Finally, the days of roaring wind, and whip-lashing freezing rain against the house came to an end. The temperature soared to 0C, so that, more or less did it. Or so, more or less, we thought. When we got up this morning everything was layered in ice as it had been the day before, only a bit thicker.

It was still windy and icily humid, and of course, a bit treacherous underfoot. But the temperature was rising and it rose to 3C, all well and good. A good time to stay out of the ravine, given the weight of the ice on the bare tree canopy which the milder temperature would be certain to loosen. And of course the wind that had accompanied all that freezing rain would in all likelihood had taken its toll of trees that couldn't withstand that double onslaught.

We had no idea, really, what would greet our eyes, going into the ravine. But since rain was forecasted for the afternoon, we thought we'd better get in there for a walk we'd had to cancel in the previous two days. So off we went. Surprised, yet of course not surprised, to see the litter of thick pieces of ice on the ground that had fallen from the trees as the temperature rose. Reassuring, in a sense, since if all the trees had shed their ice none would be coming down on us, as we got on with ambling along the forest trails.

It was certainly pleasant enough, the air invigorating once we were in the ravine proper and the wind was left up at street level; in fact left up on the street we'd just vacated. Here and there in the forest, immature trees had come down, but nothing really substantial, so that was all to the good. The litter of twigs, torn branches and clumps of pine needles was everywhere.

A bonanza for Jackie and Jillie who must think some superior being helpfully provides them for their chewing pleasure. Come to think of it, that's an accurate enough perception.

The trails that were sheer ice yesterday at -6C, were far less of a hazard today, to our relief. From time to time my husband felt compelled to grab me and guide me down a particularly slippery   portion of the trail but by and large our crampons do a very credible job.

It really felt good to be out in the fresh air. Of course the atmosphere was dimmed by the heavy overcast; silver above, silver below. We saw some tentative little wild strawberry foliage perking itself above the unfrozen soil and humus of the forest floor. Luxuriant mosses are freed and turning brighter green.

Lichen in grey and green, those tiny delicate organisms that must be among the slowest growing things on Earth, seem somehow more prominent despite their diminutive size on the trunk of the old spruce that had come down in a fierce windstorm a month ago.

Before we had quite completed our circuit, tiny droplets of rain began to fall. We had been given a clear window for well over an hour between the freezing rain and the rain. An hour later it was no longer raining, but snowing. Wet snow, but snow, withal.