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What started off as a brisk afternoon walk around the front, some four hours later and @AnnaJCowen and I finished off with a lost afternoon of conversation, photography and shopping. This town runs on Wivenhoe Procrastination Time, and it is all the better for this prolonged pace of life.

Our inability to make haste wasn’t aided by the snow. This wasn’t the South London slush that we have had to suffer for the past fifteen years. A fresh, powdery substance lined the streets of Wivenhoe. I had to hold the girl back from getting her snowboard out down Queens Road, reminding her that the area remains a no through road for traffic.

Instead we slip-slided the afternoon away with a spot of shopping at Curiosity, which soon became something of a social party. I know very few people within the town, but it seemed that Fiona’s charming second hand shop on the corner has become the centre of my Wivenhoe social circle.

To be honest and it was the first time that I have spoken to most of these new friends sober. But yeah, Simon, Neneh, Paul and Fiona – cheers for the chat, and, um, chin chin.

A brief catch up with Nigel and Lisa at Cansdale and Ross, and then we hit the Quay. Or rather the Quay hit us, with the onslaught of snow drifting in from the estuary. Now wasn’t the best time to try and capture my Christmas card photograph for this year, but time and tide (and snow) wait for no digital printer.

The plan was to head all the way out to the Creek, fumble around in some virgin snow (aha!) and then take a panoramic shot looking out towards Brightlingsea. Truth be told and we got only slightly beyond the Sailing Club and my blackberry picking location of choice, before thinking bugger this – it’s b****y cold.

A quick snap here and there, and I think this is as good it will get this year. The snow is already starting to melt, although our back garden still has some virgin spots that still need a good fumble in.

Icicles appeared overnight – perfect for the ice maiden that is @AnnaJCowen. Never mind the length, feel the thickness etc. The biggest of the beautiful structures stretches out at just under half a metre.

This has been a severe winter so far for two out of towners who are trying to leave the South London way of life behind. It’s also been a hell of a lot of fun, seeing the kids sledging during the day, and then the wobbly walks back from the boozers at night.

We could do with a Wivenhoe thaw over the weekend, just to ease the passage along the Wivenhoe Trail. A return of this weather would be most welcome in Wivenhoe in a couple of week’s time. Just make sure that the delightful Mother in Law isn’t snowed in to outstay her welcome.

Take it easy out there.