Let It Snow..

There are songs about it, films about it and even artwork about it - no one can deny the fact that everyone wants it to snow for Christmas. Why is this? Tradition I suppose... Even as someone from the era when it has only snowed once on Christmas, I still look out of my window hopeful for some snowflakes to fall, just to make the day that little bit more magical.

But what is it about snow that makes it magical? Snow itself is beautiful - there is no denying that. And although in England it often causes havoc when it actually comes, especially in the last few years when the whole of London has come to a standstill due to the shock of large amounts of snow, there is still undeniably something calming about it.

Around Christmas dozens of websites pop up just to let you know the odds of whether or not it will snow on Christmas where you live. For example, at this moment in time there is a 10% chance of snow in London, whereas in Northumberland there is a 30% chance! Either way it doesn't seem likely... But is this the end of the world? No. Last year there was snow on Christmas, and yes, everything looked beautiful. However, we got a phone call from my very elderly grandma who was upset because due to the ice she was unable to walk to her church for the Christmas service. This year we have managed to convince her to come down for Christmas in order to make sure she is able to celebrate Christmas the way she wants. My point is that people want different things for Christmas. For her all she wants to do on Christmas is celebrate the religious side, and the snow caused her to be unable to do this. 

Therefore, although obviously I love snow, I don't think I mind whether or not it snows on Christmas. Imagine all the people trying to get back to their families and being unable to due to the problems snow causes... I would prefer to have a Christmas with no possible problems, rather than a white one. So this year I am not dreaming of a white Christmas, I am dreaming of a perfect family Christmas, and I’m sure that will be magical enough.

But even after saying that, I still would love for it to snow at some point. I have a few things that I love doing when it snows, and which I’m guessing most people do also. However, first and foremost I love taking pictures while everything still looks perfect... It is definitely one of the most beautiful things in nature. After this it is always a surprising amount of fun to run around making a mess of it, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and making snowmen. When the adrenaline of the snow runs out and I realise I am actually freezing it is then time to curl up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate. I'll end this blog with some of my favourite pictures from snowy days...

We All Need A Getaway...

Everyone has that place where somehow all the worries of our busy lives seem to go away. Whether it is at home or some far away paradise, i believe it is crucial to have a getaway. It's come to that time of year for me when it has been a solid chunk of time since i have been away, and i am definitely getting withdrawal symptoms! My want to get away got me thinking about my favourite place to go, where i can relax and not think about anything! For me, that place is an island off the coast of Cornwall: Tresco. For those of you who do not know, Tresco is one of a bunch of islands which make up the Isles of Scilly. For me it is a place i can relax and not think about anything that i don't want to.

With no cars Tresco was the perfect place to go away as a child. It was the only place that i could go where my mother wouldn't go crazy if she didn't know where i was - because nothing bad ever happens there. However, the most amazing part of Tresco is the landscape, even though it is part of England it has a strange climate which allows it to have amazing gardens growing plants you would usually only see in exotic countries such as Brazil. All this amazing landscape makes for fantastic photos. I have been visiting the island since i was a child, so have a huge number of photos, but i am going to pick what i think are the best photos i have taken from this tranquil island and show them here.

Just looking at those photos makes me want to go back right now! Oh well, i guess it is time to go back to reality. I hope you have enjoyed the photos, and that they have reminded you of your relaxing getaway, wherever that may be.