Sunday 1 December 2019

Sunday

December has arrived, the sun is out, the sky is unbroken blue and the frost is thick.   My heating appears to have been on most of the night although set at eighteen when I go to bed.   Tess went out only reluctantly when I got up at half past six.   Well only reluctantly until she caught sight in the half light of the large black and white cat which stalks through my garden each morning leaving its mark on various trees then there was a stand off, a couple of barks and a streak of black and white as the cat beat a hasty retreat over the wall into the field behind.   There are sheep in the field now I notice so I am just hoping they don't decide to come over the wall and into my garden (it has happened before I understand (before I lived here)).

It is 'out to lunch' day - only three of us today- and I need to take Tess before I go, but must  wait for the frost to clear and the ice to melt off the footpaths.   A fall at my age could be disastrous.

The coming week sees three lunches out - one my regular every other Tuesday local lunch and two to meet friends on pre Christmas lunches - the first of these at the Wensleydale Creamery.   In addition it is my Book Group on Monday - we have all been reading Robinson Crusoe and I for one have really enjoyed it.

Lunch at the Golf Club meant driving up to a beautiful stretch of golfing grass - green where the sun was catching it and white where it was in the shade.   Still a few eager golfers out though.   Very busy in the cafe today - hardly surprising when it is such a good lunch every week without fail - a long and excellent three course menu, value for money and a friendly atmosphere.   When I returned home it was almost dark and already the ice was forming and I dare not walk with Tess so I let her out in the back garden and for a good ten minutes she chased up and down running off steam - I was pleased to see her do so as I always feel guilty if I can't walk her.   Now I feel much better about it.

The central heating has been on all the time for the last twenty four hours in spite of the sun shining into the bungalow directly all day.   Luckily it is set to come milder again by the week-end.   But I suppose that may well mean rain -it seems to be one or the other.   Keep warm wherever you are - and those of you who are taking the most exquisite photographs do keep doing so - to those of us who can no longer venture out in this weather it is a source of delight to see them.

17 comments:

JayCee said...

Your lunch sounds good, as always. It has been cold but sunny here today and I do have some photos to post tomorrow!

Rachel Phillips said...

Well don't fret if the sheep appear one morning in the garden. Call the farmer on the phone and go back to sleep. No harm will be done and whatever will return to normal in no time.

JanF said...

I envy you those lovely lunches out you have so very often! It's wonderful for your mental health to have many friends and the opportunity to go out to eat frequently.

justjill said...

Apart from the weather a good day.

angryparsnip said...

All the lovely week of lunches out sound very nice to me.
parsnip

Heather said...

Your lunches out always sound very tempting and it looks as if the coming week will be a good one! I am not sure what tomorrow's weather will bring us as just before dark I could see large clouds forming. Will it be more rain I wonder.
If the sheep should venture into your garden, set Tess on them and get the mint sauce out!

Cloudia said...

Wishing you a fine season. Enjoyed you account and the dear Tess running about with abandon

The Weaver of Grass said...

Rachel - I am not worried about my garden - on the farm we frequently had sheep straying there - and even cows once or twice - but my garden is steep and has a lot of steps - it is broken legs on sheep I worry about. I do know the farmer well and I am sure he would be round in no time - it is just the bother I could do without.

Heather - you made me laugh. Unfortunately I am not that keen on lamb or indeed meat at all - if I could be bothered I might even go veggie - but I do love jacket potatoes stuffed with crisp streaky bacon and they are so easy with a salad for my lunch.

Granny Sue said...

Lunch out with friends...what pleasure. I seldom get the opportunity as we are spread out so far.

I was in Miami last week, and the weather was perfect. When we got home, it was gray and chilly, with fog and drizzle. Made me miss the sunshine.

Joanne Noragon said...

Winter indeed, Weaver. I paid my November heating bill, a full fifty percent higher than my worst "air conditioned" bill of the summer. Groan.

Cro Magnon said...

I still have my Robinson Crusoe book from when I was about 10; it was a Christmas present.

VC said...

The lunches sound lovely and sociable. I'm on VERY earlies this week so to be honest little socialising gets done. It is very cold indeed, not sure it's defrosted round here for several days. Defrosting cars at 4.30am is not my favourite thing! Enjoy your lovely outings and keep warm!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Cro - wish I had still got mine. I have a few books from childhood but wish I had more; they bring back such lovely memories.

Thanks everyone.

Daisy Debs said...

Lol ! I ,ve had sheep in the garden ! The farmer eventually came and got them ....and I had plenty of lovely hot manure to put in a bucket to heat my greenhouse over the winter !Yes you take very great care if you have to go out maybe make sure you are with someone if you do . My husband has had hip replacement surgery and I worry about him slipping all the time too !
I love how you talk about the dog , makes me laugh so much ! Thankyou for your cheerful bloggings ! Debbie :) x

Midmarsh John said...

When I first moved here the property only had a low fence at the front. Each year it was amusing watching the shepherds trying to keep the sheep out of gardens as they were driven down the lane to what is now the cricket field. Our village is just not that 'rural' any more.

pam nash said...

Although cold, it sounds like a lovely day at your house and a busy week ahead.

Rambler said...

I'm afraid my photos are not very cheering - just a sad-eyed dog having to wear a plastic cone around his head so that he stops chewing at his tail. Back to the vet next Wednesday and hopefully the removal of that cone.
My garden was frosted this morning - the first I've seen this winter. But then, this is Cornwall, a few degrees warmer usually, though we do have lots of rain here on Bodmin Moor.