Tuesday 8 January 2019

Tuesday

It is not often that the North is 'better' than the South - we are usually the underdogs (not that I mind as the South has so many more people and up here our countryside is quite empty = and long may it remain so) but weatherwise this week we are definitely the winners.   When I got up in the night and looked out of the window the sky was literally ablaze with stars and until a short time ago the sky was an unbroken blue and the sun was shining.    Cold it might be but it is a lovely day.
Friend S has been and taken Tess for a lovely long walk so she is very happy too. 

Yesterday fast broadband was added to my computer so that today there are teething problems
and for a while I couldn't get on to my blog.   Then my emails weren't working.   Now, at present, everything seems to be working well - time will tell.

A wonderful programme on television last evening had me enthralled with a journey from Vienna, through Switzerland and to the summit of the Eiger - all by train, including rack and pinion towards the end.   I have always been a great traveller - luckily both of my husbands enjoyed travelling too - but now my poor mobility means travel is virtually impossible on my own.   But programmes like this take me to places I shall never visit, without moving out of my armchair - so bring them on I say. 

Last week it was three great rivers of the world from source to the sea - the Amazon, the Nile and the Mississippi - how lucky we are to have programmes like these brought into our homes.   I often think how much my parents, especially my father, would have enjoyed this.   My father was a great amateur naturalist and some of the programmes on natural history would have enchanted him.

Great day for drying clothes = towels flapping on the line - must fetch them in, I don't think they will dry any more today.   So until tomorrow.....

20 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Great day here in the east too. I like a good rack and pinion gear.

Tom Stephenson said...

And here in the South West. Must be nationwide.

Derek Faulkner said...

Not sure what part of the South that you are referring to but here on Sheppey we have had unbroken sunshine since dawn, with a dry and chilly wind ideal for drying the washing. Same is forecast for tomorrow.

donna baker said...

Perhaps an early spring? Fingers crossed. The sparrows are busy readying their houses under the eaves, maybe even sleeping in them. They were eating shelled walnuts for the squirrels this morning.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

We've had sunshine in Essex up until 3. I've been painting and I need the light.

thelma said...

Weather beautiful here, but a sharp cold wind from the North. I have heard rumours of another 'beast from the East' at the end of January but who knows?

Gwil W said...

Snow flurries here. Gales and a big dollop of the white splendour as they call it on the way on Wednesday which means more avalanches in the mountains and valleys. Rescue services at full stretch. The Swiss trains are second to none. Clean, punctual, warm, panorama windows polite, helpful and informative staff. I remember asking a man behind the ticket office glass in Bern station the way to the train for the next day and he came out of his office and took me to the place and got me a return ticket and told me the times and the times of the best return trains and even wrote it all down. His uniform was almost like that of the England manager Gareth Southgate, except he wore a cap. Brilliant.

Sue said...

I travelled a lot when I was younger, but now a 95-year-old mother-in-law who lives with us and many cats and dogs keep me close to home. I guess I've turned into a bit of a homebody too to be honest. But I would like to see Denmark and Norway some day. I Love the photos I find on Pinterest.

Derek Faulkner said...

I noticed that your favourite antiques programme was enjoying the Garden of England today. Did you notice the Isle of Sheppey close to Herne Bay.

Bonnie said...

How nice that you have enjoyed a beautiful day! I imagine the programme on the rivers was good. We spread my brothers ashes at the beginning of the Mississippi River per as wishes. It is a beautiful river and travels an interesting path.

Heather said...

We have had a fine day down here too - quite mild for January. I am an armchair traveller too and have been visiting Alaska with Michael Portillo this evening. The scenery there is stunning.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Heather perhaps armchair travelling is the best at our age.
Thanks everyone for the comments. It looks as though almost all of us have had a lovely day rather than the cloud cover the forecast said we would mostly have.
They keep talking about another 'Beast from the East' - my stock cupboard and my freezer are both suitably full - I think both Tess and I could survive for a t least a fortnight without any trouble - maybe longer. But let's hope the occasion doesn't arise.

Andie said...

Yes, a lovely day here in West Yorkshire. First time for at least six months that the washing was practically dry, only needed a very short time in the drier. Like yourself I also watched the trip up the Eiger, even Chris Tarrant was nervous looking over the edge. I should have been terrified but what a view. Also been watching Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall whatever people may say about him he is a realist. I am a coward and could not bring myself to kill anything but I do eat meat so I am also a hypocrite, he shows it as it is. May this lovely weather continue, they keep mentioning the beast from the east but Brexit might keep it away, some hope. Have a good sleep. Love Andie xxx

Helsie said...

Well, the weather is not so lovely here. Fine I'll grant you, but hot and humid. Awful. I guess we're never satisfied !

lynda said...

The North of England where you live wins hands down!! I'd love to live there!!!
Very rainy here..and muddy. With fog today. Last year we were 20" over the regular rainfall..this year seems that it will be the same!

Penny said...

I too am an arm chair traveller but here in Oz, our TV is full of tennis and cricket, neither of which I am sorry to say I am interested in.

Librarian said...

Very windy here yesterday, wet and grey, with all the snow gone. But it is forecast to return by the end of the week, hopefully without affecting my train trips to and from OK's.
I like travelling - to a certain extend; I am not too keen on flying, as it always involves so much waiting around at airports.

Anonymous said...

I agree about the North.
I'm Northern and proud of it!
Please could you tell us which channel the train journey programme was on and, if possible, the title.
I've searched google but to no avail so far.
Sue

Rachel Phillips said...

Chris Tarrant Extreme Railways Channel 5

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I can see your towels on the line, flapping in the breeze. As to travel shows, I believe my longing for travel began as a very young student, reading of those who lived other places and then from movies shown at school of the wonders around the world.

I hope your computer is back to par. I hate when those changes are made. Frustrating.