Daydream fund challenge part 4

RAS

I had got 'permission' to miss one of the big shows so I could go up to Orkney in July last year. Not sure if that's even going to be possible this year.

Life seems to have shrunk considerably. Must get to the plot but the ground is very wet.

Ted_Head

Everything frozen solid here - sheep baaaing for extra feed - water frozen in the field but it's Winter. Roads not great but passable so thought we'd get some haylage etc in and do a posting of stuff needing to go out. Cracking cold - icicles like massive daggers on the cliff face on the road out and all the goats hanging about licking salt off the road. Deer: easy to spot now that the hills are blanket white and loads of fffffffffffffecking tourists parked up in all the laybys. If they've gone into the hills they're nuts as it's well below zero but that's what they do.

RAS

I'd assume that with the latest lockdown, they shouldn't be away from home? Any chance they'll come back to a fine, or are police just too stretched?

Ted_Head

There are about two police to cover the whole of this part of the country and I doubt they will be able to deal with everything. People are so selfish coming into isolated areas and putting immense pressure on the Mountain rescue service, ambulances etc.
In some areas the bin men are reporting on folks staying in holiday lets as everyone is getting fed up of it.
Frozen solid and the fields are skating rinks. Last time out shopping lidls had bags of carrots, sprouts, parsnips for 14p a bag so I bought a dose of them and giving them to the sheep as well as their beat pellets - just gives them a treat and some greens.
Loads of deer on the roads and a few young ones skittering around - they look like they are just nervous and you never know which way they'll jump.
Had a routine appointment at the hospital tomorrow but it's been cancelled due to lack of staff which sounds slightly ominous. Just doing the basics outside which is always tiring in well below freezing temps. I shut down at this time of year - semi-hibernating.

RAS

Snow here today although I'd rather that then the sub zero frosts with icy patches that hadn't cleared from the last light snowfall. Thought it would be worse because it was heavier in the morning when I was shopping. Really just a dusting now. Means that the ground on the plot's been either sodden or frozen for a month now..

Would like to do some pruning but want to avoid night time frosts immediately afterwards. Heart you've had very hard frosts up the North West, Ted. Does the proximity to the sea help at all?

Ted_Head

We had quite a covering of snow too this morning on top of the ice. It doesn't feel as cold but the roads are blocked. 
I think the nearness to the sea doesn't make too much odds as we are near the top of the Loch so quite a narrow strip of sea really. But I think that in some of the inland glens it will be very cold - that's why all the deer and goats come down to get a bite to eat and to shelter from the icy blasts.
One year in the caravan it was about -19 outside and the frozen condensation was about a couple of inches thick at the bottom of the single glazed door - we couldn't open the door for ages as it was iced shut. It was quite a depressing time as OH was ill and we had no money to continue building - we were literally just surviving and no more. I still appreciate living in a warm house with warm water coming out of the taps. I've lit the stove upstairs again today and that is like luxury. I'll soon be running out of wood at this rate. 
A young deer skipped past in the garden - must have come in up from the shore - I've seen it a couple of times and think it's living down the croft somewhere. Don't know where it's Mother is but seems to be surviving okay. I must walk down tomorrow with sticks and look for tracks - that's always interesting at this time of year with snow everywhere.

in_my_wellies

Good morning all

Ted-Head, I totally agree about the tourists in the hills and mountains putting many other lives at risk. My late husband volunteered with the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue way back in the 1960s and 70s and the stories they told were unbelievable - and that was just in the summer.  We donated the money raised at his funeral to them.  

My daughter had to pull up sharp the other day when a muntjac hopped across in front of her. Good to know they're about but I wish they would develop just a bit of road sense. 

I'm sitting here watching one blackbird trying to defend all six apples I put out yesterday. Hopping from one to another must be using more energy than he's gaining 

Davesnave

Police were out and about on the roads today more than usual, but they're probably focusing on the beaches and moors. They didn't want to waylay me on my route to Morrisons anyway. I think we're supplied for the next ten days now, so the weather can do what it likes. There was a lot of rain last night, as the rivers were very high, but I didn't hear much of it.

I believe yesterday used to be celebrated with a bonfire, Ted. Something about the track of the sun. Well, I got in early and had one on Monday after visiting the posh dentist, who relieved me of £800 and promised more root canal action next month. Perhaps I should start saving now for the new knee I shall need in a few years time, thanks to a motorbike accident in 1970. I spotted a young lady in a mini-skirt, which wasn't unusual then, but she was a student like me on her way to her first teaching practice and I was shocked at the immodest nature of her attire. Anyway, I failed to concentrate, lost control and soon my attire was a damn sight less modest too, with my trousers torn to shreds. At least she got to her destination on time and without a crutch. Blooming staff room was upstairs too at that one!  Happy days....

goldfinches

Just popping by to say I came across this site Hand tools - The Vintage Kitchen Store  while diving down various interesting rabbit holes and thought others might find it useful. Vastly overpriced of course but there you go.

ukmaggie45

OH brought me in some roses from the front garden today! I'd seen them through bedroom window, but didn't really think they'd be any good. Not sure how well they'll last, but one of them is open and smells fantastic. 

Plus still enjoying the perfume from the ornamental quinces - have several in a bowl on my over the bed table. Every so often have a great waft of the perfume from them.  Nearly over now - drying up and have rotting patches. But they've been a gift from Nature over the last few months.  To every thing there is a season...