We’ve been treated this week to cold weather (sub zero), snow, and as of today ice everywhere. The forecast over the last week sounded quite exciting with heavy snow predicted off and on for most of the week. What we got was a few snow flurries, but not much that settled in. They predicted major traffic disruptions on Friday morning and school closures. It seems that this was the case in some areas but certainly not where we were. However it was quite cool to see the dustings over the city and the experience of walking to the train amongst the snow flakes.
We were told when we got here that most Londoners hibernate indoors over winter, but we decided to buck the trend and explore the outside world. A welcome experience after a week of staring at blank faces (on the tube) and looking longingly out of the windows at work. We soon discovered why the majority of people hibernate … it is b***** cold!
Yesterday we went for a walk. Our intention was to walk through Wimbledon Common and into Richmond Park and hopefully see some of the deer, squirrels and fox that habituate the park. However we became a bit lost going through the Common. Everything looks the same when it is covered in snow and the lack of signposts doesn’t help. We asked directions of a very nice gentleman whose instructions went something like, “go straight ahead until you reach Caesar’s Well, and then turn right, don’t go down the hill, and keep the sun over your left shoulder.” This is fine except that we had no idea what Caesar’s Well looked like, the area is filled with hills and hollows and the sun soon disappeared in thick grey cloud. We did eventually find the windmill (not where we were intending to go) and managed to warm ourselves up in the café with a large bowl of soup, just enough to thaw ourselves out a little.
We managed to find our way to Richmond Park, but considering the size of it and the disappearing light (it starts getting dark here at 4pm) we decided to head home. We were surprised with the amount of snow still lying around. We did see a squirrel, and we spotted lots of burrows and holes in the dirt banks on the way home. When we asked who the inhabitants of these burrows were, we were told it was probably the Wombles. Of course. After all we are in Wimbledon.
Just in case we don't get to talk to you before ... have a great Christmas, a fantastic New Year and rest assured that we will be thinking of you.
Merry Christmas, from us to you.
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