Snowfall report

Well, after a couple of days cut off from non-essential traffic, we've dug ourselves out and are now accessible once again!  I even managed to do some Christmas shopping in the increasingly well-appointed Bradford-on-Avon whose shops are positively ideal for Christmas gifts, all within easy reach of free car parks.

This recent snowfall wasn't the prettiest example of the white blanket, but here are a few photos from a couple of days ago.  We'll be hunting for a Christmas tree tomorrow, so crossing fingers for a bit of a thaw!

And there were in the same country...

...shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.  Or so the story goes.

A recent arrival to the Iford nativity scene came courtesy of our very kind Bavarian cousins; on a recent visit to the Christmas market in Salzburg, and recalling our small collection of traditional, carved wooden figures, they rang up enquiring whether or not there was a pressing need for any characters from the story.  After a little thought, it was considered that the arrival of a shepherd might complement the ox and ass already assembled in the scene, awaiting the arrival of the key protagonists.  And so it was that a parcel arrived in the post a few days ago containing a small flock of beautifully carved sheep, along with their shepherd (to join the sheepdog which for a number of years had been keeping the ox and ass in line).

You might also wonder what the "stable" is formed from - it is in fact a piece of ivy, stripped of its bark, and sand-papered to give a very smooth finish akin to ivory.  Ivy forms the most wonderful shapes, often joining back on itself as it winds around a tree trunk or stump.  In a separate post I'll put up some images of other ivy creations from cuts taken off trees on the estate - anyone can make them (you just need to find some interesting ivy - ask the owner first though!) and they are wonderfully organic, tactile and engaging pieces when finished.