Slow painting

Wednesday 29 December 2010

The taps


Our last fall of snow in Edinburgh was so light that it was like beaten egg white. Flakes stuck to every possible surface, clinging on to the rough surface of the rubber insulation round these allotment taps. Ribbons of snow hung from twigs, like the original Christmas garlands.


The allotment taps are good value as photo subjects. Back in 2009 they provided an ice garden.

Now there's a thaw everywhere. Stepping outside this morning I could smell the earth, which made me immediately long for spring and sowing seeds and working outside. We are still up on Speyside, so there is a lot of earth around - fields of it just outside the garden. But even in Edinburgh today the scent of the earth will be there. The sky is mild and blue, and it's hard to think that we have what are usually the two worst months of the winter to get through yet.

17 comments:

Mark Willis said...

The taps do indeed make a wonderful photo subject. I daresay it will be a fair while before you need to do any watering though...

fer said...

The snow looks amazing! I want to see some snowing like that sometime. I wonder if it will get like that ever here in Tokyo

clairz said...

When we used to get a January thaw back in New Hampshire, we were always so foolishly hopeful and went barefoot for just a little bit. Then it was back to winter, which sometimes lasted into May with the odd late snowfall. I know what you mean about that smell of the earth. Ah, well, time to get the gardening catalogs out!

We've nothing blooming right now except for my dear little pansies in a planter!

Hazel said...

Thank you for your lovely snow description. As one who lives in a temperate climate and has only seen snow once or twice, your descriptions and photos are beautiful.

Ali said...

I really don't love the cold, but gosh all these wonderful snow photos are making me question my opinions!

Elettra said...

I wish you 12 months of happiness, serenity 52 weekend, 365 days of love, 8760 hours of peace 525600 minutes of success, 31536000 seconds of friendship

Sue Garrett said...

Everything is grey and dirty here now and the thaw is bringing with it burst pipes!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hello again Linda ! .. that is what we call "Sticky Snow" here in Canada I love those taps ! they do make a fantastic subject for all the weather that stays behind ? LOL .. The ribbons of snow are fantastic too !
I do know what yo mean about the smell of the earth and how it creates that feeling for being in the garden .. it will be a long time before we smell anything like that .. but it is nice to read about it and remember that eventually we will also have it here too !
Joy : )
Happy New Year to come !

Oakland Daily Photo said...

I've never seen snow hang like garlands. Lovely.

Thanks for deciding to follow ODP. Wishing you a happy new year and an early spring.

Benikos place said...

Happy and healthy new year 2011!!!

... said...

Great photos, and the snow garland is really nice!

Happy new year to come :)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Linda,
Thanks for visiting my blog. We haven't seen any birds at the feeders yet, but the squirrels have eaten some of the corn cob.

I love these photos! That faucet is cool. I hope the next couple of months go by quickly for us.

Gunilla said...

I wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

Thanks for all your nice comments I really appreciate it.

Gunilla

Jo said...

The last snowfall was only a sprinkling here but it hung around for days as it was so cold. It's all melted now leaving dampness and fog. Happy New Year, Linda. Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2011.

Kris said...

I've seen that draping of snow on trees a few times over the years. Conditions have to be just right. When the snow slips and turns into garlands it pure magic! So glad you posted those pics.

The snow has all melted here... :-(

Enchanted Moments said...

That snow garland is just superb, I have never seen snow in my life, touched it, smelt it, tasted it...nothing................Thats life in South Australia for you...

donna said...

What a wonderful description of the snow fall. I especially like the snow garland photo. Ahhh...the ice garden made for some great pictures.

donna