winters blews

My boots trudge along the crunchy ice laden grass as I make my way to the top of the hill. My coat blocks me from the coldest winds but my nose is an Eskimo explorer and has no shelter.
Every now and then the wind blows and small speckles of frozen water crash against my face as I burrow deeper down into my scarf.

This is winter.

This is Armidale.

For the majority of an Armidale winter you cannot feel your fingers or toes. Maybe they have run off somewhere warmer; to sun bake on a Hawaiian beach or sip cocktails at a Balinese bar. This can make walking and texting rather tricky.

You must layer. My layers are calculated. Socks, tights, socks, pants, singlet (tucked into tights) undershirt (tucked into pants) shirt, cardigan, jumper, scarf, coat, gloves, beanie. Sometimes you don't see your legs for weeks and weeks, as they have been burried under cotton. When eventually they do brave the cold and pop out they will be much hairier than your expected (the kinds of things that scare small children in the night) and you will tuck them safely away, back into their cottony home. Keep them warm and keep them safe from those who wouldn't understand.

Drink tea, read near a fire, cuddle your puppy dog... these are the things you must do if you want to survive it.




(L)