Dolomites - In the snow

After almost a month since anything but a fleeting and distant glimpse of snow, we have finally seen it under ideal conditions.

Giacinto and Egidia, our very generous hosts in Conegliano, (in the Veneto), took us into the Dolomites, a special part of the Alps where jagged peaks of the mineral dolomite abound. Snow had fallen overnight but today was fine and sunny , with barely any breeze. Once above the low-lying fog we had just wonderful views of peaks and ridges, forests and fields with a blanket of thick, fresh snow.

In 2009 we had a picnic lunch beside a lake at Misurina. Today the lake was frozen and close to it the ski-tows were running for the Nordic skiers. Parked cars had almost been buried and men were clearing house entries and some roofs of snow. A little lower down the mountains we had lunch at Auronzo di Cadore and walked the streets feeling that although we missed a "White Christmas" we had certainly experienced a gentle and beautiful "white winter".