Long lasting winter days, longing for spring-February 2018

It turned out to be a long white story in the winter of 2018. Every now and again a day or two with temperatures just above zero, just enough to clear the road from our house to the main road. Apart from the convenience of being able to go to the village it is tempting to drive just a bit higher up to see and catch some breathtaking views on top of the Appenines. 

Even the dogs are excited ;-). We are grateful for our 20 year old 'Leone', the Suzuki we bought from our friend Susie. A good old 4x4 with low gear. A requirement on the steep roads when the weather plays a dirty game. And warm shoes with good grip, just like the tires of 'Leone'. 

Towards the evening when the sky is clear we enjoy the beautiful color scheme thrown by the sun disappearing behind the hill.

I am taking advantage of the winter weather to move on decorating my photo studio to be. Everything I have gathered has been moved from the house to the studio. Even though it is just a start....nothing attached to walls yet, the feeling is good. It has turned into a lovely space. Every time I walk into it a smile appears on my face (I can see it in the mirror ;-)). The first session has been booked and I am keeping my fingers crossed the weather will not change for the worse.

Luck is with us. I am about to photograph my friend Chiara, who works with me as makeup artist, and her friend Nadia. For International womens' Day I have planned some sessions with sisters. Chiara and Nadia have been friends since they were tiny toddlers and feel they are more 'sister' than friend. We are having a great time, using all our skills we can put together holding reflectors, styling hair and off course the makeup. I love the results and so do they. The 'maiden journey' is a succes and I am excited for what the next photoshoot on the calendar. 

In the next few days we are treated to a small tour at Donna Livia Torre Cavina http://www.donnalivia.it. An Agriturismo in a beautiful location above Brisighella. We have been invited by the owners to show us their property and treat us to a 'degustazione' of their wines, hams and salame. They have done a beautiful job and are running their business with passion. By the way, this bubbly rosé was to die for!

Looking back it looks like we were sqeezing in the most in those few days and rightly so as the next snow storms have been announced already. Nobody expects it will be that bad at the end of the month...spring should be arriving soon! Nothing was less true...... few words needed. This time we really need the neighbour with a snow plough to come to the rescue and clearing the stairs became a job to repeat a few times a day 😒. We have to dig out 'Leone' and take her down, hoping she will still bring us up. Unfortunately we have to leave her at the main road after several tries to get back up. From then on we have to walk down the mountain, backpack and all, to go grocery shopping. Who would have thought......but we will take it with a smile, consoling ourselves with the knowledge that this is a very unusual winter for Marradi.

This was only the beginning........

The last try to get back up.....

Day 2........

We are starting to get a bit anxious when we wake up to almost 50 cm of snow near the house. The forecasts are stubborn, more snow to be expected and indeed, it doesn't stop. It snows day and night. Every other day the snow plough has to come up to clear the road so we can walk down. We tried to walk in half a meter of snow and we can tell that that is impossible. Snow shoes needed! Lex is checking the trees along the road for broken branches and apart from taking the dogs for a walk and get some fresh air, finding the beauty in this winter wonderland, we spend a lot of time inside, playing 'futbollino' accompanied with a nice beer, reading, filling up the stove several times a day and warming up in front of the fire place. And hoping this will pass soon.

Garden furniture!

On our way for groceries

A dogs' life.....

Inspection of broken branches

Every other day the neighbour comes to rescue us. 

What else to do when you are snowed in? 

Knee deep in the snow, or shoulder deep?

By now we are not even driving the car anymore. The roads are covered with an icy layer topped with fresh snow. Walking is the only way left to move around, so why not enjoy the beautiful sights?
Life has slowed down and the sound of silence is almost overwhelming.

Last fill up for the heater before we go to bed.