On the basis that a watched kettle takes twice as long to boil i thought perhaps my definate need for a bath would probably have a detrimental effect on the pipes thawing....as in they wouldn't.
So, the sun shining and the ground crispy and crunchy, wrapped up warm I persuaded Mr.H to accompany me on a walk.
Some negotiation took place as to exactly where we would walk and the merits and disadvantages.
I was suprised to hear Mr.H advocating a rather steep hill climb over a flat walk along the valley floor in the sunshine until i realised the true motivation....beer.
Good beer in a freezing cold pub served by a landlady, best described as ancient won over a third rate pint of insipid something in a warm pub served by a slightly less aged landlady.
Huffing and puffing and many a rest...I mean stop to admire the view and we finally reached the top.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
A bit of a chill
There's been a bit of a nip in the air of late. Subzero temperatures for about a fortnight here on top of our mountain.
We haven't experienced this sort of weather for about 12 years and were we prepared? Not as well as we thought!
Yesterday the water supply froze but in all fairness we had made sure we had 5 gallons of water in the house.
It has been quite interesting to see childrens reaction to this cold snap. Yes a little dissapointment that it hasn't snowed but the water pools on the common have frozen and have been a constant draw for sliding and slipping....so far no broken bones and being small pools the risk of drowning is minimal.
Some of the kids have been busy trying to thaw out frozen lumps of ice on top of the heat outlet for the boiler and one daft child actually tried to make his own skating rink by leaving the outside hose on over night.
Leaving doors open as a past time has gone out of favour and swanning around the house in shorts and a t shirt has been looked on without sympathy as has the phrase "I'm cold".
Get a jumper on, socks and shoes have been the buzz words of the week.
I'm loath to say this but the aga has behaved beautifully and we have had warming soups and a sumptuous twelth night duck. It's also helped dry out wood and is a wonderful source of comfort when waiting for the kettle to boil.
This morning there was still no water and some blank faces when told to wash their face and hands. How?
Taking a jug of water to the washbasin didn't seem a logical answer to the kids.
It's amused me no end to see modern children struggle with concepts of cold and no water.
Personally i'm old enough to remember Jack Frost painting the inside of the windows with wonderful patterns nevermind the outside.
We haven't experienced this sort of weather for about 12 years and were we prepared? Not as well as we thought!
Yesterday the water supply froze but in all fairness we had made sure we had 5 gallons of water in the house.
It has been quite interesting to see childrens reaction to this cold snap. Yes a little dissapointment that it hasn't snowed but the water pools on the common have frozen and have been a constant draw for sliding and slipping....so far no broken bones and being small pools the risk of drowning is minimal.
Some of the kids have been busy trying to thaw out frozen lumps of ice on top of the heat outlet for the boiler and one daft child actually tried to make his own skating rink by leaving the outside hose on over night.
Leaving doors open as a past time has gone out of favour and swanning around the house in shorts and a t shirt has been looked on without sympathy as has the phrase "I'm cold".
Get a jumper on, socks and shoes have been the buzz words of the week.
I'm loath to say this but the aga has behaved beautifully and we have had warming soups and a sumptuous twelth night duck. It's also helped dry out wood and is a wonderful source of comfort when waiting for the kettle to boil.
This morning there was still no water and some blank faces when told to wash their face and hands. How?
Taking a jug of water to the washbasin didn't seem a logical answer to the kids.
It's amused me no end to see modern children struggle with concepts of cold and no water.
Personally i'm old enough to remember Jack Frost painting the inside of the windows with wonderful patterns nevermind the outside.
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