Winter at Stoneycombe

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We rarely get snow on the Stoneycombe
Occasionally we get a scittering as in Jan 2006

 

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And usually the rivers keep flowing

 

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But there are micro climates

the canal basin, built this year is apparently a frost pocket

solid ICE
pic taken this noon

 

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Whereas just a few feet away, to the left behind that pitosporum tree is a small body of water that is still unfrozen

I wont break the ice in any of the ponds to check the thickness of ice, incase I split the liners

but in a bowl nearby the ice is 2 inches thick

 

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In here the moss & ferns thrive as frost seems to by pass it, probably because it is almost totaly surrounded by a 48 inch high cliff , with just a 12 inch opening

 

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Deep pit seen from ledge path on cliff

with box tree seen sprouting out of hole on ledge ( which catches the rain to water the bush)

 

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Ted Farthing, the quatermaster, on a rare sortie from his stores, tries to get someones attention

 

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He appears concerned about Sam up there

 

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Because if he slips that is a pretty deep body of water!

 

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Sam scrambling up the slope

 

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Another box bush sprouting out of cliff

I usually leave holes 2ins x 2ins when building the wall for any plants

 

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Today transport is by Austin, as ice has affected the track, a sort of freeze UP

there should be a building in front of those pipes :thinking:

 

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Back at the Canal Basin,

there is still frost on the cliffs

 

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Whilst the ice is strong enough to support Ted's weight

 

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but just under the arches there is no ice at all

 

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And while there is water in the drainage ditches

 

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The ice on the Canal Basin is thick enough for dancing . . . .

 

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. . . dancing on ice

 

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Thanks Grant
well as I said it is a freeze UP

this bridge is supposed to be a lift out one, its locked solid in place by ice

 

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As it sits on concrete abutments
the rain sat in it,
then it froze,
now it has lifted about 1/4 inch
causing a step that would derail trains

plus of course the freezing rain has just about filled to the rail tops in places