Snowfall

Winter finally arrived in Tempsford last Weekend. I’m saying finally, because whenever there are snow events in the UK it never really reaches this part of Bedfordshire or makes much of an impact if it does.

On those occasions when we do get a proper snowfall you can be certain that it will be a lot worse in whichever direction the snow came from. I think it has something to do with Tempsford being low lying and so far from the sea in any direction. It doesn’t matter which way the weather approaches, it has largely shot its bolt before it gets here. 

As a result our summers are warm and dryer and we don't suffer from as much weather related disruption as other parts of the country. But cold wet and grey makes makes for a long winter. Perhaps that's why the snow seemed so welcome in Tempsford on Sunday. A bit of variety. Something different from what we are used to and something to break the monotony of Lockdown.

All of that having been said it doesn't mean that we do not feel the effects of the weather that occurs elsewhere. Rainfall further west will usually arrive here via the Great Ouse a day or so later and, as we have seen again recently, puts the river into a state of flood.  Thankfully in my time in the Village the effect on Property here has usually been quite limited although that will be no consolation to those who are affected. It has a massive effect on farmers particularly  those with livestock. 

I’d been photographing the flooding river and the standing water since Christmas. I was doing this with a view to adding a blog post about it.  Not the most compelling of subjects I grant you but let me explain. I had decided I needed to start my Blog properly. I,ve written a few posts but  my web page is really for my Wedding Photography work, something I do part time. The Pandemic has changed things and I am not sure how things are going to work out for photographers. 

I’m interested in Editorial, Journalism and Portrait Photography. A look at my instagram page and you’ll see that I have done a lot at the coast and in Cambridge but not so much locally and so I’d like to focus closer to home. After all it's been almost impossible to go anywhere for the last 12 months.

Back to the here and now. So this was our first ‘ proper ’ snowfall in Tempsford for a few years. It was nice that it arrived on a Sunday Afternoon giving most of us a chance to enjoy it. It started around Lunchtime and Tempsford was quickly transformed. I set out to take some scenic pictures.  

In the space of an hour a solid covering was on the ground bringing a beautiful soft light and gentle contrast to the houses and gardens. Everything was painted onto a canvas of snow. 

I walked the length of Station Road. There were plenty of people doing the same and in good humour, welcoming the snow. Given that we have no choice but to stay local for our daily exercise it broke the routine. As is our way in Britain conversation was about the weather and even the briefest of acknowledgements incorporated a look to the sky or a hands out gesture and a smile. It's one of those things that we love to comment on to each other. It's part of our national dialogue along with Football and Love Island.  

Why do we go out in the snow when common sense says the best thing to do is seek shelter and stay warm?  It brings out the adventurer in us, our inner Captain Scott.  A little bit of masochism? I don't think so. We just want to be able to say we went out in it and to experience it. A simple pleasure that occurs  so infrequently in these parts that we don't want to miss it.

Of course dogs still need walking even if it is cold, wet and icy. As I got to the railway line I met a family who had two beautiful dogs with them. Their colours and markings looked stunning in the snow. I didn’t know the Family but they very kindly let me get a picture of them  before they continued their walk. Thank You to them. 

On the railway line I spotted some men working. They were extremely visible in their bright orange overalls in the miserable conditions. And there's the thing. Your perception of snow is always going to be dependent on what else you are doing. It might be pretty, but it's not much fun to work in. 

I admired those who were towing sleds behind their car. I wasn't quick enough to get any pictures but it looked great fun. It did leave me wondering how the sled stops if the tow car needed to brake suddenly. Perhaps that's it. The tow car stops you. Ouch !

Also out and about in its natural habitat was a Land Rover Defender. Not an uncommon sight in these parts but normally when you see one it's like seeing a Penguin in a Sea Life Sanctuary. It's not quite right. Penguins are at home in poor conditions. and it's the same for a Landy. 

Heading back toward home I stopped by the field with the little ponies in it. They came over to see me. Don't know what they thought I had for them but one of them would not leave me alone.  As I leant over the gate to try and get a better shot of him and his mates he had a go at eating my bag, then my water proof and then my camera strap. When I got down to try and get a picture of him he went for the lens hood on my camera. Enough. I switched to my mobile phone camera.

I ventured very briefly into Birch Wood but the water dripping from the trees was like a monsoon so turned around and headed home to dry my camera out. 

There were plenty of people about and on the whole everyone seemed to be enjoying the snow. Unanimous that it was happening on a Sunday and we'd like to see it gone by the Morning. That of course will only add to the groundwater that we already have. I can't remember a time here when I have seen the ditches and channels so full of water and for so long now. The water simply doesn’t appear to be going away. 

The Snow didn’t go. By Monday Morning everything was frozen. Solid! . At half seven it was saying minus 5. You can be sure it went lower overnight.  A quick walk in Birch wood told the story. Areas that had been deep muddy puddles 2 days before were now covered in ice that was thicker than your finger and In some places thicker still. The sunlight was strong and created beautiful shadows and reflections. 

I left the footpath looking for a photograph and instead found a Badger hole. Covered by grass and snow. I didn’t see it and went straight in up to my knee. Apart from the surprise there was no harm done but it reminded me of just how easy it can be to come a cropper when conditions change and you don't pay attention. 

Later on Monday day I took another quick walk. This time to capture the sun setting over the snow covered fields hoping to get a print worthy shot. The areas of standing water were visible where the wind had blown the loose snow from them. It was very quiet except for voices from other walkers carrying out the breeze and the occasional bird call.  By the middle of the week the snow started to disappear and by Thursday the last remaining patches were gone.