Snowing. Not sticking.

It's the first time it has snowed here all season. It's not light snow. This snow is very wet and sloshy. And, it's really coming down. I wonder if the roads will turn to skating rinks...

Pin It

Col du Galibier

It's 2,645 meters (8,678 feet) high and 18.1 kilometers (11.24 miles) long, starting in Valloire. It has an average gradient of 6.9%, with a maximum of 12%. It's the highest finish in the Tour de France. It's the Col du Galibier.

I'm going to attempt to cycle up it in June. I may die. But, at least I'll be in shape!

Pin It

Oast Houses

Oast houses, these brick buildings with white tops (called "cowls"), were historically (as in 17th century) used to dry hops for brewing beer. The fresh hops were spread out inside and the cowls turned with the wind, pulling the moist air out of the building. And, as the best hops were (and are) grown in Kent, most oast houses were built in the Kentish countryside.

Over time though, the number of brewers decreased and oast houses were abandoned for more industrialized options. 

These two have been converted to homes. Unique and beautiful homes.

Pin It

Seasonal Confusion

The winter has been much warmer than usual this year. Don't get me wrong. We've had a fair number of cold days. Just, not as many as we probably should have. The result is that springtime bloomers, like this cherry tree, are blossoming while it's still cold enough for the ground to be frosty late into the afternoon.

Dear plants,
Spring is coming, but it's not here yet.

Pin It

To The Duke

Indy and I love walking from Littlebourne to Ickham, and back. It's a beautiful route through the fields, with very little street-side walking. As an added bonus, The Duke William Inn marks the mid-point. The Duke is one of my favourites, as it has great food and a well-tended fire you can smell from outside. It's the perfect spot to take a break, whether we need one or not.

Pin It

Yes, please.

Dogs Inside. Great not only for design inspiration, but also for eliciting little squeaky awwwwww sounds. Make sure you have the time. It's impossible to stop.

Pin It

The Little Stour & Seaton Lakes

Today, Indy and I walked from The Rose Inn to the Seaton Lakes and along the banks of the Little Stour. It was beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. We could hear nothing but birds and water. Plus, it was great exercise: we walked at a fair pace for 45 minutes and only turned around because the sun was getting low. It made for a great afternoon.

Pin It

The Saxon Shore Way

Today we went for a walk on the Saxon Shore Way, which is "named after the line of historic fortifications that defended the Kent coast at the end of the Roman Era".

We began at St. Margaret's Bay, on the south coast. After climbing a mildly steep set of steps to the top of the cliffs, we walked east, toward Deal. The hills and varied terrain made for a decent workout. What's more, the weather was perfect. It was so clear, we could see France.

With spectacular vistas and a number of open flat spaces, it would be a great spot to bring a picnic.

Pin It

Countless Sheep

Sheep are out in force these days, either eating up crop residue (what's left in a field after the crop has been harvested) or just grazing on grass. We saw these, today, near the Canterbury Rugby Football Club grounds.

Pin It

Hunter Wellingtons

My most practical piece of clothing at the moment. It has been raining, mostly at night, for weeks now. And, though this clearly makes the grass very happy, it also makes the mud very muddy. Of the many things I thought to bring with me to the UK, I am the most thankful to have brought these.

Pin It

So far, so beautiful...

The days are already getting longer and the weather has been fairly clear and mild. Even the grass, though muddy, is still green. Evenings like this make for a great start to the new year.

Pin It