OH NO

18.40 Hours. Guess what?
It`s snowing again in Chirnside.
I think I`ll go to bed....Wake me up in the spring

David
Thistledew.

DEEP AND CRISP AND NOT VERY EVEN

More snow during last night here in Chirnside.
We are almost 400 ft above sea level, so do tend to get weather in this locality, when other areas may well escape.
But Hey! we appear to have been given the day off again tomorrow (click on this link) http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/
This morning Meg (my manic Border Collie), and I ploughed through the white stuff on a hunting and foraging trip to the local shop.
At least half the village joined in.
I have never seen so many familiar faces in the same place at the same time. We all had the same idea.
The council team were out in the village centre at Cross Hills which is also the highest point. They were using a JCB to lift the snow on to the back of a huge tipper lorry. A group of us pondered what they wanted the snow for and concluded that surrounding districts were complaining that they did not have enough snow so we were to send them some of ours.
Not so.
The lorry evidently was taking the snow to a local field to dispose of it, but it was a strange sight nonetheless.
Our procession, growing by the minute, wended its way to the Co-op to find that they had not had deliveries of bread or milk for almost a week. The main road looked as it must have done 100 years ago, no vehicles and everybody on foot. It was notable that everybody including the local yoofs had time to stop and chat.
Meghan loved it
Perhaps we need more snow throughout the UK to help us resurect old values.
All in all despite the lack of supplies and the struggle along the road from our house, it was a very pleasant experience. And our council says have a day off tomorrow.
Life`s not all bad is it?

Keep warm
Keep safe
David
Thistledew.

MY WORLD IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS and WELCOME TO IT. (At the moment you really are welcome to it)

I opened the curtains this morning to a beautiful day in Alaska. Or so it seemed.
Evidently last nights snow was excessive even by Scottish standards. I don`t think that I would be exaggerating to say that 3 feet of snow fell during the night.
The next couple of hours or so were spent digging my way around the bungalow and my neighbours bungalow. Jock, my amazingly independent next door neighbour was as usual, reluctant to accept help, even though he is 86 years old. He said that he has not died yet during the winter. Fair enough I say.

It has snowed at least 3 times since this picture was taken and as I write, it is now snowing again. No vehicles have moved on our road all day, and the Police issued a warning that all roads in the Borders area were closed.

Meghan, my Border Collie thinks that the snow is good fun, so good in fact that she brings great dollops of the stuff indoors with her, much to the chagrin of my better half.

Our flock of starlings sparrows, blackbirds and wrens are queuing up at the bird table for food all day. I have fed them twice already today, and they still want more.

Our local Co-op has apparently run out of all the basic essentials, and is unable to receive more supplies due to the state of the roads. (all roads to our village are uphill and lorries could not gain traction even if the surrounding roads were clear) but we are all pretty much stocked up with the basic necessities so hopefully we wont starve.

I wonder how my new bees are doing at the moment. It is impossible to visit them until the snow goes. The biggest problem is that the entrance to the hives may be blocked with drifting snow, and the ventilation may be affected. this can lead to dampness which is a serious problem within the hive. The bees can normally deal with this but the amount of snow and the speed with which it is settling could possibly overwhelm them. Lets hope not. As these bees are deep within a wood, my fears are probably groundless. It is strange that even in the depths of winter my thoughts constantly stray to my bees, and particularly to the ones that were stolen.
The police phoned again yesterday to say that they still have no information as to their whereabouts but they are keeping the case open. I just hope that the low life who took them know how to manage them during the winter months.

Our forecast is for more snow tonight so the cycle of hibernate overnight and dig out tomorrow will continue.

I wish you all peace and cosiness, keep warm.