Cold enough to kill a snipe

This was the expression used by an elderly friend on the telephone this morning. She has said it before and I think it must be a local Devonshire saying. I digress. In more familiar vernacular it's bloody freezing here.

Devon has been gripped in a series of icy winds with clear skies and brilliant sunshine for days now. Saturday's walk neccesitated several layers of clothing, a hat, scarf and gloves. My face still froze. A quick trip across the road to my neighbour's house needs a huge woolly and thick gloves. Even sitting typing this, my hands are frozen and blue. The rest of me is warm enough indoors though.

I am battling with Raynauds and I think the plaquenil is making it worse. I looked on Metcheck and these temperatures seem set to continue until at least the week after Easter. I have so many outdoor jobs waiting for me not least sorting out my garage after the decorating marathon. So what's a girl to do?

Well for a start I am making a Lamb Tagine tonight with some new Ras el Hanout spice I bought. That will surely warm me from the inside if nothing else. I might just get my handwarmers out too and sit with those in front of the radiator and just wait for all this weather to go away.