AFTERMATH

We survived the storm,much to our surprise, but it's consequences are destined to be felt for some time. To begin with the three of us, in common with many in the village are absolutely shattered and just staying awake today has been quite a challenge. My son ,much to his chagrin , only managed to write one chapter of his latest book today but was so dissatisfied with it that he scrapped it, declaring that it was not up to standard.

Out side the garden resembles a battlefield and is littered with chunks of tree brought down by the gale. On investigating the cause of last nights rumbling on the roof, we discovered to our relief that a large metal bird feeder situated outside my bedroom window had been detached by the wind and had slid down the roof.

I found that getting out of bed this morning required the exercise of much will power. I pottered about the kitchen prepared a Mutton stew for dinner and made some cranberry and coconut cookies, before subsiding into an armchair and submitting to the urgent need of sleep!

Pa, manfully carried on, did two loads of laundry and tidied his room,(Lord knows where he found the energy) and was still quite chipper during the evening in its self a minor miracle.

We ate early,finished up chores and were ready for bed before ten o clock,another miracle!

I was asleep before eleven and until awakened by the cat Twiggy loudly demanding food the provision of which had been forgotten as we all went early to bed. I have made myself a mug of coffee and as Pa is asleep I shall soon be back in bed again.

Outside all is calm ,unfortunately this is only temporary as more gales are forecast during the coming week!

In the morning we are expecting guests to join us for a late breakfast before assisting with the rearrangement of Pa's bedroom furniture, moving the solid pine drawers and a heavy wooden bed require more man power than we can provide alone.

CAME THE DAWN.

I managed to get a little more sleep last night and by the morning I was rested enough to enjoy cooking breakfast for us and our guests. I love entertaining at breakfast time partly because I am fresh and have more energy than in the evening, but mainly because the cosy kitchen atmosphere is so relaxing and informal.

A huge stack of Irish Soda Farls,and great pan of crispy bacon and roasted baby tomatoes soon disappeared accompanied by freshly cooked hot tomato sauce made from an old family recipe and I must say that the table looked splendid spread with these delicious goodies.

Now with the table emptied ,the kitchen cleared and our guests departed we can relax for a few hours before dinner. During the past hour or so the sky has become dark and stormy and the wind has begun to rise again, as was foretold!

If the rest of the forecast is correct the wind will be gale force again by this evening and we shall have another wild night in prospect.

With this in mind I intend to retire to the library, flop in to one of the big leather chairs and, if possible grab forty winks, these days I sleep when I can so as not to have to worry about it when I can't. I'm off to find the cat and a fur throw and thus armed I shall with luck soon be making zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzed's!!