Snow

We don't get much snow here being on the coast but the online widget has some cute snowflakes showing up yesterday morning alongside the temperature guage and the forecast for the east coast indicates severe weather warnings .

We take the car nearer the beach as there is no point dragging a reluctant greyhound all the way there on foot with rain threatening when its just around freezing . She hops out and as we slam the doors shut and the wind hits us full blast off the north sea we stare at each other as best we can through half closed eyes and wonder why we are not still in bed . As we approach the hundred and odd steps down to the beach we see a solitary man struggling back up with a large wet golden retriever. As we pass , he can't even bear to wish us a good morning . Its that bad .

Once on the sand we chase the ball as usual and watch the waves chase us . The tide comes in fast and as you jump on the rocks watching the ferry out at see there's the ever present danger of being caught out , up to your knees in water . We still find it hard to resist and keep back , on the shore where its safe . But this morning the water looks so icy .. it takes us all our reserves to get Alice running after the ball , chasing and sprinting and learning the art of retrieval . Before she came to us she didn't appear to have played with a ball or a toy , though now she loves a variety of things , a white kitten , a green monkey , and occasionally she helps herself to a pound puppy from the pound puppy box which was set up for the cats .

On our return she waits in the porch until her feet are dried then takes up residence on the sofa , occasionally sticking her head under a cusion or the fleece blanket if she thinks there is any indication of a further stepping out .

N and I have appointments at Bravissimo in town and the snow starts in earnest , huge soft flakes though coming down fast and furious ; they cause us few difficulties but later in the day my sister texts to say she has been unable to get home to the farmhouse from shopping and has had to take refuge in the pub .

An e mail arrives from Jeri at Iceberg Creations to say that Alice's fleece coat is finally on its way from Colorado . The delay having been caused by snow at their end and an elderly man having demolished part of their post office . It should arrive here in time for the next blizzard . I can't wait . Neither can Alice though I have a feeling the warmest coat going won't endear her to getting her feet wet and her ears chilled .