EUREKA !

It looks as if at last the work can begin to reline the chimneys, well I say reline, actually whoever installed the stove dispensed with the need for this rather important bit of kit and as a result the stoves can be difficult to control and inclined to smoke, especially in windy weather.

While we are on the subject and at the risk of becoming a weather bore I must tell you that the wind is still howling around the house like a demented banshee and keeping us awake at night.

This mornings weather forecast brought cold comfort...quite literally...as it seems that the wind has changed direction and we shall shortly have our buns frozen off by icy blasts from the the North, snow is also forecast. Thank the gods I ordered more logs last week.

Back to the stoves, my only fear is that the extreme weather will prevent the work from going ahead, after all one cannot expect builders to totter about on the roof or on scaffolding while a force 8 is blowing, it's just not reasonable! The way things are progressing it will be during a heatwave on August Bank Holiday before the stoves are working properly! Oh well at least something other than our dustbin lid is moving at last!

Progress is also being made in the long running war between our two female cats. I do not claim that they have suddenly become fond of each other but they do appear to have declared armistice, and not before time. For two long years we have endured their squabbles which have ranged from swearing and spitting at each other to full scale warfare and bloodshed.

We believe that the advent of a certain handsome Tom cat has brought about this miracle... long may it last.

I made a family sized steak and onion pie for dinner and served it up with chips, lord how the boys did tuck in, it's good to see Pa enjoying his meals again. I have left them clearing the kitchen while I prepare the house for another wild night by replenishing the oil lamps and placing candles strategically about the house. I love candle light but lately I feel as if I am living in the dark ages, low light levels during the day and power outs at night are making me feel like a troglodyte.

During last night the lights flickered so much that I was obliged to turn them off to prevent the bulbs from blowing as they did a couple of nights ago.

In spite of the cold and the dark signs of the coming Spring are becoming more noticeable as each day passes, even the birds have been canoodleing in the branches of the trees when ever there has been a short lull in the storms, and I must say I admire their optimism; for the rest of the time the poor little things have been at some pains to hang on to the branches in the teeth of the fearsome wind:

I pity our friends in the Shetlands who are having an even worse time of it than we are, nightly battering s by hurricane force storms are causing much difficulty and every day we hear of foundering ships , damage to property and disruption to travel. It's enough to drive one to drink, speaking of which it's well past time I poured myself a large Island Malt so it's TTFN from me for the present.