Just like the story says...

The Para Handy story "Para Handy has an Eye to Business" opens like this :

"It was a lovely day, and the Vital Spark, without a cargo, lay at the pier of Ormidale, her newly painted under-strakes reflected in the lock like a mirror, making a crimson blotch in a scene that was otherwise winter-brown."

And apart from there being no Puffer at the pier (and the  pier itself being somewhat diminished) the words might have been written for today and the lovely sunny winter walk we had along the shores of Loch Riddon, just opposite Ormidale. 

You can find the story in this on line version of "In Highland Harbours" , with thanks to the Australian Project Gutenberg. 

(I think I have quoted this before, but wrongly naming the story.  It is however  checked against  the primary source this time !   My extra photo confirms the temperature too, with icicles having formed round heather strands on a banking by the road)