The picture above is taken the day after my previous blog, at 08:00. By that time it had been snowing heavily since 21:00 the night before and my husband had to clear a track for the car to drive out onto the uncleared road as well as brush the snow off the car. The snow continued to cover the ground as he was clearing it!

50 years ago I saw snow at the beginning of October which lasted until April the following year; but then I was living in the mountains. That was extremely early, but although it is the end of October this is early too. By the way it came down heavily with a north wind behind it for nearly 24 hours. This blog is mostly pictures showing very unusual conditions; we live about 4 km from the sea!

But when there is a lot of snow, there are also a lot of birds feeding in the back garden. Notice the lovely autumn colour leaves still on the trees. These two pictures were taken about lunch time yesterday and it was still snowing.

I spent yesterday trying out my last colour pencil drawing on black paper. I’m not 100% sure that I like it, but it was fairly quick – it only took about 8 hours. It would have taken me several days on white paper as I have to make sure that the pigment fills the texture in the paper. In this case I allowed the black paper to create the shadows. Comments are welcome😊. It is another November cactus.

Before I show you today’s photos of the snow, I’ll tell you about an experience I had earlier today.

In my previous life in Norway I was a nurse and always felt I was looked after in my working environment and that patients were generally treated very well. Robin had an experience a few years ago when we were on holiday here; it convinced him that my ‘boasting’ rang true.

This morning I had an appointment at our county hospital. Just before going in I got a text message with a link to use once I arrived; I duly followed the instructions for registering my arrival. I was a little early, but went up to the floor where my appointment was, to be met by a young lady who showed me a screen telling me that I was registered. This was done with an allotted number so my name was not displayed. I was then able to go to the restaurent for a cup of coffee and fresh waffle (Hope Robin doesn’t see this as he loves waffles)and I understood a text message would tell me both when I needed to return to the waiting area and then in which room I would be seen when they were ready for me – there were no delays! I was extremely impressed.

I expect somebody will now tell me this is common practice everywhere!!

Travelling into Tønsberg where the hospital is was a a really lovely drive. Unusually the beautiful autumn leaves are still on the trees and the colours against the snow were fantastic. Additionally, as I was travelling southwards the tree trunks were caked in snow facing north, so the contrasts were amazing. Of course all this made me think of who I could tell about all that I was seeing – of course a blog!

Another view from outside the front of our home. The trees are a Cherry still boasting a few leaves, the Acer and Rose complete with leaves. They ploughed the road yesterday evening, but it’s still not gritted. Salt is rarely used on the side roads.

Below are plants in the garden still flowering. The lettuce is completely buried.