Wednesday 28 January 2009 – Snow

We’ve had around 15cm of snow so far today, with another 10cm due tonight. I was very careful driving Helen to and from work, until she announced ‘If we crash the Honda we could get Frank’s dad’s Camry for a good price’. So I went through a few ‘Stop’ signs, and tried driving on the left side of the road, but to no avail – the old Honda lives for another day and is parked in the comfort of the garage.

(Shame about the bike I ran over in the garage whilst parking up!)

Skiing in Gatineau Park was not the most sensible option today, so Sue and I strolled around the environs of Chateau Woodroffe. Here Sue ambles through the snow whilst I admire the peaceful wintry scene.

We crossed above the deserted Parkway, having to wait ages for any cars to appear on this normally busy road.

Sue eschewed a rest on this bench – despite the balmy -10°C temperature; the snow was coming down like rain, in very small flakes, with quite a breeze, so it was a bit like a mild dose of spindrift on a Scottish hill in winter.

This pair of mallards was trying valiantly to eat snow. Their beaks were caked with it, and Sue thought they were doing a mating dance.

I think they were just trying desperately to survive. (This one's for you, Darren.)

We felt lucky to be able to escape from the cold into Carlingwood Mall. The coffee was good. A kitchen shop sale yielded some unexpected purchases – a mandoline and some electric scales.

Next door the man in the art gallery failed to make a sale but did engage us in pleasant conversation for a good half hour.

Later some TGO Challenge business was conducted – more of that in a future posting; a fine meal was prepared, and we all had a chuckle at this video – Sue’s attempt yesterday to demonstrate our arduous progress along the ski trail on Ridge Road.



This cross-country skiing lark is such hard work, you know!