Sue and I have been away on a cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira since early January ... and whilst we've been away the temperature in the UK has seemingly plummeted!
When we got back to Southampton this morning, I had to scrape a thick layer of ice off our car's windows and lights before I could drive home, and I had to have the heater set on full for the first fifteen minutes to ensure that our breath didn't fog the inside of the windows as we drove along.
The air temperature had risen from 1°C at 9.00am in Southampton to 3°C at midday in our part of London ... but it has now dropped again, and the frost is already forming on our car.
We had left our central heating on its minimum setting whilst we were away, but even so our house was very cold when we got home, and the heating has been turned up to its highest setting since midday. Some six hours on, and the house is finally beginning to feel reasonably comfortable, but as I suspect that as this is the beginning of a cold spell, it is doubtful that it will be turned down much over the next few days.
By the way, it was a very enjoyable cruise, and I shall be writing a detailed blog about what we did and saw at some time over the next few days.
When we got back to Southampton this morning, I had to scrape a thick layer of ice off our car's windows and lights before I could drive home, and I had to have the heater set on full for the first fifteen minutes to ensure that our breath didn't fog the inside of the windows as we drove along.
The air temperature had risen from 1°C at 9.00am in Southampton to 3°C at midday in our part of London ... but it has now dropped again, and the frost is already forming on our car.
We had left our central heating on its minimum setting whilst we were away, but even so our house was very cold when we got home, and the heating has been turned up to its highest setting since midday. Some six hours on, and the house is finally beginning to feel reasonably comfortable, but as I suspect that as this is the beginning of a cold spell, it is doubtful that it will be turned down much over the next few days.
By the way, it was a very enjoyable cruise, and I shall be writing a detailed blog about what we did and saw at some time over the next few days.
I've just made a snowman on my back patio and another near the front path.
ReplyDeleteWho said it was cold?
First time in a couple of years we've had enough snow to do this.
Jim Duncan,
ReplyDeleteThe change in temperature since we left the UK on 2nd January ... and since we left Madeira only five days go ... has been more than a little dramatic. I understand that we might be getting a small amount of snow or sleet later tonight, but nowhere near enough to emulate your snowman building efforts.
Keep warm!
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back old chap! The weather has been a tad chilly but nothing that several layers of thick sweaters and copious hot toddies cannot put right!
I will look forward to reading about the cruise. - once you have thawed out that is!
All the best,
DC
David Crook,
ReplyDeleteIt was great to be away ... but nice to get home despite the cold.
I have drafted out the text of my cruise blog, but need to spend a bit of time checking it before I upload it.
All the best,
Bob
Stu Rat,
ReplyDeleteThat is much colder than we ever get in our part of the UK ... and I bet that you have all the right stuff to deal with it. Here, if we get two inches of snow, the place grids to a halt!
All the best,
Bob
The heating has packed up in my study. It's a bracing 11 degrees in here!
ReplyDeleteLegatus Hedlius,
ReplyDeleteOuch! I hope that you can get it fixed soon. (I am assuming that you mean 11F not 11C)
All the best,
Bob
As we say in Dublin - it's f*ckin' Baltic.
ReplyDeleteConrad Kinch,
ReplyDeleteI woke up this morning to see that we had had the light dusting on snow 'promised' by the weather forecast ... but as I type, it has already begun to melt.
My first thought when I saw it? 'This would be ideal for Little Cold Wars: Eastern Front!' My second thought was 'That was a d*mn stupid first thought!'
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI think the dreaded autocorrect has substituted "always" for "away" in your title...
Wouldn't a little wars game in the snow just end in wet knees & possible frostbite?
Thus crossing from game to simulation......throw in some mud and it would be ideal!
Neil
Neil Patterson,
ReplyDeleteThanks for spotting the error ... which has now been corrected. (Its my own fault; I should not try to write blog entries using my iPad using my banana-like fingers!)
Wet knees and frostbite ... and possible even some mud; what hazards are these to the hardened garden/lawn wargamer? Ones to be avoided at all costs, hence my second thought!
All the best,
Bob
Sorry Bob, we must have left the East Coast ajar letting some cold air out. Yesterday our forecast rain turned into 2 feet of snow, not quite enough for full scale trenches.
ReplyDeleteBeen a bit chilly here Bob
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
ReplyDeleteVery unfortunate for us that someone left the door open ... but we are learning to cope!
Only two feet of snow? A mild day for the time of year by Nova Scotian standards from what I gather.
All the best,
Bob
Johntheone,
ReplyDeleteWe had a Yellow Snow alert from the Met Office last night ... and I was always told that yellow snow should be avoided!
All the best,
Bob
I rather like the idea of a WWII garden wargame (or for Napoleonic fans - a retreat from Moscow scenario) in the snow. For added realism the Soviet player(s) would be allowed a full range of winter clothing while the German player(s) would be limited to a thin pullover1
ReplyDeleteDavid Bradley,
ReplyDeleteThe idea does have a certain appeal, and I think that your suggestion that the Axis players should be less well-dressed for the cold weather than the Soviet players would mean that there would be fewer problems than usual in finding players for the latter side!
I have just finished reading the excellent Osprey book about THE WINTER WAR, and I would thoroughly recommend it. In fact I was so impressed that I have already ordered the second volume that deals with THE CONTINUATION WAR.
All the best,
Bob
Thank you for your recommendation re THE WINTER WAR. Like you I have already ordered the CONTINUTION WAR.
ReplyDeleteDavid Bradley,
ReplyDeleteGlad to have been of help.
All the best,
Bob