Signs of the onset of winter

[Hathor]

Or maybe winter has already set in!!

Over here in central Europe, we have had five consecutive days of freezing fog, everything is white under heavy frosts and there is an inch of ice on the rain barrel. Unfortunately, there is also inversion so the smog is trapped and people with breathing difficulties are having increased problems.

How is it in your part of the world?

Jon

[Martin]

No such signs here. In the south of England, we are still regularly getting daytime temperatures of 14°C during the day and night time temperatures in double figures.

Martin

[happybonzo]

When I was in the Loire Valley in early September, the leaves were already coming off the trees. Here in East Anglia, the trees have only just started to drop their leaves in the last 2 to 3 weeks. We haven't had any decent strong winds to strip the leaves yet; nor have we had any really cold nights. We could also do with rain as the fields are terribly dry.

[Ben Casey]

It isnt to bad in the North East of England but the trees have lost there leaves I'm collecting them at the minute for compost :)

[Dan XF]

I have a line of oaks at the bottom of the garden. I can see about 10 trees. One has lost most of it's leaves, a couple are starting to turn brown but the rest are still bright green with no sign of autumn.

[rossbird]

Winter thrushes, have been arriving from the continent for several weeks. Always a sign of a change in weather.

Happybonzo, you can happily have some rain from the N/West.
We have more than enough:)

[Silverback]

Huh, do you southerners want our recent frosty nights (although there has been a sudden spike in temps), trees in my back garden are shedding leaves, and we have had quite a bit of rain, lots of temp inversions in the valley.

[jus_young]

Still waiting for winter. Out in the front garden today and watched a bumblebee going from flower to flower.

[Metal mug]

Still waiting for winter. Out in the front garden today and watched a bumblebee going from flower to flower.I know. It's the worst winter ever. :)

[Martin]

We haven't had any frost yet. Not had to scrape the windscreen since February. :)

Martin

[Hathor]

It is my 17th winter in the Czech Republic and the first one wihtout snow before Christmas.

Long may it last!!

[swkieran]

there is something strange going on weather wise,been a barmy 14/15 degrees here in the english riveria heheee

[AdrianRose]

there is something strange going on weather wise,been a barmy 14/15 degrees here in the english riveria heheee

Same here, I drove from Lancashire to Thirsk in North Yorkshire today to see the in-laws and the coolest it was (at 1030am) was 11c the warmest (at 230pm) was 15c !!

Ade.

[Adam Savage]

Coldest I have slept out in is -3 this year. Woke up under the tarp, didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag lol. When it came time to break camp, there was ice on the underside of the ground sheet and on the car, but not much anywhere else.

[Ben Casey]

This one isnt very bushcrafty but years ago when I scuba dived we cut a hole in the ice on the Mohnesee in Germany and went down now that was a bit nippy as I only had a wet suit at 4mm :D Mind you I was young then :(

[Dan XF]

I was walking the dog yesterday and noticed some bees buzzing around a neighbour's cherry tree which is in full blossom and catkins all over a load of trees in the woodland. Many of the trees have buds on them already and one hazel tree still has most of it's leaves still on. I think winter was Tuesday last week and now spring is here 3 months early.

[markal17]

were is the snow lol

[jus_young]

Perfect timing! Went out this morning and for the first time this winter I had to scrape the ice off the windscreen. Still down at 0 deg C (32 deg F) at 9 o'clock. Would get cold now as I'm off to the woods for the weekend!

Still, give me chance to test the DIY underquilt properly but I'm going prepared with extra blanket as I don't trust the 4 season rating on my bag.

just had a thought, GoOutdoors is on the way, tempting when the Rab down bags are on sale...

[jus_young]

Yey, just got back from a weekend in London and spent the last hour and a half of the journey driving through snow :)

Winter, she is coming...

[Ben Casey]

We had snow here today I had to come in out of the garden where I was busy it isnt fair LOL

[jus_young]

Got called out a couple of times today from people with water treatment plants not working. The first was a farmer that had lost the water supply whilst milking at 7 oclock this morning. Got out there and found the whole system frozen up despite being warned when the plant went in two months ago that he needed to put heating in there. His reply was ' I didn't think it was that cold'! This is the stream running off one of his fields

3706

Left the farm after thawing the system out, got down the road a bit and came across this one

3707

These icicles were 6 ft long!

[Ben Casey]

Love it :D

[Adam Savage]

Great pictures Jus, keep em coming :).

Gunna try and get out this weekend (locally) make a bit of a video, take a few pics, zero in the rifle, and have a general nose about :p

[jus_young]

Despite the cold the days are beautifully clear at the moment. Actually enjoying working out in it. Three pairs of socks, two pairs of trousers and four top layers on and you hardly notice it.

[Roadkillphil]

Despite the cold the days are beautifully clear at the moment. Actually enjoying working out in it. Three pairs of socks, two pairs of trousers and four top layers on and you hardly notice it.

Agreed, I work outside most of the time and as long as you tog up, you stay comfortable. Really lovin these cold sunny days :D I'd rather it be sub zero and dry than a bit warmer and hoofing it down.

[Juanodaxis]

This morning started to snow around here.
37083709
I went for a little walk in the woods by where I live. Awesome.

[Adam Savage]

Had a couple inches of snow this afternoon, with light dustings continuing this evening. Will get out tomorrow and try and take some footage and pics :)

Great pics Juanodaxis T^

[Silverback]

How about this for a sign ? The 3 foot of snow Ive been paddling about in for most of the evening

[Adam Savage]

It's a white out! Any non-British folk reading this, knows just how useless we are at dealing with the white, fluffy stuff lol

[jus_young]

No snow here :(

[Silverback]

It's a white out! Any non-British folk reading this, knows just how useless we are at dealing with the white, fluffy stuff lol

It certainly is at 500m asl !!

[Adam Savage]

Sadly no photos or video yet, will try again later. Local roads and lack of traffic, have made it very, very tricky to get anywhere remote enough to be nice. Might try and get down the local lake to see what's around down there.

For now, here's a picture from January 2010...

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47061000/jpg/_47061196_greatbritainjpg.jpg

[Ben Casey]

It is harsh up here LOL :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6822007451_7121d3038f.jpg

[Fletching]

We've only had a few cm of snow delivered in London. I shall be complaining to Harrods personally.

[Adam Savage]

lol. Just got back in from a quick bimble.
Good news and bad news...
Bad news...turned camera on and no memory card.
Good news...carry spare card on keyring.
Bad news...card is only 1G
Good news...managed to get a bit of footage.
Bad news...in 720p HD, that's only 2:30.
Good news...took a couple snaps with the iPhone.

:)

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/oddballs/IMG_0353.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/oddballs/IMG_0354.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/bushcraft%20locations/oddballs/IMG_0356.jpg

The little footage I got wasn't great, but I'll be sticking it on youtube shortly, for what it's worth.

[Ben Casey]

Nice pics mate good to see you got out :)

We've only had a few cm of snow delivered in London. I shall be complaining to Harrods personally.

We cant have the capital coming to a stand still now can we :D

[Adam Savage]

Cheers buddy.




We cant have the capital coming to a stand still now can we :D

Which capital? A,B,C,D,E,F,G.....etc. :p

[Tony1948]

WE'v had about 5in of snow last night ear in south ESSEX,and a charley in the garden aving a mooch around.

[Adam Savage]

Cool. i didn't see any tracks when I was out, only dog tracks, next to foot prints. Maybe the animals are staying indoors while there isn't much grub about, conserving energy.

[Juanodaxis]

Well, I don't know how, but there is no snow in my street anymore. I was talking to my sister in Girona, she said that they have way more snow in there than in here, lol, she haven't seen your pictures guys.

[Adam Savage]

It's been slowly melting here for a few hours, which means it's gunna be slippery tonight if it freezes :eek:

[Silverback]

It's been slowly melting here for a few hours, which means it's gunna be slippery tonight if it freezes :eek:

At least I'll have a quiet night in tonight........injury has seen to that

[Adam Savage]

At least I'll have a quiet night in tonight........injury has seen to that

What have you done to yourself now? lol

[Silverback]

What have you done to yourself now? lol

Twisted my knee... waist deep snow up on the tops last night. Job came in at 2100 some of the guys didnt get off the hill till 0445 !!

[Adam Savage]

I know all about twisted knees lol. Easy done, even in good weather, but makes life awkward for a week or two after.

So a full length shift then? Rather them than me. I'm far happier next to a camp fire with a tinny lol.

[Silverback]

I know all about twisted knees lol. Easy done, even in good weather, but makes life awkward for a week or two after.

So a full length shift then? Rather them than me. I'm far happier next to a camp fire with a tinny lol.
Fourth and fifth jobs of the day for some, some them went on to thier day jobs....voluntary service dont forget

[Adam Savage]

I guess someone needs to do it, but like I said, rather them than me lol. It would help a lot if people went out prepared and armed with knowledge. I know accidents do happen, but some of the callouts are just down to people thinking they can do something without knowing the dangers, or not preparing for the situations properly.

Good job well done for doing it though mate. You're a better man than most. T^

[Silverback]

I know accidents do happen, but some of the callouts are just down to people thinking they can do something without knowing the dangers, or not preparing for the situations properly.

You would be suprised at just exactly how things pan out statistically. A large percentage of stuff done now is assistance to the statutory emergency services as opposed to the ill equipped walker/climber.

[Adam Savage]

But surly the emergency services are there because of other people? So not directly connected, but connect. Or am I miles off with that assumption?

[Silverback]

By assists I mean during bad weather(for example) for instance the Floods in 2007, 2009. Snow in 2010 and last 2 days, Lockerbie, Kegworth just to name a few. Also large scale searches will usually see volunteer services in the background - no badly equipped people there

[Adam Savage]

Oh I see. I didn't think about the natural disaster, man hunt. terrorist attacks, etc. Totally get what you mean now.

[Silverback]

Oh I see. I didn't think about the natural disaster, man hunt. terrorist attacks, etc. Totally get what you mean now.

Not so much man hunt...missing person searches, vulnerable people, people with medical problems, missing kids although there is involvement in 'criminal' investigations too

[Adam Savage]

I know buddy, I just call all cases like that a "man hunt" :), should have called it "person tracking" or "person location" really.

[Silverback]

Do you remember Eddie Magee tracking the Black Panther or are you too young

[Adam Savage]

I think I'm too young for that one lol. Sounds interesting though :)

[Silverback]

Do you remember Eddie Magee tracking the Black Panther or are you too young

No you wont do because it was Barry Prudom he tracked (damn)
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/archive/2005/04/04/York+Archive/7866931.Earlier_manhunts_that_shocked_us_all/

back on track too becsue Eddies son is a Survival /Bushy instructor i believe

[Woodwose]

On the beach this morning, 60-70 geese flying northwards up the north east coastline, a sign winter is ending.

[Martin]

I don't think it ever started down here this year. We seem to have moved straight from Autumn to Winter. I saw rhododendons in flower a month ago and we've only had frost on three days I think.

Martin

[Roadkillphil]

We seem to have moved straight from Autumn to Winter.

Martin

Thats not normal!! How weird!!!!! :p

[Martin]

Thats not normal!! How weird!!!!! :p

Oops!! LMAO, I'm glad that someone reads the rubbish that I write on here. Of course, I meant that it seems to have moved straight from Autum to Spring!! Doh!!!

Martin