This is apparently a Snow Moon - the brown ring around it is formed from ice crystals, signifying snow is on the way. I'm glad I went to Llandod for a few extras yesterday (kitten food, milk etc), although I do keep a very good store cupboard on our food front. Apparently it is snowing steadily in Tregaron, which is about 30 miles West of us. I have pulled the wooden shutters across our bedroom window (they are on the inside) as that keeps the worst of the cold at bay. We've had the heating on all day - far too cold not to, as Keith would soon suffer. I feel very sorry for the people who hardly dare have heating on - at least in the past, when I was growing up, we had open fires and could hole up in the one warm room in the house.
Did anyone watch the programme about the winter of '63 the other night (Wednesday). I remember it well, but was still surprised at the depth of snow in some places, and how badly the West Country had it. There was a Great Blizzard in Devon in March 1891 in which 200 people and 6,000 animals died. The snowdrifts were up to 15 feet high then. I think in some places it wasn't that far behind in '63 and for much longer too.
I have been snuggled in the warm today, and finally finished the binding on the quilt, after another complete muck-up of the last corner. Hopefully it will go unnoticed. The general finish looks good.
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Of course, little kittens don't know what cold means yet . . .
Keep warm and safe everyone.
What an awesome picture of the moon. I hope you don't get lots of snow. Are you used to heavy snowfalls in the UK like we are here on the Canadian prairies?
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's normally Scotland which gets the snow (the Highlands and Aberdeenshire). We do get snow in Wales - more likely in Powys than Carms, as higher up. Normally when there is snow, especially in the towns and cities, everything grinds to a halt! Councils are NEVER prepared for snow!!
DeleteI can imagine what it's like for you on the Canadian prairies - what's your average snowfall depth?
Keep warm I hope that you have a wood stove or fireplace to be around.
ReplyDeleteWe priced it and it would have cost us about £5,000 as we'd have had to have a fireplace put in and it's just not worth it. If there's a power cut, it will be hot water bottles from water heated on a camping stove.
DeleteThe stories of the winter of '63 were startling. The reality is hard to imagine.hard to imagine.
ReplyDeleteWe were in Southampton, which is as south as you can get (apart from the Isle of Wight beyond it) so not too bad there. Snow, but not of any depth. It just went on and on and on though. Of course, one open fire in the living room and the rest of the house arctic!
DeleteGolly, that 1891 blizzard must have been devastating - there wouldn't have been insurance for stock losses, nor Social Security for people whose livelihoods were disrupted either. How hard the lives of the ordinary people must have been back then. And without the medical advances of the last 50 years either - antibiotics and the like. Keep warm, especially Keith, it sounds pretty grim over your way.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm sure some farmers lost their livelihoods entirely. Life was certainly so hard for people - not much further on from Dickensian times when the poorest families huddled under a pile of rags in a cellar for warmth.
DeleteJust very cold here. We've had a bit of snow - just a few flakes, but will hole up this weekend that's for sure. Plans to go to the Fleamarket in Carmarthen have been shelved. It's held in an agricultural shed with NO heating and believe me, will be colder inside than out.
The full moon has been absolutely beautiful this week under a mostly clear sky. I had book group in Petworth one evening and it reminded me of the days when social engagements in winter would be planned to coincide with a full moon. Son had a fantastic walk from Lewes where he met up with an old university friend and they walked to Eastbourne where thankfully B&B was available and back again the following day. Clear blue sky and sunshine on both days but so cold which did not deter therm from a quick dip in the sea! I have no memory of the 62-63 freeze but I remember well the big freeze of 2011 when for about six weeks we didn’t go anywhere by car as the roads were so icy, The school was closed for weeks too and the children would trudge up the hill to Polesden Lacey and spend the day sledging. Book shop for me this afternoon where our only heating is a wood burner which creates a great atmosphere. Mind you, yesterday in the bookshop I did not take my cosy Down jacket or hand knitted fair isle tam o’shanter off. Another sparkling day here and the kitchen is already toasty warm, we cannot let our husbands get cold. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to look at - through the window! A bit arctic to go outside for a proper look. I am rarely out after dark these days - the very occasional talk with the local History Society is all.
DeleteGlad your son went for B&B in the end and great he met up with his old friend. S*d the swimming this time of year!
I can remember sledging by moonlight in my 20s - just an old tray inside a dustbin bag, but it was magical and VERY VERY cold!
I've been wearing my down jacket this week - a good buy from a Charity shop (though in Hay, so it wasn't that cheap!)
I ordered some oil today - haven't dipped the tank, but it should be over half full as we have only put the heating on daily in the last week or 10 days. We will need it in due course, and I daren't let it get low.
It looks colder and frostier where are you BB. Must admit we have had heating on here all day due to the cold. I didn't see the tv programme but I do remember the winter of 63 mainly the walk to school - they didn't close them for snow in those days. The cold snap just went on and on. Take care and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we are higher up although whenever we go to Brecon it always feels colder still.
DeleteI can remember walking to school and we had made some brilliant slides on the pavements!
I have also heard it called the Cold Moon. Both work well now! I am well wrapped up, trying to keep thermostat at 19C, but starting to shiver now. I remember being off school for 3 days in '63 as our toilets were frozen. Tin trays on the Deanery Hill it was then.
ReplyDeleteIt was that right enough! Hope you are managing to keep warm. The girls bought Keith an electric blanket throw for his birthday, and you can be snug as a bug with one of those, without having to heat the entire house.
DeleteTin trays rule!