Well, I hoped for a less severe winter than last year and I have got it.   Having said that I am delighted to see the arrival of some wintery weather now.  For the past few days the freezing fog overnight has left everything dusted with white sparkling delight which is lasting pretty much through the day.

Added bonuses are that the dogs and horses are not knee deep in mud and we are not looking like early eliminations from Dancing on Ice as we skid our way round the outdoor tasks.

The added frost makes the views absolutely breathtaking and if you have a sturdy pair of boots with good grips all the ingredients are there for a very invigorating walk while taking in the gorgeous landscape and bright winter sky.

And yet in the midst of all this sharp frost and as the lake is now completely frozen there are hints of what is around the corner.  The Kilmarnock Willow is in bud, daffodil shoots are piercing the hard ground, the parsley has had a growth spurt and a rose has had two flowers (definitely during the warmer weather - they don't look quite so good now).  It is not just in the garden - in the woods the bluebells are pushing through in a determined manner and birdsong is on the increase.

So, there is a hint of spring around the corner but it is still a great time to have a few days away in a cosy bed and breakfast.  Get out in the bracing air and give some of those cobwebs a really good dust off.  Then sit in the conservatory and look across the fields as the sun sets and casts that fantastic golden winter light across the fields and woodland.  With a cup of tea in hand and a piece of cake on the plate all that is left to think about is what to have for dinner.

I can also recommend getting outside in the dark to see the clear sky at the moment - stunning and the Milky Way is so clear.  I had forgotten it was ther when I lived in town.  North Yorkshire has got winter glory covered so open the diary and find a day or two to get away for a break.