As I sit here in Parsonage Cottage, I can see the trees in Owl Wood rocking and rolling as the full force of the storm hits them. The wind is one thing but, even as I typed that sentence, the rain has arrived. Not normal rain, monsoon-style rain. I cannot even see the trees right now because there is so much coming down. All I can say is thank goodness those trees are not in leaf or there would be tree casualties.
Millie, the little ginger cat, has leapt up onto the back of the sofa and is staring at the window in total bewilderment at the noise and the rain. I am thankful that I managed to squeeze in a very short walk around the garden (so that Toby could 'stretch his legs') before this lot arrived.
The polytunnel has suffered a cut from falling debris, easily remedied with some tape. The gate between the vegetable garden and Owl Wood has blown down, along with the fencing and the old church pew we had along there.
A lovely metal archway has blown down, but I am hopeful that the honeysuckle plant and the beautiful old clematis it supported can be saved. The main bird table pole has snapped and fallen, the birds and squirrels were a bit miffed about that one, but right now they have a bigger problem to deal with, this torrential rain.
That is the damage so far, along with lots of big fallen branches, of course, fuel for next year.
Ooops! spoke too soon. The conservatory roof has developed a leak, or three. Buckets and mops at the ready! Never let it be said that I don't know how to have a good time.
Yesterday evening was also 'interesting'. The log burner suddenly started puffing out smoke and fumes, then all the fire and fume/gas alarms started beeping and talking, adding to the drama and sense of emergency.
A back-draught had been created by the strength and direction of the wind. We were being well and truly kippered.
Windows and doors were flung open, never mind that there was a gale howling around. Ultimately the log burner had to be emptied of logs and hot ash... Fun, fun, fun!
A new cowling must be bought to fix the problem, even though the original one has always coped admirably before. No, the chimney doesn't need sweeping, it was done less than a month ago.
Back to the biscuits, TED's meeting tomorrow, my day to do the refreshments, so I made a batch of Lincoln biscuits from a recipe I found in a 1980 Lincoln Cathedral Cookery Book. The biscuits are mild ginger, shouldn't be too much for anyone to cope with.
I have also baked some tiny cheesy scones, for those who don't have a sweet tooth.
They are packed with flavour and are far too delicious. I will be glad to get them out of the house. They are such a temptation.
I can 'hear' one of my old Domestic Science teachers, Miss M, from the Isle of Lewis, telling me off for using a fluted cutter for a savoury scone. Ah, well! Guilty as charged.
Tuesday was the day for the monthly visit by the mobile library. They were ten minutes late, but as it was a dry day I didn't mind the wait.
I had a pile of pre-ordered books waiting for collection and I pulled a couple more from the shelves.
It seems that the service is changing for this rural route. No longer will a van trundle along to wait in the village for one and all.
Instead, there will be a transit van (the same one they currently use, but with only the driver) which will trundle along to park up by our house gate. It will bring any books which I may have ordered, plus I get to have a quick browse. It will stay for ten minutes, no longer. If I am not at home then the books can be left in a box in the barn.
I have mixed feelings about it. Yes, it will save me from having to lug my books all the way along the road into the village (no footpath, so muddy in the winter, but especially dangerous in the summer when drivers have the sun in their eyes) but it feels like a real diminution of the service, even though it will make things easier for me.
This is a photograph of Toby, Sparky and Millie. I took it a few days ago when they were all on 'high alert' because a lion or, possibly, a tiger had attacked Millie in Owl Wood - which you can see just beyond the summerhouse roof. It was one of those days when we had bright blue skies, lots of sunshine, and a heavy frost.
Stay safe. Enjoy what is left of your weekend.
E
