There's No Day Like A Snow Day

As everyone (in the UK) will know, yesterday will go down in history as the day it snowed. As they say, there’s no day like a snow day and this occasion proved no different. Transport was halted, Facebook was snowed under with all the snow updates and pictures, roads were a mess and people’s plans were scuppered as the snow came and settled around the UK. While Sunday’s are usually quiet days for most, others had plans which had to be postponed last minute.

As I may have mentioned before, I was due to visit the Warner Bro’s Studio Tour (aka Harry Potter World) with my mum and her friend however, it was clear after waking up to the blanket of snow outside that our plans may have to be changed last minute and it wasn’t long until they were cancelled all together. Locally, the M40 and the A41 were complete chaos and the emergency services were then warning people against travelling unless extremely necessary. I was gutted we couldn’t go but as it was still snowing among the chaos that was already building up, I had to face the fact that our trip would have to wait until another time. Luckily, after a phone call to the visitor information service, our tickets were rebooked to another day so all was not lost after all (I couldn’t really afford to see that £40 quid go down the drain- especially this time of year!)

So, with our Pottering about postponed until January, it was time for plan B; to venture out for a walk to see the snow and to get those Facebook-friendly snow snaps! Mum thought it would be nice to head out to Hawkslade and see the view of the snow on the farmer’s fields and the Chiltern hills in the distance. First however, we had to get there! This immediately presented me with a challenge. I’m one of those people who likes the comfort of feeling that their feet are firmly on the ground; I hate heights, bridges, those “romantic” swinging fairground wheel things- anything at all that might put gravity to question. Therefore, you can imagine how I was walking on Sunday over already impacted snow! A visual to help you- think of a newborn giraffe with roller-skates on.

My artsy snow/berry photo

Mum was steaming off in her grippy wellies while I walked up the hill tentatively in my very old boots whose grip was starting to fade. Before you berate me for my foolish footwear choices I do not own a pair of wellies, nor do I own a pair of snow boots. Timberland knock-offs would have to do in this situation- maybe Santa will bring me some wellies? Just as I started to try and walk with confidence, I was punished with a slip that almost sent me flying followed by a mouthful of foul language and tonnes of resentful sighing. I loved the idea of going to see the snow, don’t get me wrong, it was just the practicalities. Me and ice have never seen eye to eye……well I tell a lie there actually, me and ice have in fact seen eye to eye, let me divulge…

The scene just by my house

So, it was early and I’m out walking to work after it had been an icy cold night the night before. I knew to be careful but I guess it was my own naivety that told me it wasn’t that bad once I saw the clear roads and pavements. I was on the phone to Matthew as I got to the end of my road walking as normal. Little did I know that ice would soon intervene in my leisurely walk. Just as I was walking around the edge of a puddle I realised I’d made a massive misjudgement. This was the time my Dancing on Ice audition started; legs flailing in a running motion as I fought to steady myself. However, my efforts were in vain as I went down for my falling finale. I landed straight on my hip and that’s indeed when me and the ice literally met eye to eye. 


This all happened right outside my neighbour’s door so while I rushed to get up and laughed hysterically at myself, telling Matthew- who was on the phone the whole time- “you’ll never guess what just happened!” I was also hoping that no one saw what happened or even worse, filmed it! Having said that, I think it would’ve been good to see an action replay of what happened and analyse it like ‘….and this is where my life flashed before my eyes!’. And if anyone did film it and send it to ‘You’ve Been Framed’, do you think I would’ve got a cut of that £250 too? On second thoughts, if anyone has got footage, send it in now! Quickly! Matthew obviously found this whole thing hilarious and since then the phrase “walking with confidence” has been used to refer to the level of danger faced when walking. That day, I was foolishly walking with confidence straight into ice but from that moment, I’d never walk with confidence in ice again. I’ll also say that I was completely fine afterwards. My pride and my hip did hurt for a while but I got away with just a few grazes.

The view from by the farmers fields

Looking out to towards the Chilterns

So, back to Sunday’s action now and we’ve finally made it to the path down to the fields. We saw some kids playing on sleds and running around throwing snowballs enjoying the pure childish joy of snow. I envied them slightly as they were running about without a worry of slipping over and there I was like an old woman watching every step. After mum stopped to chat to her friend from work, we headed down to the fields. We took a few artsy pictures on the way, side stepped some huge patches of yellow snow and soon we were there. As we don’t get snow that often it was lovely to look at the snowy view into the distance. It felt very festive and made for some good pictures too. I was ready to win the hypothetical Facebook snow picture award for sure. Soon it was time to head back where we’d come from which meant braving the treacherous conditions all over again, only this time I knew which bits were the worst so I could avoid them where possible. I was determined to make this snow day a productive one as well as chilled one. I’d put off a few chores in my room for a long time so a snowy Sunday was the perfect time to do them. But first, I had to survive the walk home.

My snowman. Was looking for some eyes for ages and thought "screw it"....

As we were walking back across the field towards home, mum had another bright idea- I should make a snow angel. I got down onto the fresh snow and put in 110% effort flailing about to make the most elaborate angel possible. Mum thought she had got away with not making one but I practically pushed her down myself. Her attempt wasn’t bad but then mine was pretty good too- my young limbs could spread out further you see. Hehehe, sorry mum, maybe next time? After our angel making, we got to the business of a snowball fight. We initially agreed to keep it nice and fair with small snowballs, but with any snowball fight the situation escalates very quickly and all politeness soon goes out the window. Before long we were grabbing half the field’s snow together and smacking it on each other instead of throwing it. Ending the snowball fight was also a tough rivalry and we both wanted to get the last snowball in. I think mum won the snowball fight in the end with a pretty strong face shot. We both fought valiantly but we were now cold and wet and wanted to reacquaint ourselves with the soothing warmth of the central heating.

..And the snow angel of the year award goes to....

My mums attempt at making a snow angel

All in all, I think mine and mum’s plan B snow day went well all things considered and while I didn’t fall arse over tit, I almost did and that is enough for me to worry about it getting down to -8 degrees tonight. All that slush and impacted snow is going to freeze turning innocent looking pavements and side roads into skating rinks. It’s safe to say, I’m not walking or taking Kiki out in that! On a serious note though, stay safe and be considerate of others. I’ll see you back here later this week! Bye for now.