Frost

Out on Delivery: Mon 23 Jan

| ginnybain

Today: Ice on windscreen: Ice outlined leaves: First snowdrops of 2023, Church Avenue.

Another icy sharp morning. Diffuse sun made all sparkle but failed to warm. The full weight of National trust catalogues hit today and meant heavy bags and slower trolley deliveries.

The new summer lapsing plan started today and so we are now delivering to Royal Arch Court and Chester Place but no longer to Grove Avenue. It took me a good 5 mins to gain access into Royal Arch Court and the warden seemed disappointed to have lost their usual postie. An intriguing numbering system posed quite a delivering challenge. Should be easier tomorrow…

Out on Delivery: Sat 21 Jan

| ginnybain

Today: Frosty leaf, Ipswich Grove: Frost patterns, Plantsman Close: Frost, Ipswich Rd: Epic bird feeder shadow.

A sunny but cold day. Lots of National Trust magazines to deliver. Exquisite ice patterns and frosty edgings throughout the walk.

Out on Delivery: Wed 18 Jan

| ginnybain

Today: Ice crystals on van: Frost outlined leaves, Newmarket Rd: Frozen leaf puddle: Ice crystals on brick wall, Ipswich Road

Another bitterly cold day delivering. Eyes are mostly on the ground, checking for hidden ice patches. A colleague fell on ice at work in the morning and smashed up her face. When I lift them it is the beautiful furry ice crystals, which linger for the whole day, which catch my eye.

Enjoying my electric van, the quiet of it and it’s cleanlinesses.

Out on Delivery : Tue 17 Jan

| ginnybain

Today: Frost on van: Reflected light shadow, Benjamin Gooch Way: Frosty post, Newmarket Rd: Ice, Harford Manor Rd.

An exciting day, the first day driving a brand new electric vehicle. A cold start (-4 degrees) which meant working out how to defrost the new van. The sun shone all day but still feeling cold at the end of the delivery. Roads quiet and new van quiet.

Out on Delivery: Tue 13 Dec

| ginnybain

Today: Frosty van handle: Frosty plant, Lime tree Road: Textured ice, Allens lane.

Even colder and frostier than yesterday. Many beautiful frosty moments to photograph but so cold that my phone battery dies as soon as I use it. Remembered my ice grip shoe attachments, so easier walking today.

Out on Delivery: Mon 12 Dec

| ginnybain

Today: Leaves on frozen pavement, Ipswich Grove: The saddest sign, The cedars.

A treacherous day out delivering. Black ice turning roads and pavements into ice rinks. We stopped to help cheer a man who had fallen and bashed his head on Christchurch Road, whilst he waited for an ambulance. Eyes to the ground, looking for ice free routes.

My head is filled with cold and I feel rotten.

Out on Delivery: Sat 10 Dec

| ginnybain

Today: Frosty leaves and spiders webs

A very cold day, off to a difficult start as it took three turns of the yard to locate my van (which has just been changed). All the numbers obscured in the heavy frost, too cold for anyone to bother to quip “it’s the red one”.

Frosty leaves were beautifully white edged and sharded spiders webs were visible. So cold that I finished cold despite the thermal layers, hat, neck warmer and extra Jumper. Starting to deliver Christmassy looking parcels and plenty of cards.

Out on Delivery: Mon 21 Nov

| ginnybain

Today: First frost, windscreen of van: Still unable to deliver to no 9 Newmarket Road: A little leaf that floated it’s way into my delivery bag: A favourite bush, Ipswich Road, muting gently into winter.

A difficult early morning meeting where we learn of the changes being imposed on our working day/patterns. More walks to go and the work to be redistributed to all, despite our often unachievable work loads. Moral is low, with more strikes looming.

A tear of happiness shed at the end of the walk seeing my colleagues, seconds old, new baby granddaughter via FaceTime.