“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire….” ― Edith Sitwell
With farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains starting to set fire to the paddy stubble, followed by weather and local conditions, a couple of days back the Air Quality Index (AQI) has already touched ‘very poor’ for the very first time this season in Delhi/NCR. Although governments are coming up with ways to counter stubble burning, there seems to be no let up and in fact, the situation is more likely to worsen as winter sets in. The entire Delhi/NCR is yet again looking to be covered by a thick cover of smog. And like past years with local sources of pollution already existing, people in the Delhi/NCR region in the last couple of years had at least one of their family members suffering from air-related allergies and diseases such as chronic cough, asthma, etc.
But this year the threat is even more ominous! Doctors and environment experts are saying that extreme levels of air pollution in the national capital during winter is likely to aggravate the COVID-19 situation in the city and pose a serious challenge to the government.
So how do you protect your family and children from this threat? The wise decision is to head for the mountains where the air is pure, threat of COVID-19 is minimum and most importantly cost of living is much less than in cities!
See the difference yourself: A winter scene of Delhi covered by smog.
Why stay at Katie’s Abode, Hartola
For instance, where Katie’s Abode, Hartola is located, it’s a small hamlet with less than a couple of hundred people – physical distancing thus comes naturally, so no threat of coronavirus. At an altitude of 8345 feet above sea level, the homestay is surrounded by thick foliage of greenery, so one can imagine the level of oxygen one can fill one’s lungs with. Add to it the locally grown organic produce right from the fields to the kitchen!
In a nutshell, Hartola is two and half hours away from all the pollution and gray smog. Thus you and your family are greatly protected from the ills of the ensuing winter by the mighty mountains.
Pure unpolluted skyline of Hartola!
In fact we are offering great rentals/tariffs on long-term stays. Give us a call at +91-9990065426 or drop a line with your dates at bookings@katiesabode.in and we will give you some great deals to ensure that you see through the winter safe and sound.
Now that brings us to the question: Are winters really unbearable to stay in the mountains?
When we were building our cottage in Hartola, I used to stay in a rented place so that I could oversee the construction. I had stayed there during the months of November, December and January. Yes, temperatures during these months can really dip compared to the cities in the plains. However unlike in Delhi/NCR when the winter climes turn bleak because one can hardly get to see good sunshine with the low-lying thick layer of smog, Hartola experiences bright warm sunshine. So once the sun is up, just bask in the golden warmth and beat the chill.
After nightfall, the fireplace is best to beat the winter. Sit by the fire and enjoy a book from our library or just chit chat with your family. If you ask me, frankly winter being winter will definitely be cold, but not unbearable as long as you have your woollens handy. Gloves, caps, ear-mufflers, and socks are just the accessories you will require.
So pack your bags, and head for our home. Check-in and let’s start off with a long-lasting relation with a hot cup of tea! Well, it could be over a coffee too!
