First to report that Mr Winkle has survived intact thanks to friend T this morning moving him a bit further along and into a safer place. He refuses to believe that Mr Winkle was shifted by the strength of the wind. All I know is that I watched the wind make him wobble back and forth when it was at its height. But, whatever caused him to move, I can report that he has come through the storm unscathed and with all bits and pieces intact.
It seems ages since Priscilla and I ventured out in the weather. (As somebody said - there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing). To be totally frank, at my age I can - if necessary - use the weather as a perfect excuse for not venturing out and that is what I have been doing. Looking out this morning, every single flake of snow had disappeared overnight, the sun was getting up and it promised a possible walk day. But it has gone steadily downhill since then and is now a miserable damp day.
Friends are promised to come for the day on Thursday but as it involves coming over the top of the Pennines whichever way they come, they are understandably waiting until the last possible minute to make up their minds. They are bringing the main course with them, a friend is preparing the veg and cooking them in my microwave and I am defrosting a key lime pie and serving it with local Madagascan Vanilla Ice cream. So not much to do for any of us.
I do hope they come. They are amongst my dearest friends and it is a long time since I sawthem 'in the flesh' and Zoom is just not the same. So let's hope there is not another downturn in the weather.
Friends S and T have just called and we have coffeed and chatted. Their much loved and cossetted hens are shut in because there is an outbreak of bird flu not far away. They get incredibly well-looked-after and I must say their eggs have the most golden yolks I have ever seen. Typing this has prompted me to think I might well have a couple poached on toast for my tea.
It is almost dark at four in the afternoon in what my mother always called 'the dark days before Christmas' - then the days will begin to get longer again. Can't come soon enough can it? See you tomorrow.