog club – means i get to follow your blog! Glad you had a safe journey home. I am so jealous you have a whole foods just a few minutes from your house! As a regular USA visitor i do love a good wholefoods!
Thank you! Blog Club is great, I’ve loved reading all the blogs this week :) I do like Wholefoods, but I love Trader Joes too..!
Wow. Emma has been asking for snow all year….she doesn’t understand I can’t magic it up.
I’m in live with that bike
Thanks, the boys have loved it – I’d send you some if I could :)
Everyone loves the bike, it is fab!
That looks amazing, I’d love to experience snow like that instead of the ridiculous little bits we get every few years, I can see why the kids were grinning so much, I would have been too :)
It has been great for the kids, and even me to be honest when it’s bright and sunny and looking pretty :)
Wow! That’s what I call snow, and I love the way it doesn’t fall on the paths ;) #letkidsbekids
Yeah, it’s good like that :)