Lacy icing

Well Cara was returned to me this morning and I'm delighted to say that she had behaved very well with my friends and they are very comfortable with looking after her while I am away, so that is a great relief.

There was a sharp ground frost this morning and the rockery outside had a delightful crisp dusting of white icing on top of everything and I took a couple of photos before setting out on the walk. The bracken, which has long since fallen from its lofty heights, was also looking frosted and most attractive. But it was when I went a little higher and along a rather muddy, puddly track that I noticed that the shallow water in the puddles had formed wonderful lacy patterns around the tufts of grasses. I took quite a few photos during which time Bruce and Cara joined me and tried to drink out of the puddles and looked a bit confused as the water was frozen! Anyway I chose the one you can see. The stronger lines looked like slivers of silver amongst the opaque ice, but even the clear areas were frozen when I touched them although they just looked like water. I've no idea why the ice formed into such beautiful opaque patterns around the grasses but it was a delight to see.