Trees. And snow. And being blown away by the prettiness.

Finally, I've found a way to enjoy snow. Yes, from a coach whizzing past snow-laden trees! Perhaps not the usual way, but this year I was almost disappointed when the promised deluge (or 1cm) only materialised as 1mm. 

But on my recent trip to Germany and Austria with Stihl I got snow. And lots of it. After conquering my initial snow and shoe fear, and realising that some countries can operate in snow, and from the coach window I made my peace - or some of it at least - with snow.

I mean when it makes trees as pretty as this, it can't be a bad thing can it?

As you can tell, all of these pictures are from the coach window as we sped down the autobahn from Munich to Kufstein, or back again. It's meant there's some window reflections in my photos, which is a shame, but it's also meant I have some photos of some very pretty trees, so I'm thankful for that. I mean, imagine if they'd all turned out to be blurry. Imagine how disappointing that would be. 

Every time I thought I'd captured enough beautiful trees and returned my iPhone to my bag, I'd spot another that I deemed to be even more beautiful. And that's how I ended up with as many tree shots as almost anything else I took in those few days... 

Truly beautiful aren't they? Beautiful in a way I've not noticed our trees to be in the snow here. Next time it snows, maybe I'll notice and be able to compare. 

* While this post isn't in collaboration with Viking or Stihl, it was only possible because of the UK press trip arranged by them. 

Anticipating Spring in a snowy Munich

On Friday I spent an hour in Munich, which all sounds rather decadent doesn't it? And in some ways it was, I had an hour to myself to do with what I wanted and so after checking out a snowy Hofgarten - more on that another day - I headed towards the shops. 

I was in Munich, and Kufstein in Austria the day before, as part of the Viking and Stihl UK press trip, their first, so that was a real honour and a pleasure too. We were treated to great hospitality at the Viking factory in Kufstein, which I'll share more of later, but first back to that hour in Munich.

My plan was to buy some chocolates to bring home, because well, chocolates it's the rules right. But somehow I found myself wandering around Depot in one of the smaller arcades. It was their window displays which drew me in, full of Spring colours and flowers and well, I couldn't help myself.

Magnolias, ranunculus, apple blossom and tulips. All realistic, apart from one thing - their scent. But a real treat to see on a snowy day, maybe a little early, but maybe when the temperature is -10 and lower, you need that hope earlier than we would in the UK. And those temperatures, strangely the cold wasn't unbearable. It's true I had two scarves on, the extra one a big wooly one over my coat, but the air was dry and I think that helped. I wouldn't have given up either scarf though...

MAGNOLIAS

RANUNCULUS

APPLE BLOSSOM

TULIPS, I THINK... FRILLY ONES.

These fleecy throws were a nod to the weather outside. The colour was bright and the blanket stitch detail made me smile. It was lucky that my hand luggage was already filling up, otherwise this shop would have sorely tempted my resolve.

FOR THOSE COLDER SPRING DAYS

NAMASTE

It's amazing isn't it, how Spring-like this display is. But I think we're at least a month away from the real thing 

TULIPS AND BUD VASES

But I did notice there were plenty of butterflies about. In all kinds of colours. Ceramic butterflies, butterfly garlands and butterfly motifs. I've not noticed that here, but then again I've not had a mooch around the shops here either. Are butterflies a trend for this Spring? Have you seen the decorative sort?

BUTTERFLIES

BLOSSOM AND BUDS

These budgie-like birds - I think it's the yellow, green and blue that prompted that memory - made me smile. These were a strong contender for coming home with me, maybe one or three, but I resisted. Mainly because there was a chocolate box shaped space in my bag, and that's all.

THESE REMINDED ME OF BUDGERIGARS, THE COLOURS I THINK

And these butterfly motif tea lighters were gorgeous too, maybe I'll look out for something similar here. Or plan another flying trip, this time for shopping!

BUTTERFLIES FOR YOUR TEA LIGHTS

HOME SWEET HOME

Yes, it's definitely the kind of place where you can make your house a home, and their bags, have I think got it spot on.

THEY'RE NOT WRONG THERE!

Oh, and if you're wondering, of course I bought some chocolates. They were well received but apparently I should have left a larger space in my luggage for a bigger box. Something else to remember on my next trip then!

* While this post isn't in collaboration with Viking or Stihl, it was only possible because of the UK press trip arranged by them. 

Back home and checking on a frosty garden

Well, it's been quite a few days. I spent the end of last week in Austria and Germany with Viking and Stihl and had the best time. I learnt more than I ever knew there was to know about lawnmowers, saw them assembled, heard about the research that goes into making them the best they can be and saw the future of cutting grass in our smart gardens. Never again, will I think it's "just" a lawnmower!
 

Infact I was only there overnight, but we packed a lot into two very full days and I've lots more to share with you. And after two busy days, the weekend was much quieter, but I did get out into the garden to see what had been going on out there. Getting out into the garden is one of my coming home rituals, which may seem odd after just a short time away, but with the chance to take some frosty pictures too I couldn't resist.

It was mid-morning and the agapanthus just outside the back door were still frosty. 

I'm not sure if that's good for them, as they originate from South Africa. And while I may be late in doing this, I've covered them with horticultural fleece now to help them through the rest of this cold snap. I also caught the frost on the fence behind it, and was stunned by the detail.

The box balls were coping better with their frosting.

At this time of year my garden is a garden of two halves. The part closest to the house, and in the shadow of the house cold and this weekend still frosty, and further down the garden where the sun reaches, looking and feeling much brighter. I know that's how it is for our North facing garden but it was so evident standing at the prickly conifer whose greeny-grey was emphasised by the frost.

The grass too had a heavy frost. But as we've no path, I had to walk on it - but I tiptoed and kept where I walked to a minimum, so hopefully it'll be ok. It looked interesting close up. 

Next up I spotted the frosted sedum seedheads which the frost seemed to add an extra dimension. 

And then I realised that if I spent this much time walking up the garden then this would be a very long post. So you know, I'm about two metres off the edge of the patio, so now you see what I mean. 

At the back of the garden the kale, which I've still not planted out despite it being on my December allotment to do list, was also sporting the frosted look. It too had been avoiding the sun, even though you can see it on the trellis at the back of the picture.

In the greenhouse I checked on the plants under the fleece and decided they needed watering. So off I went back towards the house armed with a watering can to find the gun on the hose was frozen. Thankfully the tap wasn't - it's by the chip-basket of the boiler so I was hoping it'd be warmer there - and so I was able to half fill the watering can. 

Checking elsewhere in the greenhouse the box of bulbs I'd dug up and saved when we removed the earth for the circles last summer were starting to sprout. So that's another job for the list, these were destined to go into my flower patch over on the allotment. But I've not dug that either yet. I might have to come up with an interim plan of popping these bulbs into pots so they can grow, and then I can plant them where I want them when I'm ready.

Two of my three chilli plants were still hanging on, I'm hoping the watering will help them, but I suspect I may have picked my last chillies. Considering it's January it's not too bad, is it? I've impressed myself though as for the first time I've grown frozen chillies, so these went straight into the freezer.

My bargain hyacinths from last year have buds on them too, so they're now in the conservatory acclimatising before coming into the living room. And then no doubt when they're at their most perfumed, I'll move them back into the conservatory so I can cope!

Heading back down the garden again, this time armed with fat balls to top up the bird feeders, I spotted the pink flowers of the hosta. Somehow the frost accentuates the edges of the leaves, don't you think?

The black grass which edges the patio was wearing the frost in a striped pattern which was definitely eye catching. On first thoughts I didn't think the grass had grown much from when I planted it, but looking back to last February I can see it's grown more than I thought. And now I can see there's newer plants forming (in this picture to the left of the main clump) but not being the patient type, I wish it'd hurry up and get on with the ground covering job I bought it for.

And finally, my bulbs are growing!  Well the ones, that are in the earth where they're supposed to be and not in the greenhouse. Although I did spot one rebel out there.

So, it's true there are signs of Spring even in our gardens. It may be a little while off yet, but we know it's coming don't we? I've seen daffodils in the shops, but I haven't caved yet as it feels too early, and I want to enjoy the frostiness of winter for just a little bit longer yet, well as long as it comes with blue skies...