Winter Questions

January is the worst month of the year and it is almost over, thank goodness. I guess it is apt that this week’s Sunday Stealing questions are about winter.

Let’s dive in shall we?

1. How do you get past the grey skies during winter?

I am looking out of the window as I type this and can see typical British grey skies hovering above a sodden garden with drizzle in the air to keep the moisture to a maximum. I went for a walk earlier this morning and the drizzle settled on my glasses, hindering my vision somewhat, in what is a seen as a stereotypical grey day for Britain. How do I get past it? I try to be positive by thinking about how I am going to escape it in the coming months. Very soon, I shall be jetting off to a much sunnier climate – I don’t know where yet but I know it will be much better than the miserable views I have had for the past few weeks.

2. Do you like snow? Why or why not?

I’ve answered this recently. No – I don’t like snow at all. In the UK we are usually totally unprepared for it, despite the fact  that it will probably appear soon. Usually it snows sometime in the winter, as early as December but more often than not in January or February. The good news is that so far we have not had any this winter in England at least. The further north you go, the more likely it will be so poor Scotland can always guarantee some snowfall every year.

I don’t like it because usually it is accompanied by cold weather that ends up freezing it underfoot leaving treacherous conditions both for walking and driving. We are so unprepared for it that traffic comes to a standstill, people in remote towns and villages are snowed in and when I walk outside I have to quite literally get my skates on. Horrendous stuff.

3. What are your favourite activities to do during the winter?

My favourite activities are staying inside a cosy house with a roaring fire and winter food or sitting in a cosy pub with a fine winter ale. Why? Because outside it is usually cold, wet and miserable. However, see the next question.

4. What does a perfect winter day look like to you?

Sometimes in the winter the weather is governed by a ridge of high pressure that clears away the grey skies and rain and allows the sun to shine in a bright blue sky. Usually it is absolutely freezing too. Nevertheless, the conditions are usually perfect for a decent walk, wrapped up with a big warm coat, gloves, a hat and smile.

5. What are your favourite meals/food you enjoy eating during the winter?

My diet doesn’t change that much during winter – apart from Christmas of course. Usually we are more likely to cook a stew or a casserole at this time of year. I usually eat more soup too.

6. What is your favourite winter holiday and why?

I don’t tend to go on holiday in winter. I have done in the past but usually to somewhere far warmer and sunnier than the UK. I once went to Oman in December – sadly it was with work – but we managed to sit outside in the morning for breakfast, which was very pleasant. I think if I could afford multiple holidays per year, I would jet off to somewhere hot at this time of year.

If you are talking about Bank Holidays, I guess the only one we have is Christmas – so it will be that.

7. What is your favourite pizza flavour and toppings.

We were talking about winter and we now fly off at a tangent to talk about pizza. How strange. Okay – I’ll go with it. I would say anything meaty and cheesy – a meat feast or cheese feast. Or possibly even a meat and cheese feast if such a thing exists.

8. What are some items in your daily bag/ backpack.

Looks like we are definitely moving away from winter now. The only bag I take anywhere with me is my work rucksack. It contains a laptop (plus accessories), a phone charger, an Ipod and its charger, my spare spectacles, a notebook, several pens, business cards, tissues and, sometimes, my Kindle.

9. Your favourite snacks.

Apples, bananas, flame raisins, plums, nectarines and, less often, sour cream and onion Pringles.

10. Some foreign countries that you would like to visit.

I have been to lots of foreign countries and, believe it or not, there are one or two that I would love to visit. These include: South Korea, New Zealand, Egypt, Poland, Mexico, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

11. What things that remind you of home.

Rain, football, pubs, English countryside, green fields, cricket, Northern hospitality, music, tea, bangers and mash, Sunday lunch and our sense of humour.

12. If you have one, some items from your Amazon Wishlist.

I have a couple of Amazon vouchers to spend in the coming weeks and I plan to spend it on music and books.

13. What was your favourite Christmas gift?

Probably the Amazon vouchers because I can use them to buy what I want rather than things that people think I want.