More sun, same snow

Flashback to the first time I ever experienced strong sunlight on snow; it was 42 years ago, my first-ever skiing holiday to Courchevel in France, 1984. Dazzled by the sun reflecting off the pure white powder, and the blueness of the sky at high altitude, it made a lasting impression on me. Prior to that, on the few occasions that it did snow in England, the sky was leaden, the temperature just slightly below freezing, and the snow never lasted long. One exception was the winter of 1962/1963, the coldest and snowiest in living memory (see bottom of this post). However, I remember the sky being much darker than the land

Below: looking south along ulica Kolejowa towards Krężel, the snow drifting in from an open field, driven by a westerly wind. Note the ice, packed down by car tyres. Dreadfully slippery.

Below: the Kormoran thunders through Krężel station, late again (half an hour at this stage), on its way from Olsztyn to Kraków.

Below: onward to Michalczew. I arrive in good time for the train back to Chynów. From the platform, I have a good view of the village. Hidden behind the trees towards the right of the photo is Michalczew's murder-mystery church (still unsolved).

Below: I catch the 12:11 from Michalczew back to Chynów. I find a seat in the last section of the last carriage, the part for carrying bicycles. Seating guaranteed on a day like today. No bikes.

Below: I live at the top of Kodachrome Lane; one of the XII Canonical Prospects of Jakubowizna. Any time of the year – as long as the sun is shining. Walking total today: 14,800 paces.

Below: early January 1963; just before my brother was born. I am outside our house (small figure on the right). My abiding memory was the darkness of the sky; the glass roof of our veranda was covered with snow making the interior of the back of the house much darker. And I remember the cold. Duffel coat, wellington boots, woollen gloves and scarf were inadequate, as was the lack of decent heating in the house. Photo by my father.

This time two years ago:
2023: A year in travel
[In 2024 Google enshittified Google Maps by removing the Timelines feature from the laptop app.]

This time three years ago:
Letters to the Postman

This time four years ago:
Progress at Warsaw West station
[Job finally finished in December 2025]

This time seven years ago:
From West London to South Warsaw

This time ten years ago:
Anger and hate have no place in political discourse
[Dream the fuck on.]

This time 12 years ago:
Is Conservatism rural or urban in nature?

This time 13 years ago:
Poland's roads get slightly less deadly

This time 14 years ago:
It's expensive being rich in Warsaw 

This time 16 years:
Winter commuting in colour and black & white

This time 17 years ago:
Zamienie in winter

This time 18 years ago:
Really cold (-12C at night)