On cold, really dramatically cold winter evenings like last night when the temperature dipped to -24C and the house was hard-put to deny entry to the whipping wind, there's nothing like a fireplace and a good film to suggest snuggling up together to watch an epic such as Akira Kurasawa's brilliant Kagemusha -- another Ran -- as the master of Japanese film documented the years of conflict during Feudal Japan and the ongoing wars between opposing territorial warlords.

Jillie always snuggles in between us, and Jackie occasionally leaps up to join our comfortable huddle, yet preferring for the most part his top-of-the-sofa perches, either behind us on the love seat, or across from us on top of the larger sofa. With the fire blazing and the film riveting our attention our serene surroundings represented a stark contrast to the wild connivances, conspiracies of militant hostilities, clan loyalties and war marches playing out on the screen across from where we sat spellbound.

And then, when it's all over, we totter up to bed, leaving the snugness behind us to find that the cold raging outside has managed to penetrate into our upstairs to the extent that it feels as though we had deliberately albeit briefly, flung open an upstairs window. Quickly dispelled when we enter our bed with its down duvet, to discuss what we'd seen and recall our own fond memories of our time in Japan.

It's been so cold that even layering sweaters under our down winter jackets keeps us warm for only so long and that while our chests may feel snug, our faces become lashed by the freezing, penetrating wind, out in the ravine. Bypassing our usual daily tramp through the snowy woodland trails isn't much of an option, just because of cold and wind, even when there were times years ago when -20C windy days barely penetrated and now they do.

It was -14C yesterday afternoon with a brisk wind under sunny skies when we set off for our woodland walk. Entering the ravine, Jackie and Jillie sprint excitedly down the first of the long hills into the forest, eager to meet the day's challenges. Our enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by those seasonal conditions, however. Although by the thermometer it was several degrees 'warmer' than the day before, it seemed equally cold.

And while on that colder day we'd come across no one else on the trails, yesterday was different. Plenty of others out, both new to us and familiar -- along with their dogs, all pleased beyond feeling the cold, to be able to access that winter playground for people and their companion pets. Nice to see that wonderful natural treasure we hold so dear appreciated by many others.

As for us, we thought it best to once again cater to our need to shelter from winter weather extremes, so we engaged with connecting trails that offered us a shorter loop than we would normally take. And when we finally arrived back home, we were exceedingly grateful for the comfort of the warm indoor temperature that engulfed our frozen faces and hands.