Saturday 7 December 2013

Snug and warm

The storm of two days ago and the subsequent tidal surge all down the East coast of the country has been pretty devastating for a lot of people, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.   The South Yorkshire coast and the coast of Lincolnshire have been particularly badly hit and some houses have been washed away.   What a nightmare it must have been.

Now the weather is back to "normal" and it is as though the storm has never been, apart from branches off trees.   There are quite a few of what the farmer calls "Nature's Prunings" around our fields and they always come in handy for winter logs once they have dried out.

Meanwhile, the cows are snug and warm in their barn and to satisfy those of you who asked, the farmer took a couple of photographs of them.   Once they get in that straw and out of the wind, and their food is provided twenty four hours a day, I think they imagine they have died and gone to heaven.

This morning friend W and I have been to the village monthly coffee morning in the Village Hall.   There was a goodly crowd there, including one or two newcomers to the village - which is good as it is a good way to meet everyone.   There was a cheerful log fire burning in the grate and I think we all enjoyed it.   K provided hot mince pies with a topping of brandy butter as a little extra and they were scrummy.

The farmer meanwhile, well wrapped up, is shooting today.   As I write this I can hear the guns in the background.   The local Hunt called to say they would be hunting our fields today but when the farmer told them that we would be shooting they changed their minds.   I suppose the sound of the guns gives the fox too much warning of approaching danger. I was just pleased that any foxes in our area would get a reprieve.

Our local market town is holding a fun day today.   There is an ice rink in the Market Place, a Craft tent with presents to buy, the local brass band is playing, Santa has a Grotto and is switching the Christmas lights on at 5pm this evening - it's all happening and I am sure the children will love it.  They have even relaxed parking charges for the day.   I am steering clear - I have no desire to see Santa in his Grotto, my Christmas shopping is finished and I am sure that my ice-skating days are over (they actually never started).
Call me Mrs Grinch if you like, but I shall sit by the fire when I have taken Tess for her walk in a few minutes.

Keep warm and snug and have a lovely weekend.


17 comments:

Cro Magnon said...

I hope you have a few pheasants for the freezer by tonight, although I wouldn't fancy the wretched plucking etc.

John Going Gently said...

Keep snug ( even if you are undressing in front of the window)

Heather said...

Those cows have palatial accommodation. I can empathise with them as I too like to be warm and well fed. Glad the foxes have had a reprieve, and that you have newcomers enjoying the hospitality at the village coffee mornings. The local children must love the Christmas market.

Twiggy said...

Snug and warm is the place to be today!! I'm glad the foxes have a reprieve too.
Twiggy

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Snug and warm with Tess by the fire? Hardly a Grinch-worthy activity. Sounds to me like the perfect way to spend an afternoon during the festive season. Seeing your cows all cozy, too. Made me happy.

Thanks for your kind wishes on my blog. Yes, I am indeed doing well. Drove yesterday all by myself, just two weeks out! Went to get a manicure, so you see where my priorities are! Edward is an excellent nurse!
xoxo

Terra said...

Keep warm, and those cows have a nice home. The meeting you describe and the market place sound nice. I am sorry to hear about the water surges and some homes possibly washed away. Much of the USA is having ice and snow storms and 11 people have died. Where I live in California we are having nice weather, what a blessing.

Willow said...

The fire and Mince pies sound delightful !!
Love seeing the dairy girls :)

Terry and Linda said...

What a lovely warm barn! The cows are looking very fit and comfy!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”

angryparsnip said...

Enjoying your back and forth with John.
I have no curtains on my windows but I live up on a hill and no one around to look in.

Thank you so much for the photos of the cows.

cheers, parsnip

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed seeing the photos! I seem to be hiding away from Christmas this year too, and feel that at this age I have the luxury of a quieter one. I ventured out to the shopping mall yesterday and it was madness! I think the cows have the right idea - peace and quiet..and calm!

jinxxxygirl said...

I too am avoiding the hub bub of the season as much as possible. If i was smart i would buy enough food in October so i wouldn't have to go grocery shopping until January 1st. :) I try to make most of my gifts handmade.... Stay warm. Hugs! deb

Barbara said...

What a nice spot for the cows!So snug, warm and dry!
So sorry for the folks along the coast. I feel their pain. We're in for some awful winter weather...snow and ice in abundance. ugh!
I don't think you sound grinch-like at all. It sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
I hope you can enjoy a peaceful time by the fire.

Frances said...

Thank you for this post about what the recent storm's effects were. Good for those areas that were spared.

I do agree about your view of those cows having their own version of heaven.

As someone who lives in New York City (not at all a country sort of place) I truly enjoy reading posts from places that are so far from big cities. It's interesting to see how we do travel through the same days, weeks, months of our lives in different places...yet can recognize similar things going on in our lives.

The drawing in of winter has had many responses from human beings over the centuries; it's grand that our ways to communicate with each other now lets us compare how late autumn manages that transition in various parts of the world in this still new century.

Have I rambled?

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

A shoot going on and no one hunting for the foxes; bad news all round for the pheasants - no wonder I found one in the Botanic Gardens in the middle of Cambridge the other day.

Elizabeth said...

Snug and warm is the way to be!
Oh happy cows!

ArtPropelled said...

I havn't even started my Christmas shopping! Nor have I eaten my first mince pie. Ah well... tomorrow's another day.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for visiting. Today is chilly and wet, so I am sure that those cows are pleased to be in.