Unseasonal Snow

It snowed in Christchurch today for the first time in October in 53 years. We were warned to expect a polar blast with snow down to sea level, but there was no snow by the time I went to bed last evening. At 2.30am I looked out but couldn’t see any snow. (It was dark and I didn’t have my glasses on.) RNZ National told me that it was snowing at Sumner Beach and at Halswell. At 5am I could see that our car outside the bedroom window was sheathed in snow, and by the time I got up there was a picturesque covering everywhere in the garden. Some how it doesn’t seem like snow when I haven’t seen the flakes fluttering down, but this was cold and real.

Snow by the front steps

Lilies of the Valley in the snow

Facebook published a request to check on older neighbours, but we don’t have any of those, and no-one came to check on us. Now the sun is shining in a blue sky, but there’s a cold wind outside, and I’m gathering my courage for the 20 minute walk to my exercise class.

This morning with snow everywhere
the lilies did not seem to care

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(P)Seudo Snow

At The Colombo this morning we found they’d decorated the place to look as if there was snow.  We couldn’t help thinking it looked more like Ziggy had been sleeping there.  Our armchairs sometimes have a similar fluffy look.

At Red Current we again thought it could be Ziggy lying there, but closer inspection revealed a cushion.

We visited Spotlight who have an incredible range of all kinds of homeware and crafty things.  Their shop is so different to other upmarket places in The Colombo.

After shopping we needed refreshment, and The Cheeky Sparrow was our choice.  The Colombo has a range of exotic eateries, but this is the only one that offers cheese scones, plus excellent hot chocolate.

“On visiting The Colombo
was not impressed by pseudo snow.”

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Snow and Sea

Snow on the Port Hills combined with clouds and sea to make an interesting picture in blue and white.

“Although the snow was close at hand
we were just fine down on the sand.”

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Wintry Weather

Changeable weather in Christchurch today.  As we left home at 10 a.m. it was just starting to rain.  We paid a hasty visit to the Farmers’ Market, then to the library.  By the time we reached South City it was snowing – large snowflakes that didn’t settle.

Snow at South City

When we came out of the Mall a short time later the sun was shining again, and we could feel its warmth.  Now (just after midday) it’s raining again, with occasional snowflakes (snow flecks?) between raindrops.  Definitely an afternoon for staying inside with a book.

“Some snowflakes don’t stay on the ground
because by raindrops they are drowned.”

 

 

 

 

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Heavy Hail

Loud noises around 9pm last night alerted us to a heavy shower of hail.  We wondered whether it might snow.  When we woke this morning it looked almost as though it had, but in fact it was just thick drifts of hail that had stayed overnight.

Hail on back lawn

Hail on path

I needed to walk with care on my way to work as the paths were icy.  As another pedestrian said to me “We need steady feet today”.  Walking home was easier, because there’d been heavy rain which had washed the hail away.  I haven’t seen any snow, but others have reported flurries, and it’s certainly cold.  We’ve just turned the heat pump up higher, and we’re happy not to be going out tonight.  Keep warm, everyone!

“The hailstorm almost looked like snow
and temperatures have dropped down low.”

 

 

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Snow Storm

There’s heavy snow now in central Christchurch.  The forecast this morning was for sleety showers, and I thought we were going to escape the white stuff.  I left home before 8am, and noticed then that the rain was transforming into white flakes.  Unusually I’d taken the car, and by the time I got to work the snow was starting to settle and I was glad I had the use of a car park under cover.

Only one brave soul turned up for our 8.30am meeting, and she didn’t stay long as the snow continued to fall.  I phoned today’s volunteer staff, left messages for those who had appointments, and headed for home at 9.30am.  By this time the roads were icy, and I didn’t go above second gear.  Travelling at 20km I still skidded a little when I stopped at one intersection, and was very pleased to make it safely home.  My little shuttle is not meant to be a snowmobile!

The garden looked picturesque with a good half centimetre of snow, but I didn’t stop to take photos.  Now I’m inside with heaters on, the kettle’s boiled, and a cup of tea is what’s needed before I tackle the work tasks I’m able to do from home.  I’m amazed to see cars arriving at the Bridge Club, presumably with drivers who didn’t realise how icy it would be here.  A friend in Mt Pleasant says there’s not much snow up there yet.  I hope the bridge players get home safely later.  All those people who stocked up on bread are vindicated.

Keep safe and warm everyone!

“We thought we might escape the snow
but now it’s freezing point, below.”

 

 

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Happy Hibernating

When I left the library at 5pm yesterday it was cold, dark, and raining.  I decided to check whether a bus was soon due, and to my delight one appeared immediately which could take me to within a few blocks of home.  With heavy traffic the bus crawled along Tuam Street, and I was aware I could have walked as quickly, but was glad to be inside, warm and dry, and supporting public transport.

Walking the last few blocks was dreary – it’s unusual for me to be walking home in the dark, but it is almost midwinter.  I’d expected to be going out to meet some friends that evening, but got messages from two to say they weren’t prepared to venture out.  I contacted the others and we agreed to cancel.  This meant I could stay in the warm and watch “Elementary”.  There’s no sign yet of the forecast snow, so this morning it’s off to work as usual.

While typing this (just after 6am) I’ve watched three separate police cars (easily distinguished by their flashing lights) drive the wrong way down Barbadoes Street and into Oxford Terrace.  Is there something sinister going on in our local red zone?  One car is now sitting at the corner, with no headlights on – very strange, but I need to go and have breakfast.

“An evening spent home, snug and warm,
beats going out into the storm.”

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Wintry Walking

Tuesday night’s blizzard brought hail and even some snow.  Wednesday morning there was lots of ice in the back yard.

Icy back yard scene

Knowing that my usual path through Latimer Square would have puddles and ice patches, I decided to take the recently opened path through Cathedral Square and along Oxford Terrace.  I used the controlled crossings, rather than jaywalking on icy roads.

Misleading sign in Cathedral Square

In the Square there’s a new sign, but three quarters of the directions are wrong, with the arrows pointing the wrong way!  No wonder tourists (and locals) get confused.  I’ve sent a message to the City Council asking them to get this corrected, but I wonder how the sign could be approved in the first place.

I look forward to the coming of the Avon River Precinct.
Note the Museum in the sunny distance.

Snow on Sugarloaf, seen from Oxford Terrace

“It’s good to walk a different way
on a cold, wintry Wednesday.”

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Fluctuating Fence

The knotholes in our fence have changed colour with the snow.  The palings are made of pine and apparently the pine gum or sap is concentrated in the knotholes. 

Knothole #1

Because the wood in the holes is a different consistency it has a different reaction to changing conditions, and this is why our old gray fence currently has golden brown knotholes.

Knotholes #2

Nature does some strange things.

“The knotholes have a different hue
Presumably to snow it’s due.”

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Icy Isolation Over

To see the sun today was wonderful.  Last Wednesday was the coldest day ever recorded in Christchurch, with a “high” of 0.4 degrees.  Today the temperature reached ten degrees.  The roads are clear and dry, although pockets of snow remain in shaded areas.  The snow disappeared from most of the garden, but hung around near the north fence where the sun didn’t reach it.

Snowy silverbeet

A few plants were broken, but some flowers have come through unscathed.  Daphne scents the air again.  We’re lucky not to have had tree branches come down, as so many did.  Leaves were raked and swept and the patio soon dried out.  We hung out washing and it dried.  It seems as though life is back to what now passes for normal.   

“Two days we were cut off by snow
with “highs”  barely above zero.”

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