Friday January 1st 2010

[Kath Mulligan]

We woke up to a very hard white frosty scene this morning, and now we have some more fluffy white bits floating down from the sky! It's only very light at the moment, and quite sunny still, so hope it won't do too much. Think the girls and I will probably be heading out for a walk shortly as Elizabeth wants to try out the new camera tripod I bought her for Christmas.

Hope you all have a lovely New Year's Day and that there are not too many sore heads around this morning. I restricted myself to just one dry Martini and lemonade, so am feeling fine.

Kath

[Sybille Weber]

After a little snowfall around midnight when everyone was out in the street letting off fireworks we also woke up to a white scene this morning, however the green of the grass was still shining through. It has started to snow heavily now though with quite a bit of wind blowing, and if it continues like that (which it will, according to the weather forecast) we will have a few inches of the white stuff by tonight. Temperature is around -2 deg. C at the moment, so it will definitely not melt away. Hope you will have a lovely walk, Kath. Don't think I will venture out today.

[Janet Swan]

Yes, a great day for going out for a walk here in Hertfordshire - sunny, blue skies, crisp frost and very cold. This morning, I joined the walking group for a lovely stroll in one of our local nature reserves - Oughtonhead. Beautiful views and we saw a large (male?) muntjac deer and two of the longhorn cattle who graze the common - such huge creatures but very gentle nature. The boots, which had been so well cleaned by the snow, are now muddy again, but it was a wonderful start to the New Year.

Janet

[Kath Mulligan]

I am now thawing out after our walk which took us to the Roman Lakes in Marple - the very frozen lakes I should say! It was lovely, just a light covering of snow, the lakes also covered in sparkly ice and snow. Lots of other folk out walking off the New Year excesses too in the sunshine, but oh boy was it cold! Reasonably comfortable in the sun, but as soon as that went down, the temperature dropped significantly and our faces were completely numb by the time we got back to the cars. Didn't see anything so exciting as deer or cattle, but we did see a peacock displaying for us, and had a real laugh watching the ducks and geese crash landing and skidding on the frozen surface of the lake - it was a bit like watching dodgems as several slithered into each other!

Kath

[Liz]

A beautiful walk Kath - I love frosty, sparkling winter rambles.

However I'm always very careful these days and make sure I wrap a scarf around my face. A few years back John and I decided to have a Boxing Day picnic (a bit silly really) on the top of the Stiperstones, not too far from here.

It was beautiful, very frosty like now, superb views but with quite a wind blowing. The next day I woke with an excruciating pain in my face - trigeminal neuralgia -which took several weeks to disappear. I 'm always really careful now when out walking in freezing conditions.

[gloria townsin]

I spent part of today doing a bit of 'un-seasonal' ironing!! Well at least it's done now which makes me feel better. My friend in Spain rang and the weather there is nice and warm, doesn't get dark until around 6pm........it seems forever night here, the hours inbetween morning and evening seem to fly past. Will have to get some air tomorrow, not been out properly since Christmas Eve, well other than our B&Q visit that is. I just want to hibernate completely at this time of year. Well done all brave ones who tackled the elements. I get facial neuralgia from time to time a pain you just cannot get away from - horrible.

[Kath Mulligan]

We're planning on heading out again tomorrow, not sure where yet. Would love to go up to the Hope Valley as they have had lots of snow, just not too sure what the roads will be like and the access road is extremely steep down into Castleton. Claire and her 4x4 are going elsewhere tomorrow, so it's just Elizabeth and me, and neither of our cars is the best at roadholding on icy surfaces. We'll probably head off in that direction and see how far we get.

For anyone who is also on Facebook I have posted a few of my photos from today's walk on there, and if you are my Facebook friend, you should also be able to see Elizabeth's pics - she has some brilliant ones of crash-landing ducks, and a confused peacock that was displaying to anything with feathers - completely unsuccessfully I should add!!

Liz, I was well rugged up against the cold today, believe me! Windproof Regatta coat, hat, scarf, gloves, hiking boots and pole - you name it, I was wearing it!

Kath

[adesmith]

I was careful with how much I drank so I was ready for a New Years Day walk. We went up to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains and they were stunning in the snow. Initially we wanted to get up to Patrishow, a little church on the mountain top but the road was too icy and we turned around. Instead we went to Llantony Priory which is in a vally in the middle of nowhere. It had quite deep snow and the ruins were beautiful. We then headed up to Bronllys Castle which has just been done up. It has open access apart from 24th, 25th, 26th December and you guessed it 1st January! So we sat on the steps (it is only one tower anyway) and had hot chocolate and shortbread that we had brought. We drove back down to Rachel's parents in Cardiff via the A470 which takes you past the big resevoirs and the mountains by Merthyr. It was a super day out and Rupert loved it.

[Barbara]

Goodness, all your walks sound enchanting!
Fancy being able just pop out and go to a priory in a valley in the middle of nowhere - in the snow. I'm a little envious, you know, but it's nice to know that all of you appreciate the beauty and history around you.
Kath, is there a place called Marple? I love the sound of it, and of course, it reminds of that exquisitely drawn character by Agatha Christie. (my favourite actress playing the part was Joan Hickson - I think she captured Miss Marple's qualities perfectly.
I know alot of authors draw their character's names from place names. I think Winston Graham chose the name Demelza and maybe Warleggan too from place names in Cornwall.

[adesmith]

We are lucky Barbara and I have been reminded recently just how fortunate we are to live in South Wales with all its history and fantastic landscapes within a short drive. Llanthony Priory is the most spectacular place and all the more so in the snow. I really must work out how to upload pictures on here and then you could see for yourself. They will be on Facebook though. Of course the very famous Tintern Abbey is a short drive from here as well. Have you heard of it?

You are right about Winston Graham and his character names, Demelza and Warleggan. There is a village near St Ives called Trencrom and of course there is Mr Trencrom the smuggler. He also used real place names for the fictional places in his books eg Nampara is or was just a patch of grass in Perranporth and Mingoose is a farm near St Agnes (there was no big house there). I have also noticed that there is an area of St Ives called Trenwith but I am not sure if there is a connection.

[Sybille Weber]

You are really lucky, Adrian, living so close to Tintern Abbey. I remember our visit there well as I love to wander around abbey ruins - beautiful architecture under the open sky. Especially moss covered old stones or stones and walls with grass and flowers growing on them are particularly appealing to me (and my camera). We also visited several abbey ruins in Yorkshire, too, my favourite probably being Rievaulx near Helmsley.
A friend of mine can't understand why I find those old ruins so attractive. She actually hates them. She says to her they represent decay and death whereas I find them rather inspiring and romantic.

Your mention of Mingoose reminds me of Merlin (Derek and Jeannie's donkey) whose complete name was actually Mingoose Merlin as far as I remember. Merlin is actually looking at me now in a framed photograph on my desk.

[Barbara]

I'm with you , Sybille. There is something about stones and moss and crumbling ruins that I find irresistible. Inspiring and romantic aptly describes how they make me feel.
Probably my favourite thing to draw is old buildings - especially those made of stone - and I love church and cathedral architecture. When a very old building is in ruin and things begin to grow in crevices, I believe we get an accurate picture of the way of the world and nature. Nature's insistence is so starkly rendered against the creations of man in all their geometric glory, but I think that what is so beautiful about ruins is the softening of the contours of the shapes - almost the blurring of the sharp angles.
Adrian, I have heard of Tintern Abbey through the poem by Wordsworth.

[gloria townsin]

I tried to post a reply on my big computer earlier but it just wasn't allowed.......re Mingoose which I think is a village or place in Cornwall and that is where I've always supposed Merlin was bred.

[Kath Mulligan]

Goodness, all your walks sound enchanting!
Fancy being able just pop out and go to a priory in a valley in the middle of nowhere - in the snow. I'm a little envious, you know, but it's nice to know that all of you appreciate the beauty and history around you.
Kath, is there a place called Marple? I love the sound of it, and of course, it reminds of that exquisitely drawn character by Agatha Christie. (my favourite actress playing the part was Joan Hickson - I think she captured Miss Marple's qualities perfectly.
I know alot of authors draw their character's names from place names. I think Winston Graham chose the name Demelza and maybe Warleggan too from place names in Cornwall.

Yes Barbara, Marple is a small town about 4 miles from us, not sure though if it has any connection with Agatha Christie's naming of Miss Marple.

Demelza and Warleggan are both small villages on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, and they were the inspiration for Winston Graham's naming of his characters.

Our latest walk got shelved yesterday because I came down with a sudden tummy bug, plus the light rain that was forecast turned into another very heavy dump of snow! Our road is once more impassable to all but 4x4 vehicles. It looks very pretty out there in the sunshine this morning, but I have to say I am getting rather fed up with the snow now and would like it gone!

Kath

[Sybille Weber]

January 3rd, 2010 (Can't post a new thread for Jan. 3rd as I can't stay logged in when I try so will use this thread).

We had heavy snowfall all night, so we are having several inches of snow today, and it looks as though there is more to come. With temperatures around -4 it is not likely to melt. All the trees around are beautiful to look at, but this weather is so difficult for the birds. It seems hardly anyone in the neighbourhood is feeding the birds as our balcony is packed with birds. Mum is doing nothing but preparing more bird feed all the time. We now also get birds that we don't see all year or that just pass by but don't usually come to our balcony. Today we even had a carrion crow coming which is quite good as it keeps birds of prey away that also come occasionally as the birds we feed are their food. I feel sorry for those big birds, too, as they also have to struggle to survive. Yet it is always so awful to see a little bird falling prey to one of them in front of our eyes.
Hope the roads won't be too bad tomorrow when we have to go back to work. 20 miles can be quite long in the snow. I'm so pleased that I always start work a little later than most people. So we can avoid the rush hour.

[gloria townsin]

Your weather report from Germany makes me wonder if Jeff and Nina's flight will be affected, they have to travel from Bielafeld (sp?) to Frankfurt which takes about 2 hours and their flight is due to take off from there around 8.40pm Continental time, arriving at Stansted around 8.40pm (ish).

And Kath you're not fairing much better it would seem. Snow gone here for several days though that doesn't mean it won't come back. I'm sure you are tired of it now, the restrictions bad roads inflict are not easy to deal with on a long-time basis. I hope your tum is better as well.......as you know that is one of my problems and not nice to cope with.

[gloria townsin]

Silly me.......they fly from Dusseldorf not Frankfurt.........Good job I know where they land!! :blink:

[Sybille Weber]

Road conditions have not been too good here in the area today. Infact the A2 near Bielefeld had to be closed for a while but is open again now. Trains are also not running normally and Düsseldorf Airport is also affected with flights being cancelled or late. I think Nina and Jeff will have to calculate more than just two hours for the journey to Düsseldorf, but as they are only flying tonight, major roads should have been cleared by then and the situation should be better at the airport, too. At least here at Essen which is just a stone's throw from Düsseldorf, the major roads have all been cleared (unlike our little street which is still steeped in snow). So I think they should be alright, although they may arrive later than expected.

[adesmith]

Its probably no surprise that as a history teacher with a history and archaeology degree I love the ruins of castles, abbeys etc etc. They are really a tangiable link with our past and in a way they hold and tell our story. I love looking through a window or walking through a door and thinking how many people have done the same over the last several hundred years. These places are so full of atmosphere and really are very beautiful. Tintern is one of the most stunning monastery ruins because so much of the church part is still intact and it did indeed inspire Wordsworth to write his poem.

Mingoose is near the roundabout on the A30 which has the Starbucks on it. I think it is just down the road that you take if you are heading to Chapelporth and Portreath etc etc. I dont think there is much there, just a farm or two.

It does look as though the weather is closing in again. I am resisting the temptation to wish, pary and hope for a dumping of snow 6 foot deep by tomorrow morning. It has nothing to do with the idea of building snow men but you have probably guessed my real motivation! Kath you seem to have hardly been without snow at all! It must be hard for the parts of the country that have been in the grip of it for so long now. I hope that it clears up and gives the worst affected areas a bit of a break at least. I think the next lot is going to arrive in the east of the country and no doubt if it hits the home counties and London with a cm or two it will be splashed all across the BBC (I am being a bit grumpy about the news bias that we see on the BBC!!!). Seriously though, make sure everyone keeps safe and warm!

[Linda]

It does look as though the weather is closing in again. I am resisting the temptation to wish, pary and hope for a dumping of snow 6 foot deep by tomorrow morning. It has nothing to do with the idea of building snow men but you have probably guessed my real motivation!

Oh Adrian if its the same thought as me then yes I can!! But only so long as everyone is warm and safe and Jeff doesnt have to go to work either.... :)

its a long stretch for us from January to Easter.....and even longer after Easter to Summer break...we dont get the breaks in between..I like the winter term as its getting ready for Christmas with the Concert etc, the Spring term is probably the most boring for me....Summer break I am ok with as there are school trips being planned etc...

[adesmith]

I think it might be the same thought we are having Linda! Last spring I ended up being at home without Rachel on the snow days because it was only really schools that closed. One of the days I did have Rupert which was fun. Some times missing days can be too much of an inconvenience and I dont like to think that our extra day or two at home comes at the expense of others struggling in dangerous and difficult conditions.

We have quite a busy half term ahead of us and I do find that this can be the longest of them! I am always ready for a break in February. I have to say that I would find it quite hard going to have to make it all the way to Easter. We have been looking on the Internet for somewhere to stay for a long weekend in the February half term. A little dose of Cornwall normally fixes me up!

[Kath Mulligan]

It does look as though the weather is closing in again. I am resisting the temptation to wish, pary and hope for a dumping of snow 6 foot deep by tomorrow morning. It has nothing to do with the idea of building snow men but you have probably guessed my real motivation! Kath you seem to have hardly been without snow at all! It must be hard for the parts of the country that have been in the grip of it for so long now. I hope that it clears up and gives the worst affected areas a bit of a break at least. I think the next lot is going to arrive in the east of the country and no doubt if it hits the home counties and London with a cm or two it will be splashed all across the BBC (I am being a bit grumpy about the news bias that we see on the BBC!!!). Seriously though, make sure everyone keeps safe and warm!

I'm right with you in the grumpy stakes there, Adrian! We have often commented that we only have "weather" in this country when London and the Home Counties are affected. Although it has been sunny here all day, the temperature hasn't got above zero so the lying snow is not melting at all, and we have yet more of the white stuff forecast in the next week too! I am really hoping that it doesn't do too much more because we have tickets to see Brendan Cole's dance show at Buxton Opera House next Saturday evening - but if it stays like this, we shall really struggle to get there and back.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

As a 'Home Counties-er' I am rather embarrassed that 'our' weather is highlighted.....but in fact in our area news we seem to see all round the country, at least as much as local counties.

Jeff and Nina did allow extra time for their journey to the airport and their flight was only delayed about 50 mins which is pretty good considering the weather conditions in Germany. It made a long round trip for Nina's parents to take them to the airport and return home themselves though.

The after Christmas blues are possibly the worst kind of all........we are deep into Winter which seems endless and such a long time until the next big break, but at the end of every year we find ourselves saying how quickly the year has gone and how we can't believe it's Christmas again.......so in actual fact it won't take long for highdays and holidays to come round again.

Hope you're feeling better Kath and keep in the warm for goodness sake.

[Kath Mulligan]

Glad to hear that Jeff and Nina made it back safely Gloria, with not too long a delay. Watching the Farmers and Growers forecast on Countryfile last night, I think you may be in for more snow than us this week as it seemed to be concentrated rather more down the eastern side of the country.

I'm back to normal again now, thanks. Am off out to fill up Mum's coal buckets shortly and get her some bits of shopping. It is not safe to take her out, and to be honest I don't fancy taking my car out on the roads around here, they're like skid pans, so I am restricted to the local shops and what I can carry on foot.

As for the post-Christmas blues, well I am already on countdown to Memorial Weekend! Ten weeks on Thursday I shall be on that train. That is the thought that will be keeping my winter blues at bay!!

Kath

[Linda]

well thats the thing isnt it...Spring is now on its way....lighter evenings...............return of the swallows........ our daffodils are poking their little heads through the ground....the polyanthus has already sprouted a lovely clump of leaves from which pretty flowers will emerge.......buds are already appearing on our honeysuckle and jasmine.......


:):)

[Kath Mulligan]

I'll have to take your word for that, Linda, since my polyanthus and bulbs have once again disappeared under a white blanket!! But, that one valiant pink rosebud is still desperately clinging onto life, albeit looking rather sorry for itself now.

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Linda and Kath you've (almost!) got me singing ' Spring, Spring, Spring' (7 Brides...etc...) But Eddie and Jeff will be pleased I managed to resist bursting into song........ Now while I'm here.....the big grin smilie will not go where I want it, which was beside (almost!) it just keeps popping along in front of my typing........can't start typing again beyond it. Plus the new first page appears on this my big computer but not on the lap-top.......it's a crazy, crazy, world we live in.....now I'm onto TV ads....:fie:Uh.Huh..big Grin is determined to stay at the end.....Anyway, glad you are feeling better Kath and don't venture out on the roads unless you feel safe. Eddie seemed to think we would be o.k. snow wise but I thought they said we were due some at the end of the week and now you have confirmed it.....joy of joys!! :biggrin:

[Janet Swan]

Christmas decorations taken down and put away today, then dusted and polished so (for once!) everything seems to sparkle!!! Booked my third mini-holiday for 2010 today, a visit to North Wales in October, so with St Ives in March and Alnmouth in June, looking forward to these wards off my Winter blues. Just hard frost here - quite slippery underfoot in places. Makes me reluctant to venture out in the evenings, despite having some nice things to do. Do hope Kath gets to and from Buxton for Brendan's show - would be such a shame to miss that.

Janet

[adesmith]

We are looking for somewhere to stay in Cornwall for a few days in the February half term - I am always ready for a blast of Cornish air by then. The apartment that we stopped in last February is booked and we spotted a nice looking cottage in Botallack which unfortunately also turned out to be booked. We must get on to it tonight and try and find somewhere. Something to look forward to.

We took our decorations down on Saturday but left our mistletoe, holly and ivy 'kissing bough' decoration up. We always leave some of the greenery up until 2nd February - Candlemas - the old date for the end of Christmas. That leads me on to my list of things for you to celebrate. You know I am a great one for festivals! So if you are feeling the post Christmas blues pick or choose from this list:

Twelfth Night (could be either the 5th or 6th January)

Plough Monday (first Monday after Twelfth Night)

Burns Night (25th January)

Candlemas (2nd February)

St Valentine (14th February)

Shrove Tuesday (not sure which day that is on this year)

St Davids Day (1st March)

St Pirans Day (5th March)

We really have no connection with Ireland but you could also celebrate St Patricks Day. They will keep you going until Memorial Weekend. We always light lots of candles on Candlemas to banish the winter gloom. On St Davids Day we usually make Welsh Cakes and on St Pirans Day we of course make pasties. Shrove Tuesday speaks for itself and on Valentines we exchange small gifts and cook a nice meal. By this time spring really will (hopefully) be under way and then we can look forward to the Easter celebrations and St Georges Day etc etc

[Linda]

what a wonderful way to live Adrian...I would love to live at your house...it must feel like your always celebrating and enjoying things...gosh I could learn a thing or two from you...THANK YOU Adrian! I thinkI shall certainly take up the idea of cooking things asssociated with those dates...that would be a start...
:)

[adesmith]

We do know how to enjoy ourselves and there is always something to celebrate! Some times we dont do much but just acknowledging a special day, anniversary or festival adds some colour and interest to everyday life.

[gloria townsin]

All this positive thinking and living will have a wonderful effect on Rupert's life, not to mention yours, Rachels and everyone around you.........Brilliant!!

[Barbara]

Interesting reading of your impending return to work, Adrian and Linda. I have always wondered how long the Christmas break was in Britain. Over here, the major school break takes place at this time of year, usually for about six or seven weeks - obviously because summer is here. The school year also provides three more sets of fortnightly holidays throughout the year...although when I was at school we only had two additional breaks.
Adrian, it is so refreshing to find someone who celebrates all the old feast days and festivals. I've said it before on the forum that Rupert is so lucky to have parents that recognise the wisdom of celebrating life - which is really what you're doing. Medieval man had a very complete system of ideas giving him a detailed picture of man, the universe and man's place in it - because his life revolved around the calendar with all its special days and celebrations. I know it's quite a jump to try and imagine ordinary life in those times - and also difficult to accommodate that sort of thinking in the modern world, but somehow if we all learned to slow down a bit and slot in a bit more rhythm and ritual, I think we'd all be a lot more contented.

[gloria townsin]

Adrian, it is so refreshing to find someone who celebrates all the old feast days and festivals. I've said it before on the forum that Rupert is so lucky to have parents that recognise the wisdom of celebrating life - which is really what you're doing. Medieval man had a very complete system of ideas giving him a detailed picture of man, the universe and man's place in it - because his life revolved around the calendar with all its special days and celebrations. I know it's quite a jump to try and imagine ordinary life in those times - and also difficult to accommodate that sort of thinking in the modern world, but somehow if we all learned to slow down a bit and slot in a bit more rhythm and ritual, I think we'd all be a lot more contented.


Yes to all the above..........and to the last part - if only!!

[Linda]

OH! Barbara ...if only..
:)

[adesmith]

I think that I have already sped up too much and the stress is starting to increase! Still Rachel has found us a place to stay for a few days in the February half term and it looks really nice. Its a cottage in Pendeen. We will definitely make a trip to Minack.

[jane jackson]

That's great then Adrian that you've got your cottage sorted so you can start looking forward to half term. Kath, you've done well too with your train already booked for Memorial Weekend. Spring will soon be here ~ but it doesn't feel like it at the moment as it has snowed here in PZ this evening. Nothing like your snow Kath or Gloria and Janet in Herts but enough to be a pain if it freezes tonight. It's been down to minus 5 and 6 again this winter which we really didn't expect to have this far south west so the plants are suffering but we're not worrying so much this year after most recovered quite well after last winter's freezing temperatures.

Luckily we drove back from Minehead yesterday on dry roads and in sunshine. Even so Bodmin area had snow lying but not on the roads unlike today where they seemed to get quite a lot according to the TV News. We were very lucky overall really as we managed a very good drive over to a friend in Chard in Somerset on NY Day with hardly anything on the road and I met up with friends on Sunday for lunch at a moorland Pub the other side of the North Devon link road which they nearly shut today. I was in my friend's 4X4 for the small roads across the moor and they were quite icy at the edges still. The ice and frozen ground is proving a problem to a lot of people with horses that can't get them across the yard to the fields so they're confined to the stables.

Hope your snow goes soon Kath. Although it's pretty after a while it becomes wearing as well as dangerous.

[tarn]

How unusual to see snow at The Minack Theatre this morning. Here in the Peak District another 2 inches overnight. Leek to Buxton road still closed, Flash (very high village) now has a weather webcam, may be of interest to Kath as its only a couple of miles from Buxton.http://www.flashbarstores.co.uk/
I was stuck on this road last week as the snow closed the road behind me until the snow plough arrived.

[Kath Mulligan]

Just had a look at that link Tarn, thank you. It really is bad up there, isn't it, but I suppose it is very high on the moors and exposed to the winds. That must have been a bit nerve-wracking for you the other day, I wouldn't fancy being stuck up there! The girls and I have tickets booked to see Brendan Cole at the Opera House in Buxton on Saturday. Whether or not we shall make it is a bit open to doubt at the moment - indeed whether or not the dancers themselves will make it to this area either could be questionnable. In a way I hope they can't and the show is cancelled and re-arranged for a later date. That way we could still get to see it eventually. As it is, I'm not sure if the Opera House would refund my money if we can't get there. A friend of Claire's who lives and works in Buxton said that at one point yesterday almost all the roads out of the town were closed, although I think the A6 is open again now.

Jane, sorry to hear that even you have had some snow in Penzance too, and some very cold nights. Good that you made it back from your trip to Minehead before it came though.

Kath

[jane jackson]

Yes it would be better if they did have to cancel "Brendon Cole" as you wont be the only ones that might have a problem getting there. It's the concern about getting back home safely again late at night isn't it? At least you have Claire's 4X4 which is great in these conditions but even that wont like black ice. Hope it's all ok.

[gloria townsin]

We all seem to be in this together now........so I guess it's the spirit of 'The Blitz' we now need to get through to sunnier days.

Nina got home just ahead of the biggest snow drop yesterday evening, but I think it was kind of chasing her home. She is working from here today and no cars have moved up or down the road. The little local school round the corner seems silent so must be closed. Thank heavens Nina and Jeff flew back before all this happened - according to one jolly forecaster today we are in for at least another week of this. The little pile of grit they have left for Surrey would be laughable if it was a laughing situation......they are still waiting for the order to arrive. As Jeff said it snowed almost every day of the two weeks they were in Germany but out came the gritters even on the side roads and they were made driveable.......here - well it's all been said before!

[tarn]

I don't think Brendon will make it to Buxton somehow but you never know. I have just found the Cat and Fiddle webcam, now that is a well known road up here as it often is closed but on the webcam I can't even see a road! just snow.....

http://www.maccinfo.com/cat/

I have just filled the bird feeders and they are nearly empty already, the blackbird is clearing up at floor level the nuts which fall. Cats more interested how much wood is going into the woodburner!

[Sybille Weber]

............ As Jeff said it snowed almost every day of the two weeks they were in Germany but out came the gritters even on the side roads and they were made driveable.......here - well it's all been said before!

Well, Gloria, that was the case until a few days ago. They are now telling us Germany's salt stocks are rapidly decreasing, and it could take weeks before more is available. There's still enough for approximately five days, but then ..... From now on only major roads and dangerous bits of roads will be served by the gritters (or rather 'salters'). Heavy snowfall and severe frost are forecast for the weekend so salt will desperately be required then. Still several inches of snow in our little street, but all main roads are free at present as we haven't had any more snow since the weekend. Temperatures just around -3 today but as much as -18 forecast for the weekend.

[gloria townsin]

Well Sybille, sounds as though we are definitely all in this together then, at least on this side of the World. Even 5" in St Buryan!! Wonder if John and Mim can get to the main road, although perhaps a farm truck will have cleared a path. Jenny and Gerald are pretty much snowed in down their farm lane though. About 1" reported in Mullion, which will be enough for the builders not to be able to get on as they are coming from Porthleven and around. And only a couple of months plus a bit before Memorial Weekend, the kitchen arrives on the 20th of Jan. where they will store it I have no idea ... nothing is ever simple.

[jane jackson]

Wow, 5" of snow in St Buryan, what is Cornwall coming to! It's about minus 1c at present and very crisp outside when I went out with the dogs a short while ago with lots of icy patches already. This is when we're both very glad we're retired and don't have to think about driving anywhere. We do feel for those who still have to though as we know what it's like.

You do seem to be jinxed at Bryher Gloria but I'm sure it will all turn out wonderful in the end and be well worth all the trials and tribulations you've both been put through.

:grouphug::smow::tea: I'm away with these smilies now ~ thank you Linda!