Saturday 12 January 2013

Forecast......

The first snows of Winter are forecast for tonight and tomorrow here along the Eastern side of the country.   Certainly the temperature has dropped - it is only just above freezing.   The sky has been leaden all day but now, as evening approaches, it has cleared and there is a watery sunset.

I love to look out on snow - don't we all - but really as one gets older it is a real nuisance.   Walking in it is difficult and the intense cold is harder to bear.

This morning the farmer and I have been down to our Feed Merchants in Masham, ten miles away, to stock up in case there is a real spell of truly bad weather.   The first thing we bought was a 25kg sack of potatoes for ourselves - jacket potatoes done in the Aga, swathed in butter and served with plenty of salt, is my idea of heaven on a cold day.   Then we stocked up on hen food, food for the farm cats and dogs and plenty of wild bird food.   Now, whatever the weather throws at us, we are prepared.

I read in the Times that the owls in the West Country are dying because the flood water has made it impossible for them to find enough to eat.   The same thing will happen all down the East of the country if this forecast snow moves in.    Life can be so cruel and wildlife has really had to struggle for the last year.   Let's hope that 2013 is a year of better weather.

Tess and I went for our usual walk.   The farmer has spent the afternoon gathering up the briars he has been cutting off the hedges all week and at the beginning of next week he will burn them on a bonfire.   He has always been one for keeping the farm neat and tidy I am pleased to say.

If you are in a cold area, keep snug and warm.   Have a good week-end.  

11 comments:

MorningAJ said...

It's definitely turned a lot colder here Thick socks and extra jumper time, I think!

Gerry Snape said...

colder here as well ...the heating went on early and the fire is banked up!

angryparsnip said...

We will be having a week of cold weather, big storm from Canada. Our temp today are 46/25 and we will have similar weather all week. But we get lots of sunshine and clears skies !
This is the third winter that we are getting these really super freezing cold snaps. It gets below freezing in Tucson but not usually this early and not such low temps. Our weather has indeed changed.
I love the way you write A trip to the feed store sounds exciting, maybe because of why and what you bought.
I feel so sorry for the owls. Breaks my heart.
Keep warm and safe.

cheers, parsnip

shadypinesqltr said...

The sun is shining in a clear, blue sky here in Michigan. I am intending on going for a walk as soon as I "hang up". Snow is forecast for tonight and off and on for the next week. Winter is returning. I was in Pembrokeshire in December for three weeks visiting my sisters and was unable to get much walking in because of the wet and windy weather. I love your blog and check in often. Keep up the good work.
Joan, who lives in the Middle of the Mitten.

Elizabeth said...

Dreadfully dull, misty, mild weather here.....
hope your snow storm isn't too bad.
Yes, to the potatoes and lots of them!

Heather said...

Jacket potatoes cooked in an Aga - yum! We once bought a house with an Aga in it - I was scared of it at first but everything cooked in it or on it tasted wonderful. Sadly we only stayed in that house for 3 years and have never had room for an Aga since.
We were due to have snow today too, but just got cold drizzle. We are well stocked in case of bad weather - plenty of food, wool to knit and books to read!

Em Parkinson said...

I'm not seeing as many Buzzards up here on Dartmoor either. I wonder if it's the same problem? It's still tipping down here I;m afraid!

Robin Mac said...

Lovely to read about your forecast snow, what a contrast to the extreme heatwave happening around most of the country here! We are on the coast so only about 32 degrees celcius, but Western Queensland is getting temperatures of 48 - 50 degrees! No wonder there are so many bushfires burning. Cheers

Dartford Warbler said...

It`s wet and getting colder here in the New Forest. I have also been stocking up on animal feed this week in case we have snow. If it does come, let`s hope it doesn`t last long!

Bad news about the West country owls.

Pondside said...

We are shivering at 0 here on the Pacific coast - cold for us! No snow yet, but we're sure to have a day or two. Every 10 years or so it is bad enough to bring things to a stop...and I rather look forward to that!

Anonymous said...

So pleased you have returned to the piano playing Pat. Have done so myself, and am more than a little rusty, but its fun and good for the brain cells.
Sorry to hear about Araucaria - I hope he receives the very best of palliative care.