Picnic in the snow

The weather was just like yesterday. Cold and clear and sunny, warming up a little as the day progressed. We had a slow start, enjoying the sunshine from inside the cottage and then around noon, when it had warmed up to -9°C, we set off on another trip up onto the mountain. 
Up through the forest, out onto the mostly open mountain. We ate our lunch in this lovely spot. Someone had chosen a good place, protected from the wind by the small hill, and dug out the snow bank, creating a bench in the sun. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was warm but it felt comfortable to sit there, drinking coffee and eating a sandwich, with the sun on our faces.
On the way out the wind had been behind us and it felt warm but with our experience from yesterday we knew it wouldn't be like that on the return trip.  When we turned back I added an extra jacket, a balaclava, a buff scarf, and extra gloves. That did the trick and despite the biting wind I felt fine!
Once back at our cottage we were able to sit out on the veranda I dug out from under the snow yesterday, and enjoy the setting sun.
Another day of fantastic beauty in the snow and mountains. Sometimes we feel very lucky and these last couple of days have been like that. Lucky to be able to come here, lucky to get such fantastic weather, lucky to be healthy enough to do such things, and lucky to have a partner who enjoys the same things!!
Janet blipped the view looking out from the picnic sofa. Check it out.