'BUT BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE'

Judging from comments, pictures and news from England it would seen as though there is a little snow on the ground at the moment and temperatures are somewhere in the -degrees C.

The view from our boilerroom window and yes it is double glazed

  
This morning our thermometer read -32c so the UK is positively tropical.
These low temperatures do tend to bring a different attitude to life. For a start getting up now falls into a pattern, first prepare the mind, then out from under the warm duvet and into the dressing gown, next check outside,{only looking out of the window ha ha} we can tell how cold it is now by counting how many chimneys have smoke coming out of them some in the far distance { the most we have seen is 18, that's a sign it's really cold}

Just some of the chimneys we see from our window

then downstairs, fill the kettle and  put it on, then through the dining room and down into the basement to check the boiler,fill it with wood, open the flue and set the water pump to go,back to the kitchen where the kettle has boiled, make coffee and return to bed, This routine I now have off to a fine art and it takes 6 minutes from start to finish.{ Oh and!! somewhere in there is visit to the bathroom and cleaning my teeth} Oh it's so much more fun than setting a timer to come on half an hour before you wake up.
This last Tuesday  we had notice that there was a parcel to be collected from the Post Office, The weather was beautiful a positively balmy -20c just right for a stroll in the sunshine, so suitably dressed {2 pairs of socks, pants,long johns,trousers, thermal vest, thick warm shirt,and pullover and long scarf all under a windproof,waterproof jacket a beanie hat and to top it off a fur lined hat with ear muffs, My Hands? in a pair of hand made Latvian mittens} looking some what like a Michelin man I set of to collect said parcel.A great walk, a round trip of about 45 minuits  I had a stretch of main road to walk only about 100yds, it seemed that three cars had chosen the same time as I had to travel this particular piece of road and as they passed me they were followed by a great cloud of powdery snow. By the time I reached the Post Office the cold was just beginning to penetrate my nether regions, so it was just as well I could warm myself in the post office before my return home. Of course I couldn't just slip in collect the parcel not a chance, and as I entered I was viewed with some amusement by those already there, one elderly lady made a comment about my trousers being perhaps a  little lightweight, so pulling a trouser leg up just a little I flashed  my long johns she laughed and I got her ok as to wearing the right clothes for the weather. With my parcel safely in a bag my return home was much easier as the wind was at my back
Starting the car also takes some time when the diesel starts to get thicker, as the temperature drops the oil in the sump becomes more like treacle,  the battery just doesn't like the cold. So now the battery lives in the boiler room {the warmest room in the house} while 45minuites before we plan to go out a small fan heater is placed under the bonnet set at maximum to warm the fuel pump and fuel lines, then the battery reinstalled some quickstart sprayed into the engine, a quick prayer and hopefully success.

The lady's have a go.

The best part of the week must be the pensioners club, which met this week at the Stelpe Kitchen { Friends on face book will  have seen the results of this now famous kitchen} the reason of the visit was to have a workshop on English style pastry, please note the modern terminology for what was just a great get together to chat, laugh, drink tea and coffee and enjoy each others company. One lady introduced us to a new cake which she had made for the last meeting. Valerie demonstrated making pastry and introduced everyone to Quiche.It seems pie's and pastry dishes are not done here, so they were very interested in how everything went together, pastry here is quite different, and when our marble rolling pin appeared everyone was facinated by it and it had to be passed round.There was then an oppertunity for anyone who wished to have a go, the results were then put together with food that had been brought and we then shared a meal together.

.We're always more comfortable round a table

Suggesting that we all move into the sittingroom where we would be more comfortable Valerie was firmly told no we are fine here round the diningroom table, and that is where we stayed, drinking more tea and coffee, as for the quiche's, they were eaten before Valerie and I got a chance to try them.
As they were leaving one lady asked,how is your Latvian going? so then there was a discussion in the hallway, and I think they were suitably impressed with the amount of phrases we now know, our pronunciation made them chuckle, but little by little we move forward, and hey! Rome wasn't built in a day was it?
Each time we meet with these lovely folk we feel more and more a part of the community,  it was such a joy this week to see them come and feel at home, altho with thirteen in the kitchen it did at times seem just a tad crowded. Our next meeting is on the 7th of March can't wait!!!! Next time we are back in the village room.


We have had a light dusting of snow over the last two nights, but the temperature this morning is just -11c so it would seem that we are enjoying some of the UKs tropical weather, standing in the sunshine whilst getting logs for the boiler it was really warm and as I said to someone yesterday Spring is just around the corner and the days get longer.
Next week we are looking forwward to a visit from Mark, Shelly, Katie and Olivia  we are keeping our fingers crossed that this weather continues so they can enjoy the winter climate.