WINTERS CHILL

I knew without having to look that there was a sharp frost this morning,the tip of my nose was icy cold, a sure sign that the temperature in my bedroom was unacceptably low.

Although we have been here for four months we have not been able to master the intricacies of the heating timer,there is,unfortunately no manual and although the boiler is a new one the rest of the system is positively geriatric!

So it was, that shortly before six in the morning,well muffled up in my fleece robe I made my way downstairs to remedy the matter.

It was still dark, the cat Moth was waiting for me in the drawing room,most happy to have company she wound herself around my legs making my progress perilous as I headed for the library and the fire. The “Villager” log burner sported a bed of bright embers and needed very little inducement to leap in to life, I fed the beast with a couple of medium size logs and went to open the curtains and switch on the central heating, while they began to burn.

The thick white frost which carpeted the lawn was visible even in darkness and I could see that the roof of the Rectory was similarly ornamented. Moth sat in the window staring out in to the darkness seemingly as fascinated as I by it's chilly beauty.

It remained very cold throughout the day and neither of our cats (sensible creatures) ventured out, preferring instead to keep company with the fire This feeling seemed to be unanimous as apart from a flying visit to the corner shop no one ventured out in to the cold.

At this time of the year the days are short and well before dark the moon was visible appearing to hang like a large pearl from the bare branches of a silver birch tree,and then, suddenly ,it was dark once more.

Today has been an Avie Day ,my weekly holiday from chores.....theoretically.....in fact I still do quite a lot of chores but I don't really mind,I like to be busy.

One job I did tackle,with scant success was the repair of one of the radiators, of which there are two, in my bedroom. First of all I tried the time honoured method.....I hit it several times with a mallet....no joy! Next Pa tried a more workman like approach and attempted to bleed the radiator with the aid of a pair of pliers......still no joy!

After an hour of fiddling about the radiator was as chilly as ever, it's ancient screws defying all attempts to budge then even half an inch! As I said before the system is pre historic!

I am writing this blog wrapped in a sheepskin blanket! Tomorrow I shall bring out the big guns and deploy a monkey wrench and some WD40, if that doesn't shift it I shall have to call a plumber.

I admit that I am loath to take this course as these days plumbers tend to charge between fifty and seventy pounds just for knocking on your door. Still needs must when the devil drives, as the old saying goes and it will be worth it to have my bedroom warm again.

In the meantime I shall fill my hottie, pull on my bed socks, throw on an extra blanket and go to bed.

Good night all.