A MAN has just skied past the window, but I ought not be surprised. The snow began yesterday afternoon and it has been softly falling ever since. In the early hours I looked out and the village green was bathed in a cold pure light, the whiteness smothering sound as well as cars. This morning the village snow brigade were out with their shovels, Alan forgoing his first cup of tea to help. But no sooner have they cleared a path than it begins to refill. It seems likely to get a good deal deeper.
A few days ago, after the first snows had gone but the ice was still solid, he went out for a walk. He was carrying a mobile phone and a hazelwood stick, topped with a young deer’s antlers. That was my idea of a Christmas present.