Heatwaves!

It is actually a fabulous day here. Hot, for sure, but since the hot sun of the early morning, a breeze has sprung up and there is a bit of cloud cover. It is such a dry heat, and really lovely sitting here outside in the shade. I do feel sorry for everyone else, particularly those who have to work, those in modern high rise flats, those in care homes and hospitals. I am relieved not to be worrying about my mother. I know Tom has closed his café for the day. Sam has bought lots of squirty bottles for the staff to use! Children don’t have to be in school…..but then when their parents are working that’s not a great option. Don and Fyfe slept downstairs yesterday. And here I am, relishing the warm air!

The first day of advent, and a 'Happy Birthday' to my dear friend Ann in America!

It is grey, breezy and cold, There is just a smidgeon of snow left on the lea side of a couple of stone walls on the hills facing me as I write. I am in my kitchen, warmed by the aga and the radiators with their low ambient heat provided by the heat pump. I am grateful for the electricity which keeps everything working. More so, because yesterday I had another power cut, from 5.30 in the afternoon until somewhere around midnight. It was a miserably wet night too. Caroline, my neighbour popped in to check I was ok before walking round to the farmer, in his nineties now, to check on him. I had been out all day on duty at church doing the new Tuesday Cafe. By the time Caroline arrived I had my wonderful head torch on, and was actually able to read quite easily. Jen  came up to try to get Giles to fix her rather old looking camping gas stove. I had had hot soup at church and a cuppa in the afternoon, and so wasn't that bothered about having some bread and cheese for my tea. Also, it was choir. There was power in Kendal, so we went rather happily, getting out of our dark, cheerless homes to the buzz of a penultimate rehearsal before the concert. I had been asked to do sectionals.

Our poor conductor was late, lack of power and storm damage to his car had all accumulated. So I started the rehearsal off. It was fun to be 'up there' again. And when Geoff finally arrived we split up and I worked with the ladies. I imagined they would find it a bit dull....Geoff is so entertaining....but they were reassuring and had seemed to have found it really useful. I had prepared pretty thoroughly. 
It was sad to find the power still off by the time we got back, but I had used the heat of the aga as soon as the power went off to boil some water and put it in a thermos, and I had put a big saucepan inside the aga which I used to fill a hot water bottle. So it was a dark, early night, with fingers crossed for better in the morning. 
Sometime near midnight the power came back! What a relief! I feel so very sorry for people who have been off grid for days. It's hard, and time consuming, and never good to be cold.I do worry for us when we don't have other forms of heating and light other than electricity. So many people are relying on camping gas and wood burners up here at present, just to survive.

Well it has been all go in the nicest of possible ways! Loved having my eldest and his family to stay, as the decorators continued their work outside. What a lovely week of sunshine, meaning we had breakfast outside every day but one. We had a wonderful walk up to Gowbarrow. I was so slow up the hill! But it was well worth it for the amazing views of Ullswater, I have to say we were lucky to park. We went round and round the car park at Aira Force! We came home and had a barbecue in the garden. Sam did the cooking. 

On Wednesday after a morning at home, the family went north of Keswick to enjoy some Ghyll Scrambling. They had a great time sliding over rocks and splashing into natural pools! I made them a good meal for the evening which they enjoyed. 

On Thursday the weather began to change. They needed a day with no driving, and they kindly helped me clear some stuff from the roof of the garage. We made a trip to the tip with a trailer and a car load and  the garage looks a little clearer. Meal out in the evening. Lovely few days. 

They are now in Snowdonia, the decorators are finished and I am cleaning, washing sheets,, shopping, cooking ready for Tom and family who are coming on Monday.