I’m back, briefly

Whilst my absence can be partly attributed to broadband difficulties, it is primarily due to more pressing distractions. Most recently the distraction has been – yes you’ve guessed – the weather. When I dared poke my nose outside the door this morning the thermometer registered -7º. Following a day of blazing sunshine the temperature rose to -2º. And the southwest is supposed to be having the best of it! In truth there’s little wind at present and that makes all the difference. However, whilst our climate doesn’t compare with that of Eastern Europe, still less the northern extremities of England, the Mediterranean it ain’t. As a consequence unforeseen problems eat up my day: i.e. defrosting the padlock on the shed in order I can get my hands on some firewood. Sans firewood life becomes extremely uncomfortable. Almost as uncomfortable as when the power line was recently severed, terminating both our electricity and water supply ... Thanks in part to the demanding conditions I walked to town for one or two basics. It is not a jaunt I would recommend, the challenge being less the 8 miles involved than the near 1,000ft climb on the return leg. Bits of me are beginning to fall off.