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| The only good thing in Downton, Siohban Finnerhan as O'Brien |
I know everyone seems to be blogging about the arrival of autumn, but when you live your life mostly wearing wellies, that sharp cold snap in the air, somewhat dominates your attention. The nights have drawn in, the wood burner has been lit and and dissapointmernt is in the air on Sunday nights as Downton Abbey has sadly morphed itself into a cheaply written daytime soap.
Autumn has arrived.
I hope it's not going to be another wet winter. Cold the animals cope with ease, cold and wet...they don't
Cold, wet days are cruel.
Cold and wet days halt work on the allotment
Cold and wet days fill the cottage with muddy paw prints and damp
Cold and wet days empty the village
Having said this, the arrival of ice and snow has it's own downside here in Trelawnyd.
Waterfeeders require ice clearing at least three times a day and the animals need extra feed to fight the effects of the cold.
The berlingo does not cope well on icy roads and I am worried about getting to my brother's house up in the sticks when even 4 x 4 s struggle with the conditions........
Last night the moon was shining brightly behind the churchyard trees. With the leaves almost gone from the branches , the sillolettes of the guinea fowl crowched firmly against the wind could be clearly seen. Of all the animals, they alone have to face the winter elements without shelter. This will be their third Christmas alone in the Graveyard.
So, it's time to order some straw to insulate the pig hut and it's time to dig out Mrs Hopkin's mittens to wear out on the field.....
I hate winter
So, it's time to order some straw to insulate the pig hut and it's time to dig out Mrs Hopkin's mittens to wear out on the field.....
I hate winter
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| The guineas in last year's snow from left to right-Ivy Hughie and Alf |
And I had such high hopes for Downton Abbey. Thanks for the heads-up.
ReplyDeletem.
Understandable John boy, although on the plus side it does mean an excuse for drinking damson or sloe gin which I happen to have a plentiful supply of this time - want some?
ReplyDeletecause the cider won't be ready till next year!
ReplyDeleteI love winter when it is cold and sparkling but not when it is wet, damp and with cold that gets to your bones. I do love to be curled up inside with a good book, wood stove lit and a cup of hot choc on a winters night. I think this week the wood stove will be lit for the first time this season.
ReplyDeleteLast night we lit our wood-burner for the first time this season and Daisy ~ the newish member of the household ~ loved it. She lay on the rug in front of it, stretched out with her furry little belly soaking up the warmth. Cats really do love heat, don't they, and quickly seem to find all the hot spots around the house LOL
ReplyDeleteHubby said that he'd heard we might have snow this week ~ oh joy *sigh*
Guilty as charged! I have been so caught up with the glories of autumn that I had completely forgotten the awfulness of a cold, wet winter when the chill goes through to your marrow (selective amnesia, I suppose) and makes life in the country a test of character and stamina.
ReplyDeleteThe north wind doth blow
ReplyDeleteAnd we shall have snow
And what will poor John Gray do then poor thing?
He'll flop in his chair
With geese everywhere
While his dogs are creating a din, poor thing!
Hope you have a quick dry winter, John.
ReplyDelete*hugs* ♥
I hate Winter. It hasn't yet arrived chez nous, but roll on Spring anyway!
ReplyDeleteThe cold and dampness will call for extra hot totties.
ReplyDeleteYP
ReplyDeleteBOOM BOOM!
Last year, as I trudged two miles every day through knee high snow, carrying a large jerry-can of hot water for the chickens (morning and night), I had the same feeling of grim dread.
ReplyDeleteIt all passes though John. We know what's (potentially) coming now so it's all down to the prep.
I too hate it when its wet and cold, the damp gets into your bones the older you get......
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
We haven't started the gas burner here yet, but it could be any day now!
ReplyDeleteIf I had 98 critters to tend I'd probably feel the same way John....but I don't. Give me the cool/cold temps any day over the hot/humid summer. Hey, can I help it if my ancestors settled in Canada!
Every year I say I need a winter-time hobby outdoors... something to make it more enjoyable. And you just reminded me, why I never do! *brrrrrrrrrrrrrr*
ReplyDeleteI too am having a Downton crisis. It wouldn't have happened on the Beeb
ReplyDeleteAfter all the hype, we got Downton Abbey season one on DVD...loved it...and WAS looking forward to season two...but it sounds as though it would be a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteJohn, go and sit on the naughty chair (I know you have one) for mentioning the W word.
Jane x
I don't like winter either John. I don't know much about your guinea fowl...why don't they have night time shelter? Is it just that the breed prefers to be out of doors?
ReplyDeleteToday, it will get to 86F for the high, tomorrow, it will be cold, rainy, and miserable. Yep, it's all downhill after today and I don't like it one bit. Will have frost and misery in a couple days.
ReplyDeleteI hate winter as much as you, John!
I do love guinea fowl - sadly the farmer doesn't so that is the end of it!
ReplyDeleteYes, increasingly I hate winter too. It is OK in front of the woodburner with a glass of mulled wine, a box of chocs and something other than Downton (have never watched it) on the telly - but as you say, those of us who keep animals have to brave the elements, get freezing cold and then paddle through the house with muddy feet. Roll on Spring i say.
The only people I know who like winter are childen and skiers. I am neither and hate the thought of cold and snow.
ReplyDeleteI hope it will be a mild winter for you
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly!
ReplyDeleteI hate winter too. Cold, dark, dreary. I'd love to be an animal that hibernates all the way through until it gets warm again.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I am going into shorts and T shirt, sipping a cool ale and watching cricket!
ReplyDeleteYou should have gobe with Spooks for Sunday night entertainment.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the weather. I've had a cold for the past few days, but the effects always seem worse when it is cold, windy and wet as it has been today.
I agree with you taking care of livestock in the cold (with dampness added) is horrendous...trying to muck out a cowshed when the cow pies are frozen is terrifically exciting or keeping all the living critters hydrated when the water refreezes almost as soon as one puts it in the water dish. I hope the guinea fowl survive the winter, can't remember what Don and I did with out guineas on the coldest nights...I think we forced them to go into the second room of the chicken house. I once had a bantam rooster freeze on the roost...the very large hens I had didn't like him and wouldn't sleep close to him to keep him warm.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear about Downton Abbey...I was really looking forward to seeing it again.
don't be talking winter, please...still warm here and we are the same latitude aren't we!
ReplyDeleteWe don't get much in the way of cold weather here, but when we do, the only part I dislike is having cold wet feet. But a nice fire in the fireplace, an afghan, and a lap full of cats can set that right quickly enough. And a wee spot of bourbon doesn't hurt, either.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I haven't dealt very well with winter (maybe not having my rooster to keep me warm has something to do with it) and I wonder if I have to re-appraise my country ways. It's never as cold here as you experience, but heck we had real lasting snow this winter. Anyway I am going to be following all my British bloggers' accounts of weather from now on, in preparation for my visit in December!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Hopkins' Mittens! Sounds like a book title. Cold and wet? And here I am complaining about it being still summer-like here today.
ReplyDeleteI was missing a real winter, until you reminded me of the nastiness -- midwest winters can get that way. In south central Texas Hill Country, we are just now getting to the high 70s (probably 24-26 Celsius) then back to the 80s in temperature.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the wet and damp is the worse. It's the only time we have to blanket the horses. (and it doesn't even have to be below freezing.) Thank goodness it's usually only a few days here.
Yes, winter is on its way. I ordered a tonne of wood bricks for the wood stove, need to have the chimney cleaned, and the boat is out of the water. Need to winterise her before too long, and i've got a week or so i'm guessing before a hard frost to harvest the very small cranberry crop, collect rose hips, pull out the summertime plants, and add some soil to the asparagus plants (newly planted this spring).
ReplyDeleteWe get mostly snow over winter, and after the first real covering (usually first week of December), we don't see the ground again until April.
Can you get snow tyres for the Berlingo? they might help with navigating some of the roads.
megan
I hate winter too. Too bad I spend much of it in Alaska!!! xo
ReplyDeleteSalt blocks to encourage animals to drink more. Increases hydration, decreases cold stress, Lots of dry bedding and LEAVING a good thick manure pack under the clean bedding. Insulates and the composting underneath helps generate more heat. And the best trick yet a big shot of Red Breast whiskey in my coffee thermos whenever I venture outside. "Ones gotta do what ones gotta do." Shakespeare I thinketh.
ReplyDeleteDaisy - More "Hot Totties"!!! how many attractive young ladies do you normally have over LOL! If you meant hot toddies then what time shall I come over :o)
ReplyDeleteI think I was a cat in a previous life - I hate cold and wet and love to bask in a sunny warm spot and could quite happily do so all day! Bring on the lottery win and I'm off! X
Don't hate winter John...makes it last so much longer!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm with you on the hating Winter!
ReplyDelete