Tuesday 21 December 2010

In the bleak first day of winter

Today the solstice marks the first day of astronomical winter and the shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere, since the lowest recorded temperature in our little road during this cold spell is minus 15 it doesn't bode well.
Mr FF went down to Yorkshire at the weekend and though his journey home took twice the normal time he got back safe and sound, presents had been exchanged, office event attended and relax. I stayed home hoping the boiler man would arrive with the awaited spare part but he had emergencies to attend to. Our boiler is still working but not the automatic function, so this morning as usual I got up to switch the heating on whilst admiring the ice patterns on the inside of our bedroom window. Unfortunately there was a large pool of water on the boiler cupboard floor, we still have the heating working and Mr FF is hoping to investigate today. It doesn't look good and the nice boiler man is busy until at least Thursday. Hey ho, there are many people in worse situations, a neighbour has now run out of oil and the first possible delivery date in 06 January 2011, we are not living in Heathrow Airport or queuing for hours in the hope of catching a train, we are fine if a little concerned about going to Italy after Christmas.Apart from walking down into the village at the weekend to collect the papers that are left at the village hall and regularly clearing the drive, I have been no where. Which is a pity as I've rediscovered the pleasure of wearing the chullo that Mr FF brought me back from Peru many years ago. I look a complete ticket in it I admit but wearing it makes me extremely happy which will surprise a lot of people who know that I would never ever wear one of those silly paper hats from a Christmas cracker.
Hope you are waiting for Santa somewhere warm and cosy, not long now.

13 comments:

  1. Oh it does look like the perfect winter wonderland where you live Jenny! The photos are stunning! I too have a chullo and Mr JK hates it! He makes me take it off before going into buildings where I might be seen by someone!!!!! Keep warm.

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  2. And it all looks so very beautiful. Love the hat! xxxx

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  3. It seems the best business to be in at the moment is a boiler repair man - I know of several people who are hoping that theirs are repaired by the weekend.

    Am past the point of caring how I look in the cold weather - I just want to be warm!!

    That hat is great - very trendy at the moment ;)

    Merry Christmas xxx

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  4. Your photos are really, really beautiful! I think your hat is very lovely. I have to admit to never, never wearing hats!!!! Have a warm and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Ros

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  5. Isn't it odd? I WILL wear a paper hat, but any other sort......... we are all different, aren't we? Hoping your heating system holds out and that you have a cosy Chrismas.

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  6. Maybe when you will go the weather will be better.
    I was in Italy last July for 3 weeks and I can't wait to go there again. It was not the first time but,as you know, the more we go, the more we NEED to go again.

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  7. I have not yet ever, ever succumbed to wearing a hat although the temp has gotten down to -40 which is COLD!!! We have at least 20 inches of snow but are warm,dry and fed which is a lot to be thankful for.
    My hubby always wears a hat because he has no hair so winter and summer on the go the Tilley hats of varying weights!!

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  8. My boiler is working beautifully but somehow this makes me feel guilty....but my wood burner doesn't...this weather seems to be stipping us back to the basics which rather selfishly, now I have a house full of food I am enjoying.

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  9. Oh just look at those views, makes it all worthwhile... well, from here anyway!!! Love the hat, I'd wear it with a smile too.

    Have a wonderful Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

    Brenda

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  10. I have one of those too! along with a matching fetching pair of alpaca wool gloves with alpacas roaming across the knuckles. Stay warm and have a great Christmas Jenny.

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  11. Oh go on, make this the Christmas of wearing the silly paper hat.

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  12. I bet your hat looks great, and you cut a dash when you're out and about; and if you like it and it keeps you cosy, that's all that matters:-)

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  13. Happy Christmas to you both! It does look lovely where you are.

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