Weather- January 2010

[Rodger Whitlock]

The weather is mild enough here that the first flowers are opening on Eranthis hyemalis, both the type and the "aurantiaca" form. But it's wet: I've had standing water off and on in my lowest spot for the last couple of weeks. Though the ground is saturated, more rain would be welcome because it will eventually work its way into the earth and replenish the water table.

I'm not going to boast about this, however, because our period of coldest weather tends to be from mid January to mid February. Touch wood, this year we'll continue to have mild weather. I always look forward to Valentine's Day; by then, if we haven't had seriously cold weather, the chance of it rapidly diminishes. For me, spring starts on February 14.

For those curious about "aurantiaca", I posted a photo last spring:

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3477.msg90172#msg90172

[Sinchets]

You pagan, Rodger. Valentine's Day here is the day the grapevines are pruned, and presumably in the dim and distant pagan 'celebrations' were 'performed' to rejuvenate the earth.

[David Nicholson]

Heavy snow for us tomorrow seemingly.

Seems to have been right too. About 4" (10cm) since lunchtime and still falling

[Maggi Young]

We weren't sure whether the TV weather map was indicating rain or snow  for us ( new glasses arriving soon!) but  she meant "rain"... then  it was right!

[Rodger Whitlock]

You pagan, Rodger.

Does this mean I get to wear antlers, paint myself blue, and jump over bonfires naked on Midsummer's Eve?

Or are Bulgarian customs different?

[maggiepie]

You pagan, Rodger.

Does this mean I get to wear antlers, paint myself blue, and jump over bonfires naked on Midsummer's Eve?

Or are Bulgarian customs different?

I'd like to see a pic of that!!!! 

[Lesley Cox]

I don't think I would.

[Sinchets]

That sounds a bot more northern European, Rodger. I think down here it was more about Mother Nature and Earth Goddesses 

[cohan]

You pagan, Rodger. Valentine's Day here is the day the grapevines are pruned, and presumably in the dim and distant pagan 'celebrations' were 'performed' to rejuvenate the earth.

any pagan celebrations here in mid february will best be performed snugly indoors and out of reach of the earth, which is generally deeply frozen at that time!
all of these seasonal timeposts invented in warmer climates are so misplaced in this climate as to be meaningless--winter beginning in late december? thats a laugh! the days can be seen to be getting longer by valentine's day for sure, but the only visible effect on plants will be those indoors!
the northern alberta orchid society used to(likely still does) have its annual show and sale near valentine's day--i have memories of orchids in double heavy paper bags and anyone with the slightest sense warming the car and bringing it right to the door of the conservatory before taking any plants out...

[cohan]

That sounds a bot more northern European, Rodger. I think down here it was more about Mother Nature and Earth Goddesses 

ah, but i believe the stag (and certainly the ram) are animals of the goddess, whatever later patriarchal cultures may wish us to believe
perhaps your southern rites, once agriculture was established, would have involved rams...
there is a popular brand of pick-up truck here, the Dodge Ram, certain models of which have lovely ram's heads in various places, such as the tailgate handel, or on special ones, as a lovely metal overlay on rear lights! quite nicely designed, and i always call them 'goddess trucks'

[Martin Baxendale]

Snowed in again here this morning by the latest falls and drifts. This is getting boring. 

[Sinchets]

Erm, I think the celebrations may have involved laying down and it is unlikely to be a coincidence that St. Valentines day is associated with 'love' 

[Sinchets]

Martin, be thankful you don't live in the Balkans- land of snowdrops though it may be, a more normal winter here can be 80 to 100 days with snow cover. When you compare that to Canada- well winter there doesn't even bear thinking out. 

[james willis]

For those who asked, the cedar in my photograph which Maggi posted for me, is my wife tells me, and she is the real gardener here, cedar deodara.  There is also a huge c. libani just some fifty yards down the road from the house which is much loved by the resident jackdaws as an alternative to the church and the local red squirrels.

The snow has finally given way to rain which has begun the job of washing away the snow and ice and temperatures are again showing positive values. 

[vivienr]

We are having the worst day of the winter for travelling today, just as we thought things were beginning to get better. There was rain in the night which has frozen on the ground which still has 5-10cm snow, causing black ice everywhere as only a few roads are now being gritted. Buses are suspended, schools are closed. Walking is difficult especially as there are few level surfaces in Huddersfield.

Many vehicles have been unable to stop at the bottom of hills; cars have crashed into two houses and a taxi fell 5m onto the roof of a factory (you probably need to be familiar with the steep towns of west yorkshire to be able to work that last one out!).

The local paper has reported that the local council has had 12 claims made against it in the previous two winters from people injured on icy pavements. 4 claims have been thrown out but the rest are still ongoing. A lawyer states that local authorities have greater protection from prosecution for these claims than business owners or householders would. In current weather conditions in this hilly area I find it much easier walking on the snow than the 'cleared' icy pavements.