IT IS beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Take a step outside your door or a peep out of your window and the undeniable signs of Christmas are there for all to see.

The ground is peppered with frost while many parts of the country have also experienced their first taste of snow.

It is a curious time when the weather can hinder us but we still, at least part of us, expect as much from time time as it is all part of British life.

Questions like whether schools will be closed to the delight of children and annoyance of parents or whether roads wills be gritted in more rural parts of the countryside are never far away from our lips.

It has always been this way it would seem.

Perhaps this is one of the benefits or downfalls of living in a country with such temperate weather.

For British summers are never usually too hot, certainly compared to countries closer to the equator and our winters are never usually as bad as those countries closer to the poles.

As such the British approach to winter has always been rather haphazard.

This year we can at least expect more chaos and disruption with further industrial action planned by striking rail network staff.

This will of course cause chaos across the country, especially during the busiest times of the year when people are trying to shop for Christmas or return home to be reunited with their families for the big day.

However at least, unlike the weather, we have had fair warning and hopefully everyone is prepared.

Border Counties Advertizer: Cows at Christmas time. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Cows at Christmas time. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: Santa during his recce run for Christmas. Picture by David Mottram.

Santa during his recce run for Christmas. Picture by David Mottram.

Border Counties Advertizer: Alpaca and deer enjoy a cold breakfast. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Alpaca enjoy a cold breakfast. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: Nothing says December like frozen holly. Picture by Neil Henderson.

Nothing says December like frozen holly. Picture by Neil Henderson.

Border Counties Advertizer: This garden aint big enough for all of us. Picture by Tony Wright.

This garden aint big enough for all of us. Picture by Tony Wright.

Border Counties Advertizer: The cold weather has brought out the blackbirds. Picture by Paul Meakin.

The cold weather has brought out the blackbirds. Picture by Paul Meakin.

Border Counties Advertizer: A frosty morning in Llansilin. Picture by Wendy Clough-Jones.

A frosty morning in Llansilin. Picture by Wendy Clough-Jones.

Border Counties Advertizer: Foxholes Pool near Pradoe. Picture by Diane Gray.

Foxholes Pool near Pradoe. Picture by Diane Gray.

Border Counties Advertizer: A swan has some reflection time. Picture by Ginger Togger.

A swan has some reflection time. Picture by Ginger Togger.

Border Counties Advertizer: The hills between Bala and the Vyrnwy Valley. Picture by Tony Wright.

The hills between Bala and the Vyrnwy Valley. Picture by Tony Wright.

Border Counties Advertizer: A misty day for manouvres in Nesscliffe. Picture by Rob Evans.

A misty day for manoeuvres in Nesscliffe. Picture by Rob Evans.

Border Counties Advertizer: Abandoned architecture in Llanymynech. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Abandoned architecture in Llanymynech. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: 19th century living on the Shropshire Union Canal near Ellesmere. Picture by Mary Morgan.

19th century living on the Shropshire Union Canal near Ellesmere. Picture by Mary Morgan.

Border Counties Advertizer: Oswestry under lights. Picture by Tony Wright.

Oswestry under lights. Picture by Tony Wright.

Border Counties Advertizer: The last of the autumn leaves. Picture by John Quine.

The last of the autumn leaves. Picture by John Quine.

Border Counties Advertizer: Weston Wharf Railway Station. Picture by Paul Robert Garrett.

Weston Wharf Railway Station. Picture by Paul Robert Garrett.