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It's snowing in the UK

Last year in January, there was one big snowfall ... and it was big. Wimbledon received 12 inches [30 cm] of snow in one falling. Of course, everything was shut down.

This year, we have been getting snow nearly every day since the week before Christmas, though until this week, it was only a dusting here or there [less than an inch].

The big snow and Artic snap [it's -8c or 14F] began in Scotland over the weekend and has been making it's way Southward. On Tuesday, this is what it looked like in
Chesire outside of Manchester where one of my staff members was holed up in her house. They had 7 inches [17-18 cm] and it was still falling.

And this is what it looked like in Barnsley in North Yorkshire and Humber where another of my staff members was stuck in a hotel.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up to 3 inches [7-8 cm] of snow sitting on my car, but the Tube was working, so I headed off to work in Barking. I live in Wimbledon, and if you get on the District Line, 33 stops later, you'll be in Barking. Barking only had a dusting. By 3 o'clock though, the snow had returned and folks were scattering out of the office.

On Thursday morning, I woke up to at least 7 inches of snow sitting on my car and it was -4c [24F], so it was icy to boot. Tube still running, so off to Barking again.

This is supposed to last for the month!

2009 Year in Review

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It was a busy year!

My Back Yard

Okay, I have been home resting for the last two weeks, for the most part, and I have been highly entertained by the feedings going on in my back yard.

I bought a bird feeder that is "squirrel proof". Basically, what makes the first feeder squirrel proof is that it's made of wire mesh. I had one of these before. They are heavy duty, however, the persistent squirrels chewed through the wire mesh. The feed that's put in the feeders by the way, is peanuts. So as you might imagine, whatever gets to the peanuts can put on a lot a weight!

Since I moved closer to the Wimbledon Commons, I have noticed a distinct pecking order in whom has access to the peanuts. It's like the West Side Story unfolding in my back yard.

There are Magpies that are brightly coloured blue, black and white.

There are pigeons the size of chickens.

There are squirrels the size of Chihuahuas that lie in wait for me or Allie to leave the back yard having just interrupted their lunch.

There are Gt Spotted Woodpeckers with red rings on their necks and red butts. They have striking black and white plumage with large white shoulder patches. Red on back of head and under tail. Its presence is often announced by its loud 'kik kik' call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display.

There are parakeets [or parrots, depending on who you ask]. These are birds that were set free or escaped from domestic cages. The weather suits them and they are thriving, living in Wimbledon Commons and Richmond Park.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet, also known as the Ring-necked Parakeet, is a gregarious tropical parakeet species that is popular as a pet. This non-migrating species is one of few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in 'disturbed habitats', and in that way withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call.

Okay, the birds I am really trying to feed are smaller song-birds. So I had to buy them a new bird feeder that is also squirrel proof! Except for the part where the squirrel can just push the top off and reach down into the feeder to eat! Hello-? I have now fixed the top of the feeder with two paper clips!

This one is a robin. It likes to follow people around, like when you are walking or hiking, and then grab the bugs that you stir up.

Okay Allie is pacing, waiting for a walk. Time to get our walking boots on and head for the trees!