Mindless Thoughts - A Regular Winters Tale

[Cubist]

This morning I went out to clear the fresh snow from our paths for the first, but judging by the sky not the last, time. I suspect that many others were doing the same but the imperatives driving this recurring, but gratefully infrequent, task is our need to ensure easy/safe access and transport of logs from the various stores to the firesides. In an odd sort of way though its one of those tasks I rather enjoy. Well, I suppose that just underlines the masochistic tendencies that many of us Period Property stewards must be victims of.

Last nights fall was fairly light and the job was completed in just a few minutes but nevertheless those 'mindless' moments brought some thoughts to mind that provoked both joy and sadness. The smiles came from thinking about my new grand-daughter and her likely responses to that first crunch of fresh snow underfoot, her first ride on a sled, and even the tears from her first face-plant. All echoed and amplified by memories of her mothers early adventures and delights and tears in the cold stuff.

As I was wrapping up and beginning to put away the tools my thoughts turned to my mate and neighbour Gordon who passed earlier this year. In years before and after clearing my own paths I would go over to do the same for him to make sure that he could get to his own fuel stores without breaking a hip and incidentally check that he was warm and in good health. Truth be told he was a bit of a rascal and even without such an excuse he would break out a warming whiskey, or two, or three as a thank-you. Not that such was needed, over the years he had done me many similar small favours that more than balanced any books. During these and other encounters he would also welcome these excuses to reminisce about his days in the RAF during the Berlin air-lift or his time as a shop-fitter in Southampton and his family long history in small corner. I miss him but I am grateful for the smiles and chuckles he inspired.

 

[paulc]

Haven't had any snow here, and it hasn't been that cold either. Dropped to zero last night, and there was a very light drizzle of rain around midnight. The path out to the wood shed looks nice and safe. But looks can be deceptive. Nearly went a over t as I turned the corner....

Be careful out there folks. Even if it looks safe, it can be darned slippery.

 

[malcolm]

In the south east the temperatures have been low enough over the past few weeks to freeze my sand. I've got some plastering to do. New sand in those little bags and store them inside. Use the old sand for something else next year.

The snow was useful identifying energy inefficiencies. I can see my staircase wasn't insulated all that well by the roofers while I was in Sweden.

 

[88v8]

View from front and back windows, including our two bird tables.
The robin got so desperate for his breakfast he was in the seed pot before I'd scarcely got the lid off.

Got down to 59F in the sitting room before lighting up in evening, could have cranked up the storage rads a bit more but that's not really in the Period spirit, is it? To say nothing of the upcoming electric bill c£4k next year.

Thawing now.

 

[philpjuk100]

We have a "fat ball" bird feeder but am pleased to see the birds eating the fallen brambleys on the frozen ground that I did not clear up.( still don't like quarrelsome magpies!) but have wrens in the workshop so have to keep the engine I am working on covered.

 

[Cubist]

I failed to find my phone/camera in time to capture the moment yesterday so you'll just have to take my word for it but..... hearing a slight disturbance outside our kitchen I found a young buck/stag deer balanced on it rear legs using its antlers to dislodge the fruit from a crab-apple tree. The magpies kept a grudging distance and so did I.

 

[malcolm]

Don't forget to check for leaky pipes now the weather has warned. I probably should have switched off the supply to the laundry room.

 

[Cubist]

Don't forget to check for leaky pipes now the weather has warned. I probably should have switched off the supply to the laundry room.

Oops. With all the travails of earlier this year I DO NOT want more of the same. Ta much and bah humbug.

 

[LadyArowana]

We have a "fat ball" bird feeder .......

I had a huge bucket of those, tried hanging them from a bracket on a wall, no interest. Bought another type of feeder, hung it in a tree, no interest. We get an assortment of birds in the garden, but they must be very choosy.

The swans and ducks on the canal are much more grateful for their special Swan and Duck food though.

 

[Feltwell]

We have "The Velociraptors" - as they've been dubbed - seemingly hundreds of sparrows in the hedges and bushes in our front garden. I have a hanging seed feeder in view of the lounge window, it's nearly always got a full contingent of sparrows on it with more queuing, it's a battle to keep it filled up - a litre jug of seed a day they go through, just from that 1 feeder. I joke with the kids that one day if I'm not fast enough they'll find me pinned to the floor by a couple of hundred angry sparrows, pecking furiously at me! I buy seed in 25kg sacks,

Calciworms and more seed goes in a basket on the ground for the resident blackbird and robin, providing they beat the big fat wood pigeon to it!

A big shallow bowl of water is down as well, which is defrosted several times daily if need be.

I'm very soft on the birds!

 

[Cubist]

Personally I try to avoid offering too much encouragement to the local bird population. The typical varieties; finches, blue-tits, sparrows and others are more than welcome and the First Lady is often to be found offering a helping hand but I draw the line at magpies - noisy murderous perishers - and pheasants for the equally rowdy behaviours and the larger deposits they typically leave in the most inconvenient places.