A White Christmas????

Carole · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject: A White Christmas????

For the last three days it had been raining the proverbial 'stair rods' here. It's been damp and misty and forget seeing any view of the mountains through all that. But yesterday morning I could see through the shutters that the sun was shining and all I could hear was the little waterfall 'out back' and I couldn't hear the rain.... yes it had gone - even if it IS due back tomorrow for at least another five days (oh dear).

But when I threw the shutters open, I was greeted by a fresh snow line on the mountains that surround the Valtellina (the valley where I live) - now who wouldn't want to wake up to such things - I ask you? I still pinch myself as I can't believe that I actually LIVE here. I'm just soooooo lucky!

Our village has almost completed the work of building the two street Nativity Scenes ('presepi') we have, and putting up the very simple Christmas lights. These will all be switched on next Tuesday on the 'Day of the Immaculate Conception' (8th December) which is a national holiday here.

The lower snow line is now down to about 3600ft ASL. - here you measure the snow by the lower altitude it falls at. I live at a height of only 1500ft. but the forecast is that next week the snow line will be down to lake level (690ft) and that's well below me. So who knows - we might even get a White Christmas yet!

nuccia · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

OMG..these are breathtaking Carole! Lucky you to have such a wonderful view. I doubt we'll be getting a White Christmas here. Toronto set a record in November. It's the first time it HASN'T snowed in November in 70 years. Two years ago we set one for the most snow in 60 years.

lilbees · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

Carol, beautiful pictures. Hoping for a white christmas for you.

lilbees

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

Carole What a view to wake up to in the morning I think I would be tempted to sit at the window ALL day. The only thing I dont like about snow is I make myself housebound, always scared in case I fall- because they would need to hire a machine to get me up !! Rolling Eyes

and I wont go out in the car either- big coward me!!
Carole I hope you are feeing a bit better. I know how you must have felt when your son went away I feel the same when I come back from France even although they are always at the end of a phone its not the same as having them beside you.
Does Cicco ( hope I've got his name correct) enjoy out in the snow?
You take care and rest when you can
Love and God Bless
Emmy xx

Eleven · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:10 am Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

We had some snow today, here in NY. It was a wet snow..mixed with rain, at first. It only stuck to the grass.

I dont ever wish for a white christmas, because we have to drive to my kids (a half hour). I used to sleep over on xmas eve, but I wasnt getting much sleep, making xmas day very tiring and not enjoyable..so we began to drive home..and then go back. The parkway from here to there, is very winding. There is a road, before you get to it..that has a lake..butted right up against it. You could pobably spit from the car window, into the water. This lake is on my side, as we drive home. I close my eyes till we pass it.

We came home from there in the snow once..what a nightmare. It took us an hour. In october, we went one night, and it only rained. I wouldnt let my husband take that road or the parkway. We went a different way..which took us a half hour longer..lol

Those mountains are beautiful. Like a picture postcard. You are lucky to live there, Carole.

JoeB · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

Carole · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

And yet, small as our village is, the roads are kept clear of snow as soon as it starts to settle. We have a little snow plough that goes from one end of the village to the other almost continuously when it it snowing. The big main roads are dealt with by the large 'Provincial' ploughs - but there is usually so much traffic on them that the snow is turned ot mush almost immediately - unless we are down to minus 25°C or 30°C - then it compacts. But the law up here in the Alps is that you must have snow chains in your car at all times in the winter. OR have special snow stud winter tyres fitted.

There is just NO panic here when it snows - people just get on with it - they are geared up for it. I have a problem (being disabled) in clearing the entrance to my drive so I can get my car out - but the village snow plough will come and clear that for me too when he has the time.

My worst winter up here so far was 2005/06 when I had snow from mid November to mid March. It was over 5ft deep. Here are a couple of photo's of that time taken from my front door - One looking past the car to the entry gate (before the plough got to clear it). The top of the two gate posts you can see are 6ft high.... The second it my mutt being very careful as he had just jumped on the snow and disappeared into it!

Eleven · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:35 am Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

Thats a lot of snow.

I remember a couple of times, we had big snowfalls (a foot or two)..and it drifted against our door. We had a hard time trying to get out..since the storm door opens out..and the snow was against it. Luckily, it seemed to only happen to one door..so you could get out the other one and go around and clear it.

I love to look at snow...especially when its on pine trees. Only, I prefer to do that from the inside, looking out.

It is freezing in NY this morning. 17 degrees with the wind making it feel like 2.

Poipu04 · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

Carole, gorgeous pictures. Well, now all of us on the East Coast of the US know we will have a white Christmas, either with new snowfall or what was left behind this weekend.

Eleven · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

They said no snow for Christmas on the east coast. We are now expecting rain (so they say) on Christmas night.

nuccia · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: A White Christmas????

Yup, us too. It was supposed to be a heavy snow fall but now it looks like light snow and freezing rain. One more reason for me to stay home this year.