Big snow

Yesterday, just after lunch it suddenly went really cold and got darker too. The forecast had been for bright sunshine all day. I looked out the window a while later and it was snowing though very gently and with very wispy flakes. It gathered momentum but still didn't look capable of settling. I needed to go to see Ernie and Bobbi though so got my stuff together and headed out. As I opened the front door this is what faced me. HUGE flakes of snow. I walked a few paces down the road then headed back for my camera in an attempt to capture the size of the snowflakes. it wasn't easy, nor entirely successful and I was terrified I'd kill my camera as the snow was getting increasingly heavy.

I stopped round the corner to take these-it was so incredible-not just due to the size of the flakes but the silence and beauty was breathtaking. It was truly magical. I'm not sure if you can see the size properly but I've tried. A girl from further up my road stopped as I took the pictures and commented on the silence of it all. I said it was like Narnia and she agreed. Snow normally creates a quieter world but this was more than that. It was absolutely silent, as though all the senses were mixed up somehow. Our vision was filled with these enormous flakes which were mostly vertically heading towards the ground-the swirling seen in the photos is of the flakes twisting or dancing perhaps in mid air-it wasn't a blizzard-the snow was falling straight to the floor which rapidly covered.

I fed Ernie and Bobbi, changed bedding's etc and then searched for Ernie as I couldn't find him and I worry. Eventually I did find him and he was all upset as he doesn't like the snow. I headed back to the greenhouse and he happily followed at top speed. I wiped the snow off him so he was all dry and then left them to it as the snow was getting deeper by the moment.



I popped into Lens (my neighbour who is the official carer for Ernie and Bobbi) on the way home. I was staring to get worried about the feasibility of a vets visit-Bobbi needed to be re-checked after her initial abscess treatment and no doubt another antibiotic injection would be necessary. Len said we'd be fine (although I have to do all the carrying, talking etc so it's not as though in truth Len participates hugely in this!). I was worried about slipping as the ground was covered both pavements and roads.

We agreed a time to meet and between then and 4.00pm when we were to set off it snowed constantly and heavily. It had become a blizzard now and hard to see. My neighbour who will drive us to the vets if required is also old (mid 70's) and I didn't think the conditions suitable for him to drive in. Consequently that meant I had to carry Bobbi all the way-both ways. Much of the way we had snow in our face which was horrendous. Bobbi was in her carrier on bedding that had been on the radiator, with a heat pad and with the carrier covered with a blanket with paw prints on (I deemed this appropriate!). When we got to the vets I had to take my scarf, coat, hat and gloves off as otherwise when I held her she'd have got wet from me! Bobbie needless to say was very warm and dry throughout!

I was terrified walking in the snow as it was very slippery. Len insisted we walk in the road (it's safer apparently despite the cars!). he kept going when cars slid towards us whilst I (always the coward) hid behind parked cars and prayed they'd skid back the other way and not hit us. The land at Len's is horrendously bumpy, it's a true miracle I didn't fall and today my arms hurt me so much from holding little (but weighs a tonne) Bobbie all that time!!

Anyway, Bobbi did well at the vets, just needing one more antibiotic injection, and the free packet of treats seemed the least she deserved after her ordeal. She actually also seemed to enjoy the journeys to and from the vets-glad someone did and upon arriving back home she gobbled up two plates of food in record time. Stress=comfort eating may exist even in puss cats!

I wanted to take more photos of how deep the snow got but I didn't dare take my camera back out again and then unhappily (though typically) I forgot before it got dark. We had quite a bit though, the umpteenth time in the space of a couple of weeks.

Oh well, best get some lunch. I'm waiting for a British Gas person/plumber to take a look at my taps which are being iffy in the bathroom. Both hot and cold in the sink died then cold was somehow resurrected (am i being blasphemou saying this, or can resurrection be used other than in the Jesus sense? Apologies if I am-I am a Christian and would hate to be rude). Now just the cold works (albeit remaining a bit of a diva) and so my Mum insisted that I call British Gas to get someone to look at them under the maintenance agreement she has with them(Mum owns my house). There's a couple of major snags. Firstly British gas 'don't do taps' so this is 99.9% likely to be an utter waste of time. Secondly they are supposed to come between 12pm and 6pm (no you can't have a life and need to go out shopping, feed stray cats etc) and thirdly my neighbour just told me that at 11.00am a British Gas man knocked on my door. I was no doubt hoovering up rabbit poo and desperately opening windows as Basil decided to use his tray not long before the person was due!



My poor bunnies are now shut in my bedroom so they can't poo over the landing before the person comes (many people seem inexplicably to object to treading in rabbit poo whilst in a house though they do love the bunnies that commit such a heinous act) and also they won't get trodden on which is a hideous occurance threatened all too often by those unaccustomed to rabbits in a house. Happily no one has actually trodden on any bunnies (though I suspect my dad may once have come terrifyingly close-best not think about that too much or I may disown him for good!). What tends to happen is people stop suddenly, there's this huge silence as Humphrey or Jacob come into view looking, well like the rabbits they are; people stare a bit then say 'is that a rabbit?'. 'Um, yes, the big ears are a big clue' I say. Then they stare some more and say 'In the house?'. We're usually in the dining room-you know walls, ceiling, carpet on the floor, windows etc with one or two furry creatures with big ears hopping towards us. I never know how to answer this really and therefore end up saying something totaslly ridiculous like 'Yes, they're houserabbits'!!




So the bunnies are under bedroom arrest for everyone's safety and sanity, Basil is in with them as he knows something is going on and he's terrified of strangers. I meanwhile am thirsty but dare not drink too much in case the BG person can mend the taps but it takes ages and the loo is in the bathroom! I can't feed the birds again in case I miss the door. I can't craft in case the man bangs the front door really hard and I slip with my scissors and cut off a bunny's ears or the stem of a flower!

I am a worrier if you hadn't realise by now and now I'm worrying in case the BG man came at 11.00am as he thinks he was due in the morning NOT the afternoon and thus won't come now. I didn't say morning as it's between 8.00 (what!!!) and 12.00pm and 8.00am is not a target (bearing in mind the great hoovering and logistical rabbit nightmare that was necessary) I could meet. I think I'll phone them. I hate this and he's got to come now-I've hoovered for goodness sakes and cleaned the bathroom!! We look like a show home! (Well OK we don't-we still have rabbits pooing on my bedroom floor which isn't usual in show homes and neither are cat litter trays and hairy, moulting cats everywhere. may not be a show home but it's our home. Let's make that call.

Now that's a surprise!

This is the best example of snow I can find today! It's been a glorious day-very sunny and bright, totally unexpected but most welcome!

Yesterday we still had plenty of snow both on the ground and falling-it snowed virtually constantly all day. I watched the news and weather, as we all did, with a sense of fear, more snow was forecast, very heavy in places and today (Tuesday) was supposed to be even worse than yesterday due to the added ice element which would be treacherous according to numerous weather forecasts.

In reality, it started to rain yesterday evening and didn't stop before I went to bed at least and I was up late watching Newsnight and then more doom laden news and weather!

I opened my bedroom curtain for a sneak peak this morning not knowing what I would find had happened. To my amazement and relief I saw no sign of snow, no rain either, just a bit wet on the road and pavements really as would be expected.

I went over the road to medicate the neighbours cat and felt my usual sun affected cheerful self! I really do feel lively and hopeful when it's sunny-it's so hard when my body so stubbornly resists all encouragement and finally begging from my mind to get moving! I'm very M.E'y as I call it-my M'E' has been awful for a while now-acute for much of it which is very tedious indeed. I long to make cards, scrapbook, all sorts of projects but struggle to even have a wash. It's at the awful stage where a shower is too much so my poor hair is not looking it's best-thank goodness I have no one to impress. My pain is always worst at these times too, my sleep disturbed with awful and very vivid nightmares and sleep sweats are a real problem too. Gosh, I sound very attractive don't I? More like Loretta Slob from the Harry Enfield show!

Joking aside, it's really hard living like this and it's hard to keep my head calm and not plummet itself. The sun shining does help my head but increases my extreme frustration when my body says no ala the computer in Little Britain:

Me:'Shall we try and hoover a room'
Body: 'No'
Me: How about having a shower?'
Body: 'You'll never make it and feel like death afterwards'
Me: 'What about sweeping up the bird seed-we'll get rats otherwise'
Body: 'Is that a serious question?'
Me: 'A card needn't take up too much energy..'
Body: 'No, No, No, No, No!'
Me: 'I have to go and feed Ernie and Bobbi though'
Body: 'Snorts'.

This is my life and even with the sun shining it's hard to stay calm. It gets me down, I look at other blogs and they're full of amazing things and mine is useless and empty. I look at all my craft stuff and I'm too tired to even find the materials to make a project let alone make one. I'll regret spending so long writing this, even with goodness knows how many breaks to rest!

Never mind, I didn't want to post all moany and melancholy. Let's get back to the planned post shall we?




This is Ernie this morning having a wash outside his igloo-one of his many beds. By his I mean that is what Ernie would call all the beds he and Bobbi have avaiable to them. I would say 'the' beds rather than 'his' beds but let's not split hairs
!
It occurred to me that I speak of Ernie and Bobbie but haven't shown the beds I've sorted out for them to get them through the Winter.This igloo was on ebay and is actually for a dog-a spaniel size I think. It's fantastic, so sort of futuristic and everyone who's seen it has been very impressed. It came with a clear plastic door that a dog could push easily to get in and out. I felt this wouldn't work with Ernie and Bobbi so I removed it and hunted on the internet for ideas. I managed to find the answer on a Canadian Site ( I think-should check actually and provide link)who have all sorts of advice regarding keeping animals warm outside. The answer was to get a couple of rolls of bubble wrap which holds the heat in well. I attached it to the door with double sided tape and cut it nearly all the way through to form the strands you can see. I gradually added it bit by bit, not covering the whole door to begin with and moving into covering the door and adding a few layers.




Inside the igloo is a fairly large area and I feared it wouldn't be cosy enough for a single cat-Ernie and Bobbi aren't great friends so they'd never share. I have used every old blanket, jumper etc I can find plus some bought gorgeous soft fleeces which hold the heat really well. I cut up a couple of old duvets and seemed them to make little beds that will fit into a pillow case and use them aplenty. With Bobbi's small cosy bed I cut the duvet smaller and cut up a fleece to make bespoke cases which she loves!

Just inside the igloo I have a bolster cushion I cut in half and that is right against the side to narrow the entrance. I also have a couple of towels (to dry wet feet) just inside the entrance and then have built up the bedding so the cats need to climb into their bed as it were. The bedding inside then drops down so with the entrance higher than the sleeping area any cold air that does sneak past the bubble wrap door will go over their head. It's very popular so it must be good!I will take some photos of the other beds soon so you can see what's else on offer!




This is Bobbi in her high bed right by the window and a fantastic suntrap. It was really warm in the greenhouse today, as always when it's sunny. Bobbi loved it up in this bed-she has a warm 'Bobbi bed' but Bobbi does love being outside so when it's a bit chilly to be out or too wet for puss cat feet, Bobbi will happily snuggle in this bed for hours catching the suns rays and warming her bones.

A tale of dedication and love (or possibly insanity)

Blimey!

What weather forecasters are calling the coldest winter in 13 years certainly is very COLD isn't it!

Today, mindful of the fact that snow was due later, I went to my neighbours at midday as planned so i could medicate his cat and hoped to get down to Ernie and Bobbi soon afterwards as I really wanted to get some Dandelions and Sow Thistle for Jacob and Humphrey. Once it snows it's obviously very bleak and almost imposibble trying to track down teeny baby dandelions hiding from the elements! I therefore had decided that if i could get a good few goodies for the bunnies today, it would last for a day or so and of course they have plenty of fresh supermarket herbs, veggies and fruit-the dandlions and Sow thistle are merely for variety's sake.

As I left to go round my neighbours I caught the weather forcast on 'Country File' It stated that the snow would arrive at about 2.00pm. Earlier than I had expected but fine-I was well within schedule.

I went to my neighbours, measured out the medicine for Rat the Cat, ensured she ate it all, had a quick chat to my neighbour and left. As I opened his back door, the snow appeared almost as though it had been waiting for me! It was wispy and light, it was still perfectly possible to carry out my dandelion quest and I wasn't unduly worried.

I nipped into my house, told everyone I was off and would be back soon and picked up the bag with food, water, spare bedding etc in for Ernie and Bobbi. Literally a couple of minutes had passed since the wispy snow began, but to my horror as I openened my front door there was now a blizzard! I couldn't believe all this snow had suddenly appeared and the walk to the cats was awful-I couldn't see, snow kept hitting my eyes which really hurt and I wasn't feeling very positive at all anymore.

Arriving at the cats, i quickly fed them and had a speedy kiss and hello and then went outside to begin the dandelion and Sow Thistle search. Already snow was covering the ground and it was hard to see anything let alone teeny dandelions. As I desperately tried to track down the incredibly elusive bunny delights, I realise what an utter madwoman I must look like as I scurried around looking for virtual needles in a haystack in a blizzard! I love my bunnies though and if they want dandelions, then they get dandelions-I wasn't giving up so soon after beginning. I managed to get a few bits of Sow Thistle and dandelions but still needed lots more so set off for another part of the garden to search there. That was when the hail started. It was literally snowing an absolute blizzard AND hailing all at once. The hail was bizarre-if you've ever seen the small round polystyrene balls you get in beanbags that go everywhere, you'll know what this hail looked like. The effect of the hail on the ground was exactly as though a beanbag had spilled everywhere.It was really weird as I honestly couldn't get out of my head the idea that there were balls of polystyrene everywhere. they didn't melt or change shape, but remained as perfect circles littering the ground.

Now, there's love anddedication and there's insanity, so at this point I decided that retreat seemed like the sensible plan! I fled back to the greenhouse, not before looking in the window and seeing Ernie and Bobbi looking all dry and happy staring at me in confusion. Bobbi even gave a big meow at me through the glass!
As I went into the greenhouse I realise that I was now spreading hail everywhere inside as the tiny balls were apparently as light as polystyrene too and kept dropping off my hat and shouldersd and even my gloves. I felt like a one woman weather machine! The door to the greenhouse doesn't close properly and thus enables Bobbi and Ernie to be able to come and go as they please. Bobbi, Ernie and I all stood in awe as the hail poured through the opening and piled up inside. It really was extraordinary to see.

I stayed a while fussing them then noticed the snow had abated so thought it a good time to leave-while I could. As I got to the gate I became aware of something, looked round and it was Ernie. He was meow, meow, meow. I fussed him, dodged numerous attepts to scratch and bite me (as you do with Ernie) and eventually walked a particularly scary walk back to the greenhose with Ernie who was afraid of the wind and the funny noises and kept going for me again and again and again.Note:Jeans and boots do not only offer protection against the elements!

By the time I got home my hands were really hurting (you can't wear gloves when picking dandelions or stroking Ernies)and I still had to go down the garden and refill the bird tables, feeders etc for the birds.It's endless this looking after business!

I've warmed through again now and will NOT be venturing forth again until tomorrow (Oh, well apart from to top up the bird tables again as they get up well before me in the morning and need breakfast!. I'm not the only one less than enthralled with snow. Basil won't entertain the idea at all and Tom is pretty disgusted by the whole idea of it too. As the snow only settled latterly after the wind eased off a bit I don't have any photos of Tom today but this one at top of this post was taken a couple of years ago and says it all really.

More still to come so keep warm everyone and keep safe.