Sunny morning clouding over

Saturday produced the coldest overnight temperature (-3.9°C) and lowest average daily temperature (0.1°C) of the year but by just a whisker. 

It was late afternoon when the clouds started to arrive but this probably prevented another frosty night.

Cold again!

Friday was sunny and cold. The temperature hovered just above freezing all day and then fell sharply as evening fell to record our lowest temperature of the year -3.5°C.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Brrrr - It's cold again

A chill returned on Thursday as the temperature struggled just above freezing all day. We had some afternoon sun but it didn't seem able to lift the temperature.

I took the opportunity to sort out my video from our visit to Fairburn Ings the other day. By mistake I must have left the video on record as I switched shots and completely by accident got this scene of the sun setting.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Fruit and Nut

Wednesday was a little cooler and cloudier than of late but dry. It looks like this January might be more on the dry rather than cold side.

The reminders are thick and fast now that the growing season is just around the corner. Hot on the heels of our seed potatoes which arrived last week we now have our seed orders from Kings Seeds and Plants of Distinction.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Our new fruit and nut trees have arrived today from Victoriana Nurseries and these have been carefully unpacked and are in the greenhouse waiting for planting conditions to improve.

Sorting potatoes

Tuesday wasn't a bad day, some sunny spells and mild. I decided to take advantage of the mild weather and sort through my remaining potatoes stored in the garage from last years harvest.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Generally they were in pretty good condition, the only real problem was finding the soft ones damaged from December's severe frosts.

A walk in the park

Monday morning was dull and cloudy but at lunch time the sun came out and we decided to go for a walk around Fairburn Ings our local RSPB reserve. Temperatures for time of the year were about average and it felt mild enough in the winter sunshine.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

It's a pleasant walk along the banks of the river Aire and by the lake through the tree lined path. The path was pretty muddy in places up to ankle deep making for an interesting walk.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Most of the bird life had decided to remain around the feeding station for some easy pickings from the reserves visitors. It's a great location for some close up shots of the birds. It can be difficult to spot which neck belongs to which swan as they squabble over tit-bits.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

Sunday's weather was dull and dreary fit only for browsing seed catalogues and planning next year's crops.

New for Old

The weather changed for Saturday as we swapped the bright sunny crisp weather of the last few days for cloudy, milder weather.

Our new seed potatoes arrived from Alan Romans and after a quick inspection to check their condition they have been placed next to our stored potatoes from last year in the garage. As soon as I dare risk it I'll place them in the greenhouse to chit but they might have to wait until March before coming out of the garage.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

As these seed potatoes went into the garage I took out a bucket full of our stored potatoes Red Duke of York to use in the kitchen. These seem to have stored very well over the winter. Some of these tubers are starting to sprout no doubt a result of the milder January weather. It reminds me that I will need to keep an eye on the seed potatoes to make sure they don't get the chance to produce any long spindly shoots being stored in the dark.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

On their way

Friday was another day with long sunny spells. It was our coldest day of the year with a minimum temperature of -2.2°C giving an average temperature for the day of just 0.2°C.

From 2011 Weather Pictures 1

In the garden the snowdrops are starting to show the first signs of their white flowers a sure sign that spring is on its way.