Whiteout!

It really isn't often that we have snow here.  What happens mostly is that the weather forecast predicts it, but the weather gods don't follow through.   Today they did, and it has been a lovely novelty.  Luckily we didn't need to drive anywhere - though I think the roads were fine, the electrician came to do a job this afternoon and wasn't snowed in.

There was a sparse sprinkling overnight, barely leaving a trace in the morning.  Farmer fed the Herdwicks in front of the farmhouse.  Then it snowed.  

After lunch it snowed again.  We walked the dogs to Haunn and looked for East, Middle and West through the snow. We were watched by a group of 12 hinds, standing stock still on the hill over the Black Park fence.  

Now it is dark, and the temperature has dropped.  I have my fingers crossed it will still be white tomorrow!

Late afternoon sun

The morning has broken

The full moon descends through the clouds over the Isle of Coll as we drive down to the bus.  The weather is definitely changing.

Tobermory is quiet before 9am, only the occasional gull searching for a taxi.

Lots of empty moorings... it is definitely still winter.

Above Achnadrish, looking up Loch Frisa, into the sun over Ben Talla.

Snow is a novelty for us, making a drive from Tobermory home a bit of a winter wonderland.

As the day progressed the temperature rose, and now the frozen yard is muddy again. In the warmth of the cattle shed, our first calf of 2015 is born.

A snow day

Wednesday morning and a soft pink sky.

As we left to go to Tobermory - errands including taking the recycling bins as there had been a few failed collections by the council and we can't store it forever - it began to snow, softly.

The Mishnish Lochs were still, the surface frozen and light snow falling.

Errands all done, meetings met, and coffee and cake enjoyed in the Tobermory bakery, we headed for home.  The road from Calgary to our turning was slushy, and the temperature was beginning to drop. The light was beautiful.

Before dark the sprinkling of snow had started to freeze, and was delightfully crunchy underfoot.

The sky was clear.

The stars came out.

During the course of the evening, the aurora borealis grew stronger.

Thank goodness for my thick winter boots,  Farmer's thick winter coat, and Christmas present hat and gloves.  It was cold outside.  The road was too icy to consider driving to Croig, so I had to be content with the view over the garden wall.

I took my last photograph about 1am and went off to bed.

Sunrise this morning was a delight.  The road was too icy for the school run, so truly a snow day!

The in-by ewes are now in the field beside Haunn, and they seem very pleased to see the Farmer in the morning.

During the day today, the little snow we had has all but melted.  Shian's roof was nearly finished and the hole for Duill's last window was knocked through.

Farmer went to clear up the rubble and ended the day with a debilitating puncture.