Winter bites...

I was in at work early this morning, not really knowing what to expect. We awoke to a thin layer of snow that fizzled out by the time it was properly light. We managed to put some salt down in the car park and on the path leading to the Nursery but we have only half a bag left and there was no more to be had...anywhere!

I did the wages today after receiving warnings that the weather is going to worsen tonight and tomorrow. At least if I can't get into work tomorrow everyone will be paid!

As it turned out we were quite busy at work which was great. The news is full of the weather and how it could turn out to be the coldest winter for years or even decades.

After work we sat in the dining room and had a game of cards. It's the first game we've had for ages and although I miss sitting in the conservatory, it's a lot warmer in the house and we're saving a fortune by not heating the glass house! When the weather turns warmer, we'll dismantle the Scalextric and resume normal service. Spring and summer seems a long way off at the moment, but soon enough this spell of Arctic weather will be a distant memory.

Snow?

It's been another very cold day today with the temperature down to -5 on the way to work this morning. There is a threat of snow and although I know it causes havoc and is bad for business, part of me is getting very excited that we may be in for more of the white stuff. I remember back in February 09 when we had a lot of snow I didn't really enjoy it, but this time, if we do get a lot, I'm going to try and forget about the problems it causes at work and try and have fun. I think everywhere looks so beautiful under a coat of white and it's not as if it lasts a long time...

We did more de-Christmastizing (Bella's word!) at work but my dreadful cold made me feel a bit breathless as I'm so stuffed up! I really should be in bed with a hot toddy, a hot water bottle and a good film!

Full of cold...

Waking this morning, my bloomin' cold was worse than ever so this morning was spent just pottering around and doing very little. I watched a good film with Richard Gere which had me shedding a few tears (Nights in Rondanthe) and then I went out with Mum and Soph to Weedon for a cup of tea and an amble around the twee little shops which are full of useless tat, but which is an enjoyable excursion nonetheless.

It's still very cold (-3 driving home) and we went into Mum and Dad's for a quick drink. On the television we watched Julia Bradbury climb Helvellyn which is something I've always wanted to do. She looked terrified most of the way up to the summit and I have a feeling I would be as well if I were in her shoes!

The children are not looking forward to returning to school tomorrow but I have a feeling Keith will heave a sigh of relief that things will be back to normal and he will have the house to himself once more. I can't believe that Christmas and the New Year have gone over so quickly!

A cold day...

We took all the Christmas decorations down today which was a bit sad. I got into an awful tangle with all the lights and tinsel but a bit of patience worked it out in the end. Looking back over the festive season, it wasn't one of the best, despite a lovely Christmas Day, and I'm just glad and relieved that it's a new month, a new year and a new decade.

I felt like having a good clean out today and did manage to change our bed and put brand new bedding on.

We didn't do much today. It's freezing cold here. I hung about in the garage for a while trying to capture our two bird visitors on the camera but they must have known I was there and disappeared. We have a fat blackbird and an equally portly robin who spend most of the day with us and it would have been lovely to have taken a photo of them, but in the end I settled for a shot of our flowering geranium. It gives me hope that summer is not too far off.

New Year's Day

It was a welcome sight to see the sun shining this morning on the very first day of 2010 (it's going to take a bit of time to get used to writing that!).

I ushered my reluctant family out of the door and over to the Cotswolds for the day. My car is playing up very badly at the moment. It keeps telling me that I have a fault with my brakes (!) so mum and dad very kindly lent me their Mondeo which was lovely.

We drove over to Shipston-on-Stour via Banbury and as it was lunchtime decided to stop there rather than go on to Moreton-in Marsh. However, despite the free parking (now I know why!) there wasn't a great deal to see so we ended up in Moreton-in-Marsh anyway.

Lunch was at a very good hotel - the Redesdale Arms...

http://www.redesdalearms.com/

I chose a local beer - the Hook Norton 12 Days which was delicious! Very dark and bittersweet.

I managed to only take a couple of photos - the one on here is an ornate roof and windvane from a building in the town.

Janie

Really looking forward to 2010

One thing I'm going to do tonight is lock up the cats. I'm not blaming them (well...OK...I am) but Archie shot through the door before Keith could do his first footing last New Year's Eve and it hasn't exactly been a wonderful year. I will greet him at the door with some money, a drink and something to eat (finding a lump of coal is a bit harder) and hopefully, 2010 will get off to a better start!

Florida - 30th of April to the 6th of May, 2009

No journal, sadly. A selection of photographs: