Rattling On...

She'll be comin' round the mountains...

Right at this moment there's a little bit of sunshine and the birds are singing. It's snowing as well, but we'll ignore that bit.

The weather wasn't enough to put off visitors to the park at the weekend, or to keep the little train in his hut any longer. It is incredibly cold here still; bitterly, stinglingly cold. The ground is frozen solid and nothing at all is flowering except the poor snowdrops that are the only respite from what still looks like winter.

The blackbirds have been gathering bits and bobs for their nests but, surely, they won't be considering it just yet? I have nothing but admiration for the wildlife which just accepts the weather and gets on with business as usual. I went to top up food supplies the other day and the woman on the counter remarked that we must have the best-fed birds in Britain as they've sold so much seed.

Frank the cat was ill all over the bank holiday weekend, when the vet is closed. Much yakking up and retching, a bit of scary blood. He was a lot improved yesterday, by which I mean the piles of puke had stopped appearing, and this morning ate his breakfast as usual. I suspect hairballs. Or something caught at the vet's surgery last week...

The funny thing is that when Frank wasn't eating, Harry stopped as well in some sort of sympathetic solidarity. I took the opportunity this morning of readjusting the amount of breakfast I put out for them, bearing in mind the vet's comments on weight. I've done similar for the dog, who can't understand it but hasn't got a choice, being too small to even steal much effectively.

Off out now to feed the birds and get really cold in the process...

London bus in alpine avalanche shocker!

The No76 to Victoria has been unavoidably delayed. Possibly because the 76 doesn't actually go to Victoria (I checked ), the driver must have put the wrong number up. Which is why he ended up in the Alps.

But that's not really what this post is about, tragic though it it turned out for them all. No, I just happened to pick up the die cast bus when I was buying something else. As you do. I couldn't resist, even though (or perhaps because) it's very battered, or 'playworn' as things are described these days.

No, what I was getting when the flash of red caught my eye was this...

A rather pretty little work basket. The lady in the chazzy shop said it had been made by a man for his wife some time ago but their house was being cleared and now it has come to me.

It's unlined and I thought I would have a bash at lining it in the Easter break. As the cold and snow is set to continue with us here for at least the next week I must find some indoor interests aside from eating. It also needs a little lifter-offer for the top as at the moment you have to press on one side to flip up the other.

Nice to see a bit of sun yesterday, even if the temperature was -3C at the time and another two inches had fallen previously, more followed and of course it's still coming down now. Which reminds me, better get the bbq scrubbed for the Bank Holiday.

With a shovel and a pick...

I thought I'd better dig out the drive yesterday, even if the snow continues it'll be less work in the end. Some parts were under more than two feet and it's quite hard going.

I was toiling away, and quite enjoying it, when the Sarky Neighbour came out to add his comments. When he saw I'd dug out all the road in front of the house as well as the drive he said 'You'll be chuffed when someone else parks in that spot.' I informed him I would indeed but wouldn't be shy of asking them to shift it. After some more desultory thinly-veiled sarcasm, no doubt as I'd shamed him into action, he went to clear his own drive. Small man syndrome I'm willing to bet.

Earlier in the morning I'd also done a lot of cleaning and felt a reward was called for. In the guise of cake. Nothing earth shattering, just a sponge with pretty lilac icing and crystallized violets. I adore violets, such an evocative smell, such a classy little flower. Tasty as well.

In terms of toting bags of coal and snow ridding, being on one's own is very strenuous. There are no gentlemen any longer, no-one to offer to clear a path or even the whole drive. When I was young it would have been almost unheard of for the women up my road to do such jobs, and I don't think I grew up in an un-liberated manner. It's just heavy jobs are, well, so heavy. But as I spent my youth either digging the garden or mucking out horses I have a good technique with a shovel (love that word-shovel). Being from farming stock means I'm also endowed with a strong back and swimmer's shoulders. Ahh, how I wish I were more aristocratic in appearance. But there you go.

If you would like to see some pictures of what the roads are really like in and out of town take a look here!

A snowy stroll...

I decided to take the stroll into town yesterday, it's a couple of miles each way. I wanted to get some yarn, guess which was the only shop not open? It was snowing all the time, which adds a vintage quality to the photos I think. Here are some of the sights on my little journey...

It was a beautiful day, reminded me of Moscow somehow, especially when I went to a cafe and just looked at the snowy landscape through the window as I sat by a coal fire. We used to go to a place called Shokoladnitsa where they served pancakes and hot chocolate 24 hours a day (and other stuff, but this was our usual). Hot chocolate is literally a tiny cup filled with molten chocolate that comes with a glass of water.

On the way back from town I over heard a couple who were huddled under a bubble umbrella (think Queen Mother) and shouting into a mobile phone 'It's not bloody romantic, it's awful'. Not local and not fans of snow, then.

I know winter seems to be going on and on but honestly, yesterday reminded me how much I love the cold and snow. Which is fortunate as it's still coming down.

Everlasting...

My doors were frozen shut this morning and the snow was packed up against them. The poor dog was bursting to get out and I had to kick a way through befor getting the snow shovel out on duty.

The drifts in the garden are over two feet deep and it's still snowing and blowing a gale. The official reports say we have ten inches of lying snow.

I watched the news last night and they showed places with what they called 'bad snow'. Well, come here. Oh, you can't as the roads are closed...

I actually enjoyed clearing the snow this morning. I've been taking a ruck of vitamin and iron tablets and noticed the effect first yesterday when I walked to school. I got there without feeling exhausted, likewise this morning; I felt like doing more hard work instead of lying down and sobbing. All this on only a third of the iron dose prescribed, it's all I can manage as any more updets my stomach viciously.

I'm off into town later as the bird food has almost run out and I can't bear the thought of my garden visitors going without. Lots of photo opportunities on the way as well!

Hope you are all warm and dry and that this terrible weather somehow bypasses you. I know it's fallen as rain in the south west and is causing much worse problems than a few snow drifts.

Signs of spring...

It's officially spring, and to celebrate we have perfect weather. Roughly six inches so far, blown into big drifts by the bitter wind. Parts of the roads and paths are completely clear, others are knee deep.

School is open for the students who have impending exams, and local staff. Lucky us. I arrived with a face still stinging from all the tiny ice particles blown at it. Very invigorating, or something like that.

These conditions are set to last for the weekend and possibly all next week. All roads in are closed and the supermarkets have been stripped bare. I have a pile of DVDs, wool and a week's grocery shop safely stowed away.

On and on and on...

Yesterday when I got into the car to go to work it was -5^oC. When I got to work it was -1^oC...inside. The brand new heating had failed and it was parky to say the least until they got it operational again.

Today it was much the same outside but much better in! I am fed up of being cold, even taking into account that I prefer winter on the whole. Come on, sunshine, we're waiting. You can start by melting the snow then getting the flowers to come out and the trees to produce some leaves.

Boys' cooking again tomorrow. This time a Full English fry-up. I am dreading the clean up operation afterwards. All that frying spells disaster, that and a lot of pans. Apron and rubber gloves are going in my school bag. Having said that it never seems such a chore cleaning up anywhere other than at home. Does anyone else find that?

Same goes for decorating someone else's house or doing their garden. Maybe it's just familiarity breeding contempt. I am contemptuous of my own housework.

It's all a load of crepe...

It's cold. The heating at work was struggling to keep up yesterday, only really taking the edge off. I do feel the cold terribly these days, when I'm rugged up outdoors it doesn't bother me, but inside I have to be roasting.

This wasn't always the case. I remember in my youth watching football matches in the snow with bare legs and it not bothering me at all. Nowadays that would put me in a coma.

Today, of course, is Shrove Tuesday. We shall be having our pancakes this evening, which will add a nice insulating layer, and then I shan't be giving up anything material for Lent. I've thought about it and really there's nothing other than token gestures I could make. Chocolate, swearing... that sort of thing. I don't do anything to excess really, saddo that I am. Unless you count something like knitting.

I once worked with a young woman whose father was a rather radical vicar. He used to empty the house of all but essentials during Lent, they ate very frugally and he always invited random people he'd met during the day for dinner with the family. She dreaded it every year, though she never cheated even when at work.

I'm not sure that's what it's all meant to be about. There's sacrifice, control, abstention; and then there's a reign of terror.

Anyway, for my own Lenten marathon I shall be attempting to banish all uncharitable thoughts. In other words I shall try to only look on the bright side of everyone and everything. I fear this may be far more difficult than laying off the choccies or not saying bugger.

Cold front. And back...

Countryfile had a bit of a feature about weather sayings on Sunday. As in blowing most of the old wives' sayings out of the water. Except the red sky at night one.

This beautiful sky is this morning's with a hefty shepherd's warning, or to put it the weather man's way, a front is moving in. As opposed to moving away and a red sky at night. On checking the BBC weather forecast I see more snow is predicted for this evening.

It's funny how we check the weather forecast so much, at least people do here. Partly I suppose to make sure we're prepared. But whatever is predicted, it's one of the few things we can do almost nothing about except get appropriate clothing ready.

Other countries have monsoons and typhoons to contend with, or intense heat and cold. Our weather is more of the annoying by virtue of its unpredictability type. We are like a weather theme park.

Welly chic...

Just when you think the wellies can have a rest...

Another good covering this morning, school closed to students, local staff in. It may all possibly turn to rain tomorrow, or then it may not. Whichever, it's still coming down and it's the lovely powdery stuff. I'm thinking the ski-lodge idea is looking more viable all the time!

On my way into school I saw that a young man on a modified quad bike was ploughing the pavements and towing a little gritter. A very good idea, and looked like a fun job to have, being allowed to legally tear up and down the pavements wearing a snazzy fur hat.

There were eleven blackbirds in the tree at the back door before it was even light, noisily shouting for food. They sqabble amongst themselves and make a real racket.  I'm thinking Spring should be fun.

New business opportunity...

There's a need, you see. I know this as a man walked past my soon-to-be-a-ski-lodge at 8am today carrying a snowboard and on his way to the hills not far from me. There has been skiing going on all week round and about, including on the roads (still not cleared or gritted, bin still full...), I fully expect to hear the merry jingle of bells as a horse-drawn sleigh carries revellers to the piste.

This is the second weekend we can't go anywhere out of town as all the roads are closed. Even if the forecast rain starts later, the weekend is a non-starter for anything outside. Excepting snowboarding of course. I can't get the car out of the drive, but as the road has about 10 inces of snow on it I wouldn't be going anywhere if I could.

I've fed the birds, hacked a hole in the pond, checked Crow is about and dug a path to the gate. The only thing for it is to light a fire and get some knitting out.

Hanging around...

It's not gone, and it's still cold...

As I write this the flakes are falling again, we're expecting a considerable amount overnight. But then, if They are to be believed, then we may have a thaw to look forward to. Just in time to go back to work on Monday.

Work. The heating broke yesterday, which was not much fun. We are short staffed and the kids go nuts in this weather. I am working extra next week with a student who needs catch-up sessions after school. There are already too few hours in a day.

In my last post I said the post box would be my snow-ometer. Next door's icicle in my header will now be my ice-ometer. On Monday, which is when the header shot was taken, the icicle didn't reach more than maybe 18 inches. Look at it right now...

...well over four foot. Fortunately it's not quite above their door, but if I were the proud possessor of such a beast I'd have dispatched it by now. Just in case.

Cold snap...

There has been a hard, hard frost for the past few days. -7^oon getting into the car yesterday morning. A car that seems to be hell bent on self destructing. A puncture on Monday then door failure yesterday, when the driver's lock failed and I couldn't close the door or lock it. Off to the dealership again after work today.

I ordered a nice new bit of kit for the dining room and arrived home yesterday, dumping the weekly grocery shop in the hall when I saw it was here. Unpacked it to find it was broken, well and truly. Rang the shop who were very iffy about taking it back, when the damage has obviously been caused at a warehouse. Supposedly changing it tomorrow...then I can reveal it.

Wednesday night a friend and I went to Chatsworth for a behind-the=scenes tour of the farm shop. Very interesting, with demos and tastings but not much in the way of photo opportunities- though they didn't object to my camera in the least. Before that though said friend rang up in a panic.

her water had gone down to a trickle and she was a) worried about the boiler and b) worried about the gushing fountain coming from the kitchen mixer tap. Which she had managed to break when over-turning it to see if it was broken and that's why there was no water.

I said a) turn off the water supply, hence stopping the leaking tap and b) phone the water company as if you have downstairs water and none upstairs it's an inlet pressure problem. I then grabbed two adjustable spanners and went round (at her request).

I arrived to find the water still gushing, which I thought most odd as she said she'd switched off the water. Further investigation discovered she had in fact turned off the gas. She'd also phoned the water company and heard a recorded message confirming there was a major burst in the area causing loss of water pressure. I put the tap back together, showed her where the stop cock was for future reference (been there in this house, when no-one could find it and it had been boxed into the kitchen cabinets) and we threw some bath towels onto the floor so we could go out and her husband could deal with it when he got home!

So, lots of breaking and a bit of mending this week.

Thank goodness it's the weekend...

Well, we didn't get the promised snow; we got 'freezing rain' instead. Although this sounds like an oxymoron it does exactly what it says on the tin.

A sort of sheen of rain covers everything in ice. And I mean everything, even the walls are coated. The trees creak and rustle and sound quite spooky. They look lovely, as if little jewels are hanging all over them.

Yesterday morning, though, it didn't seem quite so beautiful. The roads were (and still are for the large part) sheet ice. Two buses and the gritting lorry were stuck outside school, where the carparks were closed so all the staff had to park at the roadside- causing further chaos.

But that wasn't the worst of yesterday morning... I took No2 to school because of the state of the footpaths, not factoring in that outside her school would be just as bad. I had to turn the car in the middle of the road; I put it into reverse and pulled back a tiny bit, I was just about to make the second part of the three point turn when, like a good driver, I checked my rear-view mirror.

I saw the blur of black coat at roughly the same time as I heard something hit the back of the car. I had the handbrake on and the engine off faster than I would have thought possible.

A boy had decided to run across the road and had slipped on the ice, straight under the back of my car. Which, thank God, wasn't moving. He leaped to his feet and I got to him as he was trying to run off, I think he thought I was going to shout at him. We were both shocked and he kept repeating 'It's ok, I fell, you didn't hit me' while I was trying to expalin that regardless of how it had happened I was worried about him and whether he was hurt. I was still shaking a couple of hours later.

At the end of the day nothing had changed, the paths and roads were still treacherous. Four staff from my school had accidents on the way in and no doubt there were more on the way home. I cannot understand why the roads are this bad when the cold is longstanding. I would rather they grit the roads and paths than collect my bins for a couple of weeks (though technically we pay for both of these services...). No wonder foreigners laugh at us in winter, but it also explains partly why we get so edgy when the cold hits.

Because we are supposed to cope on iced up roads, walk on glassy pavements and keep paying for the privilege.

Corvids...

It is still bitterly cold here, the snow has not gone and more is forecast. But it is getting lighter in the evenings, meaning the dog walks are more interesting as we can actually see the goings-on around us.

In the fields at the edge of the woods I often stand and watch as the rooks swoop in to roost for the night. They are noisy and there are a lot of them. I love the way they are so communal and so vocal.

It's incredible to think they survive this freezing weather, up there in the tree tops, open to all the biting winds. That's why I don't begrudge them feeding in the garden (though I don't like their baser behaviour of eating baby birds in Spring...).

I think you have to embrace all Nature, not just the cute stuff, especially such hardy birds as these. And they look so good silhouetted against the evening skies...