Frozen In - What a Difference a Day Makes

A gorgeous Robin standing on the ice.

Snow and Ice

We have been off line since yesterday so I've only just been able to post. We had snow - yes snow on Sunday, then yesterday it froze and today it's even worse, with temperatures hitting -7 last night, which is very cold for Ireland. We have been using extra pellets in our wood pellet boiler as a result and supplies in our barn have become depleted. Jim rang to see whether we could get a delivery. They said there were 15 deliveries before us and they couldn't guarantee it before Christmas, so Jim decided he would have to risk it and go and collect some.

To get to the main road from here is a mile long track/road and the half up to the road is up hill! It was ok going out as the temperature had risen a bit and the worst part, as you have to stop at the top of the hill to see whether you can move out onto the main road, was slushy, so Jim managed that ok. He had to drive pretty slowly all the way. The weather forecast gave freezing temperatures up until Christmas Day, so Jim decided he'd do the shopping on Monday in case we couldn't get out again.

I took Buster for a walk and the snow had frozen on the road. We hardly made any footprints at all. Buster can't understand the ice and why he can't drink from the buckets as he usually does. I took one or two photos of course!! I didn't dare cross Kevin's yard to get down to the lake side as a stream runs down it and it was solid ice! It seemed to get dark so early, I guess it was about 4 ish and Jim hadn't returned. I was a bit worried but he turned up about 5 armed to the teeth with Christmas food!

It's started snowing now!

He had managed most of the journey without mishap except the last part, just before the turning to the long road to ours, where a tanker had got stuck. Lots of people helped, someone fetched grit and a tractor pulled the tanker away. Then Jim couldn't get the Doblo moving up the hill, so it had to be pushed and away he went. The track to ours was by then frozen solid and he said he just slid most of the way! How frightening.

We think we are now stuck in until it warms up again. It's just not worth risking the roads, that's if we could get out to the main road! Talk about climate change.

Jim took a few photos of the snow falling on Sunday:

Buster licking up the snow. He thought it was wonderful.
The barn behind the snow. Roses on the left!!

Snow on The Deenery steps.


Buster in the snow.



Compare my frog, in the top picture he's all frosty and underneath, he's wearing a snow hat!


The barn patio covered in frozen snow, taken 21st December, 2009.

Frozen snow on stones.

The road to the lake with Flagmount sprinkled with snow behind.


Melting ice on the road. Do click on this if you have time - the patterns are amazing.

Bracken with melting snow.

Feed the Birds

We have been feeding the birds daily. We have 2 feeding stations and today Jim put a coconut out, which the tits particularly love. I managed to take some photos of them feeding yesterday:

A goldfinch enjoying the nuts

This is the face of a goldfinch, they have a lovely red band round their beak, which is so cute.

A Great Tit and a Goldfinch's tail!

A blue tit, another of my favourites.

Latch Hook Rug

Yesterday evening I finished my turquoise latch hook rug. I'm quite pleased with it, although I'm not sure where it will end up:

Family

My son Jason and his family have had a lot of snow in East Anglia, UK. I stole these photos from Jason's Facebook album:

Beautiful Jack with 'Chilly the Penguin'. He made it with his Daddy.


He looks so excited, doesn't he?

Jack on the settee, warming up his very cold feet!!

I can't wait for a Jack hug in January. And a Kitty one of course.

Decorating Progress

Jim is busy painting my room, which is having yellow walls. He is concentrating on the wall where my computer goes, so that I can move it in there. I can't wait. I have already varnished the skirting boards and door surround.

That's about it for now. We have received some gorgeous Christmas cards, including one of/from Poppy and family. I will photograph it and show you tomorrow!