Snow In June or September?
Snow in September 2022
This was Snow in June! And now we have it in September (Winter or Spring?)
It was 2012 and the Northern hemisphere was sweltering in unprecedented heat...do your remember it? The Northern hemisphere has had even hotter temperatures during 2022! Was that ever imagined!
In 2012 I was set a challenge to write about 'melting'...those in the heat were thinking of the melting ice creams, the melting crayons and so on from the hot, hot days! While here in New Zealand we were experiencing winter so I thought I'd share the snow with my fellow community hoping to help cool them down a bit!
While that June's snow was not as severe as the previous year's dumping it did cause havoc. Yes, it all melted away quickly! These are photos I took in 2012. I didn't really venture out too much in the snows from the previous year but have a few which you can see below..
Being originally from a hot country (Zimbabwe) I find snow fascinating when it's falling, beautiful when it's settled but oh sooo cold and not too pleasant to be in, especially when it's melting. However, I know that a lot of people love snow...each to their own! And, to be honest I recall at age 11 visiting Switzerland and being fascinated by the snow... I even built a snowman and had a snow fight with my brother. I guess when you get older (not telling you my age!) you view it differently.
I would say it's the melting snow and the ice I find hard to cope with.
This photo showed our entertainment area. Pretty as a picture! We've since moved but it's lovely to remember and be able to look back on.
All photos, unless stated, are taken by and belong to Lyn Bell
Do you like the snow?
No Snowman This Year!
In the winter of 2011 we had people coming out in droves to build a giant snowman in the reserve across the road. He had a road cone for a hat and a stepladder was used to reach his head. Yes, it was that tall! You can see it (from a distance) in the photos I've added below.
Someone even made an igloo in 2011. Sadly I didn't get a photo of that though.
To be honest there wasn't that much activity the next year (2012). Probably because the snow didn't settle as long...yes it melted away too quickly! As you can see there was only a sprinkle of snow in 2022...no snowman to be made!
Yes, this is winter in Christchurch New Zealand - when it snows - it doesn't snow every year of course. However, from my experience most winters we have some snow, that is, until that last dumping in 2012. In fact it's been 10 years since our last snow.
With the earthquakes we had it means there a lot of road cones around the place! Yes, even in 2022 they still decorate our landscape as the rebuild still happens. Wouldn't mind a share in a road cone business! There seems to be even more these days as they are used to mark the lanes on the road and change roads to accommodate new cycle ways! Pot holes do still suddenly appear so cones warn of holes to avoid. What would we do without them!
Have you ever made a snowman?
The Reserve
Walking the Dog
There are certain duties that you must do even in the snow! Jamie loved the snow, but tended to want company so I had to take him out! He led the way...it all looks a bit slushy don't you think? More icy than watery though. And yes, I had a fall or two during the snow.
I'm really not used to walking on ice. You tend to think no one is around but when you go down people dash to help you from everywhere...well, two guys rushed to help! Very embarrassing but pleased to have a helping hand.
We were really lucky to have a beautiful reserve across the road from us. You can see the reserve in many of the photos here. I always thought it was great having such a lovely 'front garden' that was mowed for you! There's even a BBQ area with a shade cloth. The cloth was taken down in the snows of 2011 as it was deemed to be too dangerous as it was sagging down with the weight of the snow. It eventually ripped so had to be repaired anyway. The council put tape and notice around the area before the cloth ripped so that was good. I don't think it would have been very good having that dumping of snow on you...
Snows of 2011
I found some more photos I took in the snows of July 2011 so I thought I'd share them with you too.
The snow is thicker and it definitely LOOKS colder...BRRR.
All the captions on the photos say things like 'from the front door', 'from the bedroom window' and so on...you can see I didn't really want to venture out can't you?
Oh yes, memories captured on film for us to look at in years to come. Especially when we think about the dry days and drought we had in 2015.
