Non-skid, Non Chic

This is the best way to ensure not to slip in the icy conditions - wear your socks! The temperatures have been down to minus 13C and yesterday it snowed again. We braved the roads all the way to the supermarket - admittedly I had my hat over my eyes - oh no, I was not the driver by the way!

Sadly my trusty socks were not man enough to get me down to the pub quiz for the special Christmas edition.

We woke up to minus 11.4C

A view over the fields behind our house. I could hardly believe the thermometer this morning registering minus 11.4C. I have been recording the weather for over 30 years and only once have I recorded minus 12C in this neck of the woods and that was about 25 years ago.

Snowed In!

I was right to be a "Scaredy Cat" (see yesterday's post), overnight we have had a large dumping of snow! These pictures are taken through our upstairs windows and as I write it is still snowing hard. When it has finished tipping down I will enjoy myself outdoors in the field behind our garden. I love tramping through virgin snow on my crutches as I am relatively safe from slipping. My brother, safely back in Australia, rang through, over-excited about the cricket - he turned "native" as soon as he emigrated and wholeheartely supports "Down-Under"!

Scaredy Cat!

There was just a slight dusting of snow here overnight in North Wiltshire but quite icy roads. I decided to go swimming (this is a 20 minute drive along narrow lanes for part of the way). I was chugging away through my usual 30 lengths when I noticed a few people leaving the pool in a hurry. I looked up and found the snow was chucking it down outside. Well . . . . . . . I am nervous of driving in snow so I hurtled out of the pool, dragged on shoes, sweater and coat without stopping to dry myself or put on underwear or have the usual shower. The road was white until I reached the other side of Tetbury where it had not been snowing at all! I arrived home with sodden clothes and dripping hair - my husband was amazed at the bedraggled sight!

And I Won The Money!

I am a member of Calcot Spa where I regularly swim and today 22 of us sat down to lunch in the hotel section. Instead of "Secret Santa" we decided that each of us should put a £1 in the kitty and our names were entered into the draw. A very nice waiter who had gamely served us raucous ladies pulled my name out of the hat! The money nicely paid for my meal so I was well pleased!

Flight Plans

My brother flies back to Australia today so we took him up to Kemble Airfield to select a plane best suited for the job! Bye bye James hope to see you again some day!

Consolation Prize

It was that time of the month again - The Pub Quiz. My brother, who lives in Australia joined the ranks of our team "The Street Walkers". Nine teams fronted up for a very raucous evening - Aidan, the Quizmaster, was at his very best. We came a creditable 5th (I think) due to Aidan getting his knickers in a twist. However we did win a prize of some mince pies (thanks Aidan) for two reasons - we attended each quiz over the past year and also, I am sad to say, that last night were the oldest team by a country mile!

Toughening Up

My brother flew in from Australia, where he lives, ten days ago, leaving behind temperatures of 32C. Since then we have not experienced temperatures above freezing. I took him out on a walk when it was -5C just to toughen him up. Adding insult to injury England are doing pretty well at the Ashes cricket!