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Hi Pigale

Yes my son did go to work. It normally takes him an hour to drive; not sure how long it took to get to work, but an hour and a half back which wasnt bad. I do hope he doesn't go tomorrow but I expect he will. It thawed a little today so the roads will be sheet ice tomorrow.
I didn't walk far as it was slippery, but instead spent the time bringing in logs from my garage (a little way from the house) and splitting them. I also brushed the snow off several trees and plants and noticed one plant had split in half with the weight of snow. Mosty I did some embroidery!

Sorry to hear about the mishap with the tree, but it doesn't seem to have done much serious damage. Someone on here had a big tree through their roof a while back. I am always scared it will happen to me as there is a huge lime tree next door and the wind would blow it my way.Unfortunately it is listed or preserved and can't be cut down. Do you have a log fire and could use the branches that fell?

Mid afternoon I got a delivery from amazon. I hadn't ordered anything but he said it was for me. It is a surprise present from some people for whom I did some family history earlier in the year! It's really kind of them, a bottle of my fav wine (a New Zealand red!).

There are still 800 people in Oxfordshire who are without electricity. I am so glad my power cut was only 7 hours; also that I don't need to go out.

My grandson's school play is tomorrow but I expect his school will be closed again.

Hello, Elle!
Hope the card writing is going well!
I have been fairly busy today, driving here and there, on wee errands.
Tomorrow morning will be the same!
It has been dry here but quite cold.
We have missed the snow, thankfully!

Hello, Pigale!
Hope you are coping with the weather!
It is fine here, just quite cold!
Did you see my post 17733 ?
It contains a link to the Hudl helpline.
Tips and helpful information that may prove useful, sometime!

Hi Ros,

I am glad that you managed to do some odd jobs today, and also
that you did not venture on a walk - I had a feeling it might be
dodgy!
I do not have a log fire, and on a open chimney, I would not use
pine wood anyway - not recommended by insurances and chimney
sweepers! All I want is for my neighbour to get everything out of
the way whenever he can - but I won't put any pressure on him as
he is elderly and will have to wait for his son to do the work; at this
time of the year, there is not that can be done after work in the dark!
So, I reckon next week-end - that's fair enough.

I feel sorry for all these poor folks with no power for well over 24 hours
now! I have a gas cooker, torches, candles and two moveable heaters - one gas (big bottle at the back, witha fine mesh at the
front, so no danger for cats) and one simple petrol heater; very
efficient, and nowadays, they do not smell. I also have another
more sophisticated electronic petrol heater (which needs power
to ignite) and several electric rads.

What is so special about your neighbour's lime tree? is it its age?

At least the wind has died down now, and it is just raining!
Roll on Summer (and its heat, for me anyway)

Hello Rusty!

Yes, thank you for the link - I had a peep and made a note of
the https address.
I am just waiting to receive the USB cable which the vendor had
temporarily lost, and it should arrive this week together with a second-hand 'original' Tesco Hudl user manual - When I ordered it on ebay,
they mailed me and asked me whether I wanted it in French or in
English! Thoughtful I thought! I asked for English, since I know much
more computer terminology/jargon in English than in French !!!

Our 'storm' has died down now and just have rain, rain and more
rain! But it is warm compared with the UK - We have a South-West
influence at present - Might have sunshine tomorrow, but with a drop in the temps - can't have it both ways!

Hope you are fine and that your weather is not bad.

Hi, Rusty!
You have certainly been doing a lot of driving around - and still more tomorrow?
It is good that your roads are safe!
There seem to have been a lot of accidents on motorways and other major roads.
We are very fortunate down here to be safely out of most of the chaos.
I went to the Crematorium today.
I had it to myself.... very icy and muddy......
I doubt the plant I took will survive long in this icy weather, but it was a gesture.
I am about halfway through writing my cards....
I have stopped now and we are putting together the tree!
Is yours up yet?

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I am unexpectedly fairly hectic right now!
Our roads are fine.
I noticed part of the Loch was frozen over today.
Well done for visiting the Crematorium!
I think I'll go to cemetery next Monday or Tuesday.
I only have a very small Christmas tree.
No Sholach or Pine Tree here!
It is around 15 inches high and lives in a drawer the rest of the year.
I'll bring it out for my son visiting on Thursday.

Hi pigale
You seem very well provisioned for heaters, well done.

I hate the lime tree. It is only about 70 years old but already huge. It is only a few metres from my house and if it fell it would smash right through my roof. I don't suppose it will but I am scared of it. Also, it drops loads of stuff onto my drive including sticky material from aphids that coats my car and windows, and attracts wasps. It takes light from my windows and solar panels and I suspect it is affecting the foundations of my house by all the water it sucks up. End of rant!

I have some pieces of matting made from coir that I can put down on the icy patches in my garden when getting logs in.

Going to crawl into bed now to keep warm!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, we went to the Crematorium today because it was my father's birthday.
We took a plant to stand on the marble memorial stone.
But we shall be back again on the 21st, as that is the Anniversary of his death.
We take a Christmas wreath then.
I tried having a small tree one year.... I thought it might be easier......it stood on the piano......
Until the next morning when I found the cats batting it around the floor - they thought it a great toy!
We have gone back to the larger (5ft) tree and we now nail it down on a board!!
Speaking of which, said tree is now erected!
My husband is going to fit the lights next, and then I shall decorate it tomorrow!
Do you decorate your tree?

Hello, Elle!
No, no decorations on my tree.
It is not really for me. but for any folk calling and they can see I've made a teeny effort.
But, I keep some Christmas cards up all year round and most folk don't.
I am not a follower of fashion!
It is forecast to be cold again tomorrow!
Thank goodness for fleece shirts and trousers!