The Christmas card weather came too early

Today was the last day of a rare genuine freeze. The term is regularly used by the media to describe a cold snap of weather, but strictly speaking it can only be called a freeze if the temperature does not rise above freezing for more than 24 hours.

Here in Lickey it has been below freezing for nearly three days, so by this lunchtime the frost was very thick indeed. Frost like this at two o'clock in the afternoon is quite exceptional. It looks every bit as attractive as snow, but without all the hassle that snow brings. It is a scene that would befit a Christmas card, but sadly the mild wet weather returns tomorrow and is forecast to remain for the rest of the year.