The three faces of winter have shown their spirit this January. This month we’ve travelled from soft snow feathering through the gardens, to the fierce Storm Goretti that battered the country. Yet as we cleared the storm debris from the garden, spring was quietly arriving, with fresh new shoots and deliciously warm sunshine.
A flurry of snow
The snow flurry was short lived, yet it transformed the garden in an instant from its Mediterranean persona to a magical wonderland. To stand with the feathery white flakes swirling around me was enchanting – rather like the moment I spent standing on the terrace underneath the Wolf Moon.
Passed experience has taught me that I have to be quick to try to catch just a little of the rare white charm in sub tropical west Cornwall. Sure enough as I walked back from the garden into the sheltered courtyards the sprinkling of snow had already run its course. Within five minutes it was gone, yet it left an ethereal fading memory.
Storm Goretti
The warning was to expect Storm Goretti to be an above average gale. In fact it peeked at 110 miles and hour on St Michael’s Mount. We organised our horse, cat and human food, like a complacent squirrel.
That night as the wind mounted, a government emergency alert, of ear shattering proportions came via the mobile phone. I had thought that sort of thing was reserved nuclear attack!
The storm gathered force, like a rapid banshee – firstly the television and then the electricity failed. Finally with the force of the wind trying to push the door of the log burning stove open and the chandelier swaying above it was time to go downstairs!.
The aftermath of Storm Goretti
Our big brave travelling tomcat Samuel Whiskers wedged himself nervously between us and Spud guarded the door. The complete darkness stretched through the hours with no sound except for the hiss of Charles’s treasured oil lamps.
Once the telephone line was lost, our link to the outside word was gone.
Over the next few days we adapted to sporadic electricity supply, hastily boiling a kettle at the first glimmer of electric and once lighting the chimenea in the courtyard to cook supper! It was certainly a grounding experience to be catapulted back from the modern amenities that we take for granted.
The silver lining of spring
We’re gradually clearing the storm debris with the small “in-house” chainsaw before a bigger “man-and-saw” arrives for the major branches. In truth we only lost some branches from the multi-stemmed trees by the gateway. Although I have to admit that they are favourites of mine. Still once the debris is cleared they will flourish again.
There’s so many fresh green shoots now almost dancing out of the ground and it’s a question of guess the flowers. Daffodils, hyacinths, bluebells I’m always enthusiastic about bulb distribution even if I don’t remember where I put them!
This weekend it was a wonderful treat to enjoy the sunshine and enjoy the garden after last week’s storm. The lush emerging growth, veiled in velvety shadows had a special glow. There’s so many fresh green shoots almost dancing out of the ground now and it’s a question of guess the flowers. Daffodils, hyacinths, bluebells I’m always enthusiastic about bulb distribution even if I don’t remember where I put them!
Not actually out of the office!
Thanks to a friend for phoning from Somerset that we were able to update everyone! Reservations arrived by phone once restored and we had no access to e-mail or social media. See item five on my gale survival list. Maybe six would be not to store contact details on the computer!
However the confidence of nature to take back control has been uplifting. Whilst our reliance on modern amenities has been humbling.
Over the course of a short period we really have experienced the three faces of winter.
My gale survival wish list!
- We were lucky to have a log burning stove as a source of heat once the power failed.
- Plenty of candles. I had a candle lantern alight before the power cut. Check out Winter Days and candlelight
- The addition a battery radio is definitely on my wish list for weather forecast and news
- A camping stove (I nearly managed to boil a kettle on the log burner!)
- A topped up mobile ( I only use it for Instagram compatible photos)
- Some bottled water – the next village lost its supply when a pumping station was hit.
- A new thermos flask for hot rinks when electricity is sporadic!
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