By Lisa Neale
EXCITED like a schoolgirl doesn’t even come close to explaining the feeling I experienced after seeing snow for the first time, and the fact it was in London, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, made it even better.
Finishing work at Harrods, one of the most quintessentially British places — I caught my first glimpse of the snow falling in the street. Unlike rain, the snowflakes glided softly to the ground — not sideways, or in a heavy downpour, but calmly and blissfully.
The snow itself was glisteningly white in colour, light and fluffy, and instead of running for cover or reaching for the umbrella, I embraced it, walking through Knightsbridge wide-eyed with a huge smile on my face.
My commute home that night took double the time it usually does. Not because the snow had caused delays to London’s Tube system, but simply because I was taking it all in. I pulled out the camera at any opportunity to grab a snap to gloat to everyone back home.
I didn’t feel the cold that night either. The excitement of the snowfall quickly erased the freeze factor. For a first timer, to hear the crunch under your feet as you navigate your way through the snow was truly amazing. The streets were also quiet, as only the very brave ventured outdoors.
To wake up the following morning and to see the street covered in beautiful white snow was also memorable. Rooftops, cars and trees — all covered in a deep layer of snow. Kids were playing in the street carefree, running and sliding through the slippery conditions. Snowmen in all shapes and sizes also appeared out the front of houses.
As I write this, it’s snowing once again, the second time in less than a week — what more can a girl dream of? Only maybe a few degrees warmer…
Read our other London snow encounters:
– Nice to snow you
– An Aussie in the snow
– Let it snow