Dover and the College Woods

Here, I have mounted a huge pile of snow on the main street of Durham.

From Christmas10

Jen and I made an excursion to nearby Dover, the oldest permanent settlement in New Hampshire. I wasn't able to find a certain covered footbridge so I took a break on the shore of the Piscataqua River.

From Christmas10

In the afternoon, Jen and I took a hike through the College Woods near UNH.

From Christmas10

It was so gusty in town but pleasantly calm in the forest. We even saw a few cross-country skiers out on the tracks. Have you ever been cross-country skiing?

From Christmas10

This is kind of a "Where's Wally?" photo. Can you find Pinko in here? (It might help to click on the photograph first.) The first correct response wins a prize.

From Christmas10

We turned around at the river but not before I worried Jen that I was on the brink of falling through the ice.

From Christmas10

Next post, I'll write about our trip up to Maine.

After the blizzard

Jen, long-suffering, comes under fire as we ventured out to survey the town after the blizzard of 2010.

From Christmas10

I made a snow-angel.

From Christmas10

It is my best snow-angel yet.

From Christmas10

The gale was so strong that the flag pole yielded.

From Christmas10

Here's Jenny with Thompson Hall in the distance.

From Christmas10

Yes, the snow is still a novelty to me.

From Christmas10

Here is Jen in front of some snow-laden conifers.

From Christmas10

This is a picturesque street-scape typical of New England (feat. Hodgo).

From Christmas10

It was a pleasant surprise to see, that under the right conditions, snowflakes really do exhibit the famous six-fold symmetry.

From Christmas10

On our return, I cleared a little snow from the apartment entrance.

From Christmas10

Back in the warmth, we were able to watch the occasional flurries that continued to blow in throughout the afternoon.

From Christmas10

Boxing Day in New England

Jen and I visited Portsmouth, a coastal city in New Hampshire incorporated in the late 17th century. Jenny and I stopped in the middle of the Pierce Island Bridge.

From Christmas10

I am pictured below with the 18th century Sheafe's warehouse. It being so cold near the Piscataqua river, we ended up going for tea in town.

From Christmas10

Back in Durham, we found the Mill Pond entirely frozen over and were able to walk around on it. However, if we stood near to each other on the pond, that alarming "crack" was audible and surface evinced a renewed lack of structural integrity.

From Christmas10

Back inside, I practised flying Jen's helicopter.

From Christmas10

And then later, we had a few beers and cheered the Patriots on to a very convincing victory over the Buffalo Bills. In the evening, the wind started to whip up and a blizzard came to Durham. I'll post a few photos of the result of this next time.

From Christmas10

Christmas in New England

As this photo makes clear, I still like to open presents at the first opportunity I get on Christmas day. Jenny presented me with a little portable chess board in the same style as the set I parted with to come to the US. My new set is now even more portable; I will be able to honour a chess-challenge anywhere!

From Christmas10

Hodgo evinced a remarkable understanding of helicopter dynamics. She readily hovered and yawed this helicopter and then landed with precision. No fares have yet had to be refunded. We tried using the helicopter outside but, after about 30 seconds, it fell from the sky like a stone. We found that sub-zero temperatures don't agree with the device. Though it's still amazing! (Expect to see a few more photos of this yet.)

From Christmas10

Jen and I roasted an 8-pound chook too, for Christmas, with roast vegies and gravy.

From Christmas10

The beer comes from the Red Hook brewery "just down the road" at Portsmouth. The wine is an Aussie chardonnay.

From Christmas10

Putting off that afternoon nap, we took a walk through the township of Durham. It was easy going with there being just a dusting of snow.

From Christmas10

Jen's Turtle Pond is about 90% frozen now but she plays it safe in the photo below and stood on the grate.

From Christmas10

Next time, I will put up some photos that show us venturing further on to a frozen lake and document our excursion to Portsmouth on Boxing Day.

Christmas Eve in New England

I travelled to New England for the holidays and arrived on Thursday. My journey was lengthened for I mis-heard the PA system on the train. I heard "Exit at the next station for Durham" and leapt from the train. In hindsight, the message was more likely along the lines of "Exeter: the next station, then Durham". Thankfully forgiven for putting Jenny and her friends out for having to collect me from the wrong town, I was treated to a stroll the next day around (the aptly named) Wagon Hill Park, north-east of Durham, NH.

From Christmas10

I found a little frozen patch to prank around on.

From Christmas10

Park of the park is in contact with the Great Bay, an estuary that feeds into the Piscataqua River.

From Christmas10

Near this peninsula, the surface of the lake has frozen.

From Christmas10

Even in the middle of winter most of the bay will remain navigable. Many of the nearby houses have ramps to access the lakes. In the photo below, and to Jen's right, you can see a large pier that has been established for this purpose.

From Christmas10

Next, I'll put up some photos from our Christmas day!

Snow on Notre Dame, IN

It's snowing now, at Notre Dame. Monika took this photo of me on the steps of the La Fortune building. Behind me is the Basilica and the Main building. I am so glad for my down jacket and wool-lined boots. Even at -10 °C and in the snow, it is comfortable out. In fact, as my apartment is well-insulated, I am warmer now that I was at the Fox!

From 2010-12-07

I really enjoy the snow and hope that my fascination lasts. Lots of people, to whom snow is a familiar annual hindrance, don't share my enthusiasm for big winter snow storms.*

From 2010-12-07

*Except for when I need to fly, such as to New Hampshire at Christmas.

Around Notre Dame

Here is my little squirrel neighbour. Since this photo was taken, we have had a few inches of snow. However, this little guy is still active and I saw him perched on the fence earlier today.

From Notre Dame I

The weather was turning cool, so I made use of the hat I received from furhatworld.com

From Notre Dame I

The Main Building supports the Golden Dome, an icon of Notre Dame. That is Jenny on the stairs.

From Notre Dame I

And here is the interior of The Dome.

From Notre Dame I

Another iconic building is the Basilica.

From Notre Dame I

We took a tour of the Basilica. I haven't been to a service here yet but figure that I might give it a shot at some stage. When in Rome...

From Notre Dame I

Jenny and I walked back past the soccer fields to my apartment, marked by a telephone tower. It is a convenient navigational tool and a reminder of man's ability to transmit and receive radio waves for the purpose of communication.

From Notre Dame I

My next post should have some photos of Notre Dame under snow! (I will try to get out for a shoot this week.)

Notre Dame Vs Utah

The University of Notre Dame is home to the largest college marching band in the USA. The band opened proceedings at the enormous stadium prior to Notre Dame's clash with Utah.

From Notre Dame I

Jenny and I had great seats with a good view of the cheerleaders.

From Notre Dame I

Notre Dame, in the gold tights, took to the field and started warming up.

From Notre Dame I

Despite the rain, the stadium was still packed. And as a reward for the ND fans, the Irish got up in a big way over Utah.

From Notre Dame I

Go Irish!

From Notre Dame I

The band had the field taken from them after the game by the students! As this was the last home game for the season, the students were allowed to flow on to the field after the game.

From Notre Dame I

The next day, the weather turned cold but Jenny and I still got out to tour the campus; I will post some more photos, from the Basilica and the dome next time.

Tail-gaiting before the Utah game

Prior to the Notre Dame Vs Utah game, I went "tail-gating". Bean-bag toss was pretty popular. A beer in one hand helps with balance.

From Notre Dame I

Here's a true Notre Dame supporter.

From Notre Dame I

After lunch we headed over to the stadium and passed the "touchdown Jesus".

From Notre Dame I

Next post, I'll post some pictures from inside Notre Dame stadium, shown in the background of the following photo.

From Notre Dame I