England, Wales and Scotland back into lockdown; children and teachers informed that schools will be closed until mid-February and no exams this year (having been told firmly the opposite on Sunday).
Donald Trump tries to bully election officials in Georgia to slip him an extra odd thousand votes to swing the election result into his column. Brexit becomes a sad reality and we lose our European citizenship.
Meanwhile in la France profonde, we wake up to a less complicated scene–snow, white and still gently falling…..❄️❄️❄️ At first bleary look this morning, I thought it was mist!
A beautiful picture postcard wonderland of good cheer–something our chickens and Shadow (the youngest cat) have never seen.
Indeed, we haven’t seen snow here for at least three years–something quite welcome now after months of gloom and doom.
Black cats on white!
A robin briefly shares the bird table with a young woodpecker–another redbreast–both seen off by an unusually solitary goldfinch and tit:
Three confused French hens.
(They usually range around the garden but today looked dubious and unapproving–and stayed firmly in the covered coop!)
Snow mobility.
Snow slows human traffic but increases flight in the avian world.
“Hey guys–just saw Meredith pour some crushed madeleines and sunflower seeds on the bird table–see you there! Watch out for finches and that black cats though! (Tit telegraph).
Food, glorious food!
It’s an entertaining distraction to Big Tuesday in Georgia.
Meredith put on her heavy duty clogs, grabbed the snow shovel (idle for years, like I said it would be) and her camera, and went in search of beauty.
Here’s what she found, out there:
Robin Ellis 
Are birds supposed to eat sweets?
Beautiful pictures from our Meredith. Happy New Year. XxxNorma
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I have been daydreaming of a return trip to this truly lovely ‘neck of the woods’ and these evocative images just seal the deal. Now, the task at hand is to stay well until we are all vaccinated. Next chore then will be procuring airplane tickets!
Lovely! Happy New Year, Robin and Meredi!
Really beautiful photos. We had 7 inches of snow over the Christmas holiday. It makes everything very magical. My cats were not thrilled by it when I brought some snow in the house for them to look at. LOL
Thanks for this, such tranquil beauty. Perhaps an early gift for your upcoming birthday on January 8th! Wishing you many happy returns of the day in celebration with Meredith, cats and chickens.
Thanks, Hilary.
Love the pictures. Yes, we here in Delaware can’t wait until January 20. I was on staff in his first run in 88. Very good man.
Beautiful!
Happy New Year! The snow in your garden and by the church looks beautiful, as captured by Meredith. It’s not just the chickens who are confused! Stay well and safe. 🙂
Lovely pictures. Soothing to look at. I wish we would have a huge snowstorm on January 6th — I live in Alexandria, Va, just outside Washington, D.C.
Love the black cat padding across the snow! Just horribly cold and raw here in south Devon – none of the white stuff yet.
Just what I was going to say, Mary in south Devon. Is that hoar frost on the trees, or is the snow clever enough to coat the twigs all the way round? It would be nice to have a little bit of snow, but no more Beasts from the East please!
From another Mary in south Devon!!
PS. You share a birthday with my big brother – he’ll be 82, so older than you!
Happy Birthday to your big Bro!
Love your commentary! Happy New Year to you and Meredith and your far-away families!
Beautiful! I love the black cat on snow.
Hello Meredith and Robin – happy to see your blog post. Had been hoping you were safely at home in France; we’ve red news stories of people stopped at airports and borders, unable to get back to their EU home/job from UK due to confusion of what is now an acceptable ID.
Glad you are home enjoying a beautiful snowy day. Thank you for sharing it with us through your writing and Meredith’s beautiful photos.
Gorgeous pictures with gorgeous writing! I feel like I am there (and how I wish I were). Stay warm and dry and thanks for taking care of the birds!
Greetings Robin and Meredith. Your beautiful dialogue and picture portraits are a real “shot in the arm” no pun intended. Joy for the soul..indeed. Keep them coming. Love to you both. Charlotte in Virginia, USA
Thanks, Charlotte.
Beautiful photos! Yes, we woke to the same, although we are a little further north than you, between Limoges and Angouleme. By lunchtime, it can melted away but thank goodness as we had a load of wood due to be delivered apres midi! And it’s true – stacking wood warms you twice…
Indeed it does! Stay safe!
Hi Robin,
Thanks for the lovely pictures! We have no snow here in western New York State, very unusual. But then nothing has been “usual” for a year!
Your pictures took me back to our cooking class in 2014, one of the best times ever. Just heard on TV that the Mediterranean diet is number one in the USA this year. Thanks for your good example and all the nutritious and healthy things we learned to cook.
Stay safe and warm and keep feeding those birds!
Same to you, Susan.
Your beautiful description of a white world was much enjoyed. Somehow a snow fall calms everyone down and the silence is a peaceful interlude. I wanted to share that my blood sugars are too high and your cook books will be put into good use. Be well the two of you and best wishes for a better year for the world. Warmest regards Rachel
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Enjoy your cooking, Rachel! Trust it will bring results.
Beautiful post, Robin and Meredith. Thank you for sharing. I grew up in New England, but now live just north of San Francisco. So I miss the beauty of snow from time to time. Your photos and words bring it back for me.
Beautiful! And thank you for your citizen-of-the-world perspective.
Beautiful photos. Thank you.
Beautiful photos. Thank you.
What a great article and wonderful photos.
Much needed tranquility that only nature can bring to the utter madness that is our world at the moment.
Thank you.
My son’s cat is called Shadow and just seen his first snow too. Beautiful pictures.
Three cheers to you and Meredith for bring such a beautiful post into my world to start the day. I looks a bit like a magical world there, with such pristine snow and how gently it covers the branches. Today is looking brighter here in the States — the Georgia elections are promising (one still too close to call) and if we can just get through today’s action at the capitol without bloodshed, I think I’ll breathe a big sigh of relief. I am so looking forward to a new administration. It won’t mean a cure for Covid and I don’t expect miracles by any means. But if it can help heal our country and let us join the world community again with some respect, I’m all in. All the best to you both.
Very wise comment–thank you. It looks extraordinary and shocking. We’ll sigh that same sigh of relief when it calms down, which it will.
How incredibly beautiful. In South West Wales we have had a few flurries, but being almost on the coast the salt air melts it fast. Very Frosty though, only melting where the sun hits it. Dangerous for the disabled, so although I can see Tesco, I’ll make do with what I have in the bungalow. Freezing fog tomorrow, not pleasant!
Beautiful photographs with a lovely description of the day,We are in Haute Vienne near Bellac and we only had snow for one day so not much chance to appreciate it.it still feels more tranquil here in comparison to the UK news.Wishing you both a Very Happy New Year.
And you too!
I was never a fan of snow but your photos helped me see the simple beauty of this snow scene
Merci
Beautiful, Robin. I really enjoyed reading this. Photos are beautiful. Stay safe, both of you. Joan from Australia.
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Gorgeous, Robin. I’m a Southern California USA gal…but your photos can let me dream. New Year blessings.
We’re in Pyrenees-Atlantique. Lots of snow on the Pyrenees off in the distance. Only flurries here in town. Thanks very much, Robin, for this lovely little vignette.
A very beautiful part of France–it must be looking especially lovely just now.
Hello Robin! How nice Meredith ‘s photos are! Here in Cremona, Italy, it was snowing last week, too! Giuseppe and I want to wish you a happy birthday, today 8th January,! As we wrote last year, we have not forgotten you since 1978, when we saw you for the first time on our TV!!! Have a good health together with your Meredith!!! Rosaria and Giuseppe from Italy
Bless you Rosaria and Guiseppe–thank you. Stay safe.
Tanti auguri dall’Italia. Buon compleanno.
Many Happy Returns Robin! My best wishes for a very happy and healthy 2021. Thank you for sharing your delectable recipes, captivating posts and superb photos.
Those winter shots are stunning! I must admit that our weather here in the south of NZ has been rather winter-like in the midst of summer. However we have little to complain about as there is no social distancing or face mask requirements. We are at liberty to travel around our beautiful country, go to crowded concerts, sporting events and parties. Most importantly we can continue to hug our families. If anything, 2020 has served to reinforce that the most vital thing is to treasure those special people around us (and furry friends too!)
Thank you for being a special person across the other side of the world, who writes as though we were right beside you. Happy Birthday Robin!
Lana
Thank you, Lana, for that lovely compliment. I have a friend who desperately wants to get back to NZ and can’t. I do understand why.
Auguri dall’Italia. Buon compleanno.
Gianni e Euridice
Auguri dall’Italia. Buon compleanno.
Gianni e Euridice
Thanks so much, Gianni and Euridice. I love Italy!
Happy Birthday Robin 🙂
The winter scenes are lovely. Wish I lived in France (especially now!). Such beautiful countryside and architecture, an old world ambience. Again, Happy Bday …. I share it with you, 69 today.
What beautiful pictures, and how wonderful to have snow! We live in Wales and haven’t had any here for 2 years. In Yorkshire, where we used to live, it fell and settled every year. I miss it, but your pictures have cheered me up! Hope the hens have got used to it and are doing well.
I look forward to your posts. You have the knack of offering glimpses of cheerfulness, hope and beauty in the most challenging times. I have enjoyed sharing a little of your life in France for many years but never quite appreciated it as much as I do now. Thank you so much and please don’t stop. Trudi.
Thanks, Trudy. I aim to continue after this pause.
Speaking of Shadow I watched & enjoyed your ‘Shadows Of Fear’ episode ‘Return Of Favours’ last night Robin. A four hander with Jennie Linden playing your lover & George Cole who frames you for the murder of his wife Caroline Blakiston.
You may remember you reunited with Jennie Linden a year later in a similar story, an episode of another anthology series ‘The Frighteners’ called ‘The Night Of The Stag’.
Also recently enjoyed your performance in the Play For Today ‘Bright Eyes’, the plot- “By 1999, Great Britain is part of a true European Community in the midst of a Euro-war”…
Wow! Thank you for reminding me. Where did you find them?
Shadows Of Fear & The Frighteners are both available on dvd.
‘Bright Eyes’ isn’t commercially available though there is a copy on youtube. ‘Night Of The Stag’ is also on youtube, I’ve put the links below-
https://networkonair.com/all-products/1337-shadows-of-fear-the-complete-series
https://networkonair.com/all-products/2613-frighteners-the-the-complete-series
Thanks very much, Dominic.