Un-brrr-lievable: Tis the season to be freezin’ isn't it? By Kath Norgrove

Winter portrays images of snow on the ground, and frost in the air. It is always cold or always seems cold. The dry, crisp, cold sunny days are beautiful but the arduous task of scraping the frost off the car in the dark isn't so.

 

However, today is so different. 2022 was recorded as being the warmest year on record and 2023 is starting to look like it might try and beat that. It is mild today after very, very heavy rain which has left a lot of standing water and very soggy ground. I think we have finally topped up our underground water – and more so. The river is certainly up!

 

I am sat outside in early January, not even wearing a coat, having lunch. The rain has stopped, the sun is out, there are blue skies and the temperatures are mild for the time of year. I can hear the birds singing in the trees. There is a light breeze but it's not cold; it's chilly but not cold, like you'd expect for this time of year and the trees are rustling as if in agreement.

 

Occasionally there is a little gust of wind that is cold, but it's to be expected. There's buds coming out on trees and shrubs; they should be dormant. I glance at the blackcurrant bush with lots of buds on it – far too early. However, the Jasmine is flowering a vibrant yellow colour but it's a winter flowering plant so I would expect to see it do that. I sit for a while pondering that. I like my winters served warm, but well, not that warm. I shouldn't be sat here without a coat on but it's not that cold. As soon as the sun goes behind the trees, it's going to be chilly but it's still not really cold.