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Hi, Pigale!
Our last batch of snow is being slowly washed away by rain.
It is a battle of the elements!
Perhaps Ros is using her tablet or maybe a phone to "talk" on here.
My phone has no such powers!
Speaking of tablets...how are you getting on with your Hudl?

Hi Elle!
Glad that your weather is not worsening.

My phone does not have any such powers either - in fact, I do not
possess - nor do I want to - a mobile! I am still using the archaïc
desk telephone - not even a hand-free set! But since I hate the telephone nowadays ( had too much of it in my life, and some bad
news through it too), it is quite sufficient for my needs.

My Hudl has arrived and looks in immaculate condition, but I got
in touch with the vendor after receiving it, because he had not enclosed any USB cable. He apologised, he has moved house not
long ago and had mislead it, but found it and posted it this past
week. He is really a delightful person.

I have also managed to find and order the original Tesco Hudl manual (second hand of course) and that should also arrive
this week - So then I will be well set to try and make sense of it
all!
Remember, I can be just as much of a dinosaur as you !

Wonder what has happened to Rusty today? Hope he is OK and
just envolved with family.

Hi Pigale and elle

I couldn't post until the power came back on, I have a laptop with battery but no internet at all with no power. I have had the butane stove for about 5 years and it had never been out of its box before today. Tomorrow I must split some more logs. (I have a log splitting machine!)
I love candles so that's not a problem, they are always around and matches to light the fire. However, now the power is back on I am warmer and can watch the TV! There is very little to do with no power- I found myself unable to sew or knit for some reason. I washed up in cold water, lots of detergent!
I live at the top of a hill so I am glad I won't have to go out for a while. No gritters here yet and may never be.
I also always have milk in the freezer (for as long as it stays on plus a day or so!), and potatoes, bread, cheese and eggs around.
I put out some food and water for the birds today but they didn't come for it.
You're right, pigale, minus 12! I hope my son doesn't even think of setting off for work. Bet he does, though.

It is good that your power is back on again now, Ros.
Minus 12 must be incredibly cold!
I'm assuming your local schools will be closed?
Will this involve your needing to babysit your grandchildren tomorrow if their parents are working?


We don't have a hands free mainline phone either, Pigale!
if we did, I should never be able to find it---my husband would be sure to "lose" it....!
He wanders off with things and puts them down....!
Ours is firmly anchored by its cord!
I so appreciate having my mobile though- I like to feel it is on hand for emergencies, say if I am out.
But as you know, all it can do is ring and text!

Good evening, Elle!
Hope all is well in the South!
Was -6C here this morning. No snow, though!
No Pine Cone today.
We were involved in other things.
All fine now, though!

Good evening, Rusty!
I am glad to hear that all is well with you and yours.
You have been quiet all the day, and it is difficult not to worry when there are such adverse weather conditions about.
I am amazed that we "beat" you to the snow!
It had been snowing off and on all the day here, in competition with the rain!
Not as cold as you are having it, though.

Hi elle

Thanks elle. My daughter-in-law will be able to look after the children tomorrow if their schools are closed as she does not have a regular job. I wouldn't want to drive because on one side of my house is a steep hill and on the other side (their direction) the road is very narrow, nearly as steep and with a lot of blind bends. People were held up for hours on the A34 today. I bet all the A & Es in the country are busy.

Will your grandchildren's schools be closed?

Hello, Ros.
That is good that you are not committed to driving anywhere tomorrow.
If you do need to go out , you are probably best to do so on foot.
But if you have enough food etc. to last, maybe stay indoors whilst your weather is so dreadful?
I doubt schools in our borough or my daughter's will be closed, as fortunately our weather is not extreme enough.
But if push comes to shove, my daughter can work from home - and of course if schools are closed, then her husband will be home, too!
I don't know about schools in the Midlands where our other daughter lives, but we cannot be of any help there anyway!

I have plenty of food nd milk, thanks, elle. I may well go for a walk tomorrow, well wrapped up and with non-slip things on my feet. I shall see.

I hope things are OK for your daughter in the Midlands -my brother in Shropshire has got huge amounts of snow and is literally snowed in.

I shall be going to bed soon for a long read

Coïncidences Ros, you live in an area where I too lived for a few
years, ie Oxfordshire - I lived in Witney.
and now you mention you brother in Shropshire - Where about
in Salop does he live? I lived in Telford and worked in Market-Drayton
for two years, 73 till 75 - before leaving for Alderney, CI.