Friday 5 February 2021

Friday

Not a lot to write about today - it is easy when the weather is like it is to become obsessed by it.   Rain, snow, fog, bitter cold- we have had them all over the past week and there seems little or no end to it as more of the same is forecast for the next week or so.   And yet - just for an hour - at the end of this afternoon the fog cleared and the sun came out and it lifted the spirits as only the sun after fog can do.   Added to that friend G called on her afternoon walk for a five minute chat from the middle of the front lawn.

Apart from G the only other people I have spoken to today are S, who called to return some books I had lent her, to borrow another book I had recommended (Mothering Sunday) and to bring me a loaf from town as I am in danger of running out of bread before my order  arrives from Tesco  on Sunday morning.   Of course I also had the pleasure of the company of my Carer, J, for her hour this morning and you can't imagine how she cheers me up every morning.   She is like a breath of fresh air.

So, what to write about.   Well every afternoon, after I have done my exercises (at the moment the weather dictates that I can't walk out) I have an hour with my legs up.   I usually watch BBC1's 'Escape to the Country' and the agricultural programme which follows it - thus avoiding the temptation to get up and do something rather than rest.

For anyone who doesn't know the programme takes couples round three houses in their chosen area to see if they would care to buy one of them.   It is always a bit pseudo I feel but I watch because it is interesting to see the areas - mostly picturesque 'hotspots' - never places like central Birmingham.  I also find the houses themselves rather odd in that they all look totally unlived in although they are furnished and are for sale by whoever does live there.   Does anyone really live in such neat, tidy, unlived in properties?   If I was selling my bungalow I would certainly tidy round before anyone came to view but these places all look totally redecorated, weedless gardens, absolutely not a pin out of place inside or out.   Always makes me feel a bit slovenly.

And after that this evening I watched 'Flog It' and Paul Martin did a tour of the  Weather Centre which I believe is somewhere near Exeter.   These days it is all on line and very high tech.   Am I the only person left in the country who lines my barometer needles up every night when I lock the front door and gives it a little tap in the morning to see what the weather is going to do?__

 

20 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Do you watch The Bidding Room? I love it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Rachel I do and I love it too.

Debby said...

I am restless and ready to be done with these dreary days. I think everyone has reached that point.

Margie from Toronto said...

I do like "Escape to the Country" - but - what I find odd is the furniture layout. The rooms always seem to have all the couches and chairs line up along the walls and the tv always seems to be in a spot where no one could view it! I suppose it's to show the floorspace but it always seems so strange.
And why does the real estate person always take them to a place with 2 bedrooms, a tiny kitchen and a huge garden when they've asked for 4 bedrooms with a huge/eat in kitchen and a small, easy to care for garden (or the opposite)! I suppose they need to create some sort of controversy.

Sharon in Surrey said...

I still have a barometer - inherited from a gent I looked after 35 years ago. It's far more accurate than the news is but my right knee is the best weather forecaster.

Kathy said...

Glad to hear you are having your afternoon rest, I normally record the programmes you view and I watch when I go to bed. Hope you were watching Monty tonight visiting American Gardens, thought of you when one of the gardeners let's his mares tail grow and do it's own thing, the flowers looked beautiful, depending on where you have your mare's tail perhaps you could do the same thing. Spring is in the air, hopefully once this cold spell is over we will be able to go outside more. Take care & stay very safe.

Heather said...

I don't like being cold or confined to the flat because of icy pavements, but at least we are having a proper winter this year. Sorry to those whose lives are made more difficult by it. As long as it isn't pouring with rain or icy, I will get my morning plod done. I might even do a few exercises too. Must keep the legs going somehow.

Bonnie said...

It sounds like you have some good TV programs to watch. We have some of those shows here where they have people looking for a home to buy and it is just like you said with it not looking lived in at all. There is a big cold front moving in tomorrow here with snow and very low temperatures. It sure will be nice when we do see a little Spring. Have a good weekend!

Tom Stephenson said...

I think you may be the only person to tap their barometer every day or night now, Weave - no wait, you aren't. I have a sailor friend who does it too. I would do it if I had a barometer.

busybusybeejay said...

Must look up the Bidding Room.

it's me said...

I do the barometer thing!😀

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

I'm not sure if I saw the sun today or yesterday, but I have seen it recently.
My barometer hasn't worked in years.

Susan said...

The cold wet weather is getting to everyone. With 15 inches of snow and 4-8 inches more predicted for Sunday it is a lot of snow. I like home renovation programs and find it amazing when looking at the before and after.

Joanne Noragon said...

My sister does that, too, to the barometer our father bought in England.

Anonymous said...

My DH and I watch Escape to the Country here in Canada, they are quite old ones usually from 2014 or earlier. We agree that many of the homes are beautifully presented, but others look terrible - messy, with piles of clutter everywhere, and not just in one room like an office or utility room, but everywhere. I agree with another commenter above that they often show the prospective buyers homes that are not in their brief - way over budget, or not the right number of rooms or amenities.

I hope that your weather will improve before too long so that you can get out for your walks again. I enjoy your posts and find you to be a marvellous inspiration. I don't think I have half your energy, and the difference in our ages is such that you could be my mother!

Take care,
P

thelma said...

Our cottage once appeared on 'Escape to the Country', the chef who was looking round did not like the kitchen though, neither do I actually. But Paul fell in love with the house and that was that.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Tom - yes it does help if you actually have a barometer before you start tapping! I am told it is bad for the barometer anyway.
Kathy - I have recorded the programme to watch later today - Mares Tail - I shall watch that with interest.
Sharon - with your knee and my ankle together we have definitely cracked it!
Margie - agree. I always think that

Thanks everyone - we all seem of one mind here. Oh and if we all wish for a few days of sun maybe there will be a miracle.

Fifitr said...

They used to have messier houses on Escape to the Country but I suspect that nowadays the TV company might do a bit of tidying and rearranging before filming to make the properties look more glam, just like they put all the lights on even on a sunny day!

Anonymous said...

The clue is in the title - Escape to the COUNTRY. That's why they're not looking at houses in the centre of Birmingham!

Rambler said...

Did you see the 'Escape to the Country' which was about houses in Norfolk. I was SO irritated by the husband who kept saying, "Phenominal!" to every room he saw. Then his wife saw the garden and also described it as 'phenominal' . . . . that's when I ran, screaming, from the room!!!