I'm shivering in my timbers here in the flatlands this week. You all know how much I loathe the cold and the snow, don't you? Well, it's really come to get me this week.
Last night we were supposed to have had a blizzard, but (to my relief) it didn't really materialise in our part of the world. However, it did snow quite substantially. Here's a photo of my Vereeniging in her new, fluffy white coat.
I did my best to prepare for the big freeze by unplugging the water pump, emptying all the pipes, emptying the cistern in the loo and leaving an electric anti-frost thingy on. Then I wrapped my water pump in a quilted cover and any exposed pipes and stopcocks are swaddled in disposable nappies and towels. Now, I can only hope for the best and say a few prayers to the water gods. We don't often get prolonged cold spells, so I sincerely hope this won't be one of them.
For the time being, I'm still trying to get out and walk but today's efforts were a bit feeble. All the same, I captured a few photos just to prove we have snow here as well (and that I went out in it!). I must say, though, I'm very impressed with our municipality. They always manage to salt the roads to make sure everyone can get out if need be. I did a bit of salting myself in front of the crumbly cottage but mine was table salt and not the real stuff. I'm proud to say it worked a treat and our pavement is completely clear. I can imagine it looked funny to see me there with our salt pot, but hey...whatever works!
Have a good week allemaal, wherever you are. Tomorrow, we shall have to go and check on the Hennie H...boats! Who'd have them?
Well, if you and Koos fancy moving on in the boat world and becoming pirates in a warmer part of the world, let me know where to send my CV - I have a job I’d very much like to ieave. (Apparently, my ancestors were pirates, off the coast of Plymouth. You never know, I might turn out to be genetically rather good at it!)
ReplyDeleteYou're on, Adrian. As long as you don't mind sharing your shoulder with a parrot and wearing the uniform eye patch :) I'm all for it, I might add! Nat can come too. I can just imagine her shimmying up the mast...
DeleteOh dear Val, I feel for you, I know how much you detest the cold. I love your form of pipe insulation, disposable nappies are as good as anything ekse and if there is any water leakibg out they will absorb it, lol.
ReplyDeleteSnow looks lovely and everywhere looks so pretty but it can be so damn cold. No snow here but it is -4°.
Love the photos and the blog.
Stay warm and safe my friend and fingers crossed the beautiful Vereeniging and Hennie H are both ok. xxx
Minus 4 is very cold. That's what we've got here today too and it's set to go lower tomorrow. Thank you for visiting my blog again. Your cheerful comments cheer me up no end :)
DeleteAww, Val...for someone who hates snow, you take lovely snow pictures! I'm with you on not wanting a blizzard, or indeed, any snow! I can do without pictures and get the first spring flowers when they arrive! (Steph)
ReplyDeleteYou and I are as one here, Steph. Roll on the spring!!
DeleteGosh, Val, I felt chilly just reading this! Well done you for making good on board, fingers crossed for you that they work out. And I love these snowy scenes, but really...it looks sooo cold. Take care out there! xx
ReplyDeleteBeth, it's a long time since it's been this cold and with no real end in sight...sigh.
DeleteI feel for you, Val, and fully sympathise with that niggling feeling that something has frozen that you forgot to lag, and what if the electricity supply's failed and the heater no longer works? I hope it warms up for you soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roger. From one who knows, you will also understand the anxiety very well. I'm afraid the prospects of it warming up are looking slim, so I will have to brave the elements and get there with my shovel to check on things. Luckily, I have no outboard water, so whatever is inside is all there is, but it's still worrying and yes, what if the electricity fails? My 'whatifometer' is giving me bad nights, I'll confess.
DeleteYou have my sympathy Val as I know how you detest this kind of weather. Your precautions all sound good but my goodness, what a lot of work just in case! I do hope that you don’t have any damage from frozen pipes etc! It all looks rather beautiful with its blanket of snow. We have about a foot here and it’s snowing again now. I dream of summer and warmer climes. Take care and stay cosy x
ReplyDeleteOh Rebecca, you have my deepest sympathy. I too am dreaming of summer. I feel just about done with winter, restrictions, curfews and everything else. I know it's not good complaining about things we can't change, but it's very wearisome, isn't it?
DeleteCold indeed! Pictures in our local newspaper today of skating on the Prinsengracht! Nothing like that here in sunny Southern California but the rest of the country is being hammered. Cathy Jo’s brother in Oklahoma hasn’t seen temps above freezing in a week and nearly half meter of snow.
ReplyDeleteAh, so you saw that? Yes, it's been an amazing weekend. My latest post has photos and films. It's actually been quite magical; even I can see that, but boy was it cold! The States is really getting hammered, isn't it? I've seen that too!
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