But this year Britain had snow storms in April. APRIL! ...a time of year which is normally Spring-in-full-swing ...a period of cool, dewy, sunny days and blossoms. The time of year when crocuses, daffodils and lengthening daylight hours remind us that summer is on its way. Not so 2013.
After months of cold, frosts and darkness, my UK friends were understandably pretty depressed about this. But then I had a conversation with some South East Asian friends here. My tropical pals wanted to know what snow feels like, is it that cold? How does it fall?
Snow here has the glamour and wonder that the palm-fringed beaches of the South China Seas hold for us Brits.
It reminded me of an experience at business school some years ago. Partway through a riveting discussion on probably hurdle rates or decision-trees, it started to snow. Gently at first, then with larger, faster flakes floating down and covering the ground. And out the fire exit rushed half of our class: adult male executives from India, Africa and Latin America - well-travelled professionals, but who had never physically seen snow fall before. They were completely ecstatic, like little kids! In the end most of the class went outside to join in, and we all ended up frolicking in the snowy grounds.
So I guess the lesson here is that next time you're trapped at home by 'bad weather warnings' or ungritted roads, remember that somewhere in the world, someone would love to be there!
ps S E Asians: your topaz seas and endless sunshine might seem boring, but to Europeans it is the stuff of 'dream holidays'!
Fact of the day: Each snow flake is made up of many crystals, like this one. Every crystal has six-points in design, and each - out of billions - is unique. If you go somewhere really cold, like Lapland, you can actually see these individual crystals when they land on your clothing etc! In warmer climates they start to melt before you can do this.
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