Thursday, January 17, 2013
Not according to plan.
Today was not as we planned it.
The first change of plan was at quarter past six this morning - still dark and almost minus 6 degrees.
The sky was clear and sunshine would be coming.....but I didn't have the heart to push Bill out of bed for a trip to Ford.
Maybe Saturday.....but then again, maybe not.
Other plans were made for today.
A bit of a walk, some shopping at East Grinstead Aldi and then a cup of tea and a little something in a tea shop.
Most of that had to be changed.
We did have a bit of a walk, though - good wanted to work with the new camera.
We stopped first where there is a hide by Weir Wood reservoir. Lots of smaller birds on the feeders - didn't see any water fowl.
The pheasant strutted around under the bird feeders, pecking up dropped bits of nut and seed.
Still frozen down on the ground.
Then we drove up the hill to look down on the valley.
It was from this point that plans had been made for a definite circular walk.
By this time that plan had been abandoned.
Another time.
We took the first part of the planned footpath and enjoyed the views.
Bill was lining up a view of his own.
Ice covered the puddles.
We were up by the rocks,
The rocky ridge is used by climbers - quite high.
When we clambered on the top I felt a little nervous.
Take care - no falling!
You can see climbing paraphanalia on the top of the rock.
I was just lining this shot up, when I heard a dull thud.
Oh no.....my worst fears!
Yes, Bill had fallen - fortunately not over the edge.
He was sitting on the muddy ground. How come it was so muddy just there? Must have caught the sun.
He couldn't get up!
The more he tried to get a footing, his shoes slipped away deeper into the mud.
I had to help him up....wet and muddy; muddy through to his skin in places!
And his shoulder hurt.
Well, we couldn't go shopping and visit a tea shop with him covered in mud.
We wandered back to the car.
His camera was covered in mud. The car seat became covered in mud.
Time to go home.
I cobbled together a small meal - actually very good smoked cod fish cakes, which had been greatly reduced in Marks and Spencers.
Later we popped out to buy a few of the bits that we might have bought in East Grinstead.
Bill's shoulder still hurts.
And it is still cold.
We will have snow tomorrow.......but enough to warrant the apparent panic? I don't think so.
Trains have been cancelled for tomorrow.....just in case.
People are clearing shelves in supermarkets for the siege.
People seem to be fearful - well, some of them. Actually most of my contacts are just looking forward to it - let's have a bit of fun!
The Met Office site tells me that we will have snow - heavy snow for a few hours in the middle of the day tomorrow. And of course it will settle, for it is pretty cold. In some parts of the country I am sure the snow will cause more problems than here.
But many of the older people I know have been chatting about the winter of 1962/3. The snow began on Boxing day and was with us into March. Was there panic? As far as I remember life continued much as normal. People were there to help each other.....Bill was out with the Boxall and Collins breakdown truck to tow people on Handcross Hill and Pease Pottage Hill.
Good luck Britain - its us against the snow!
The first change of plan was at quarter past six this morning - still dark and almost minus 6 degrees.
The sky was clear and sunshine would be coming.....but I didn't have the heart to push Bill out of bed for a trip to Ford.
Maybe Saturday.....but then again, maybe not.
Other plans were made for today.
A bit of a walk, some shopping at East Grinstead Aldi and then a cup of tea and a little something in a tea shop.
Most of that had to be changed.
We did have a bit of a walk, though - good wanted to work with the new camera.
We stopped first where there is a hide by Weir Wood reservoir. Lots of smaller birds on the feeders - didn't see any water fowl.
The pheasant strutted around under the bird feeders, pecking up dropped bits of nut and seed.
Still frozen down on the ground.
Then we drove up the hill to look down on the valley.
It was from this point that plans had been made for a definite circular walk.
By this time that plan had been abandoned.
Another time.
Bill was lining up a view of his own.
We were up by the rocks,
The rocky ridge is used by climbers - quite high.
When we clambered on the top I felt a little nervous.
Take care - no falling!
You can see climbing paraphanalia on the top of the rock.
I was just lining this shot up, when I heard a dull thud.
Oh no.....my worst fears!
Yes, Bill had fallen - fortunately not over the edge.
He was sitting on the muddy ground. How come it was so muddy just there? Must have caught the sun.
He couldn't get up!
The more he tried to get a footing, his shoes slipped away deeper into the mud.
I had to help him up....wet and muddy; muddy through to his skin in places!
And his shoulder hurt.
Well, we couldn't go shopping and visit a tea shop with him covered in mud.
We wandered back to the car.
His camera was covered in mud. The car seat became covered in mud.
Time to go home.
I cobbled together a small meal - actually very good smoked cod fish cakes, which had been greatly reduced in Marks and Spencers.
Later we popped out to buy a few of the bits that we might have bought in East Grinstead.
Bill's shoulder still hurts.
And it is still cold.
We will have snow tomorrow.......but enough to warrant the apparent panic? I don't think so.
Trains have been cancelled for tomorrow.....just in case.
People are clearing shelves in supermarkets for the siege.
People seem to be fearful - well, some of them. Actually most of my contacts are just looking forward to it - let's have a bit of fun!
The Met Office site tells me that we will have snow - heavy snow for a few hours in the middle of the day tomorrow. And of course it will settle, for it is pretty cold. In some parts of the country I am sure the snow will cause more problems than here.
But many of the older people I know have been chatting about the winter of 1962/3. The snow began on Boxing day and was with us into March. Was there panic? As far as I remember life continued much as normal. People were there to help each other.....Bill was out with the Boxall and Collins breakdown truck to tow people on Handcross Hill and Pease Pottage Hill.
Good luck Britain - its us against the snow!
