Snowed in.

One of the roads out of the village

Yup, that's us. 12 inches of snow over one night has cut off our village.

No post for 3 days, no newspapers and no bread in the village shop. What we do have is a wonderful, almost carnival, atmosphere as everyone abandons their normal existence for a few days and goes walking, sledging and even skiing. The streets are busy with folk out doing stuff. WE had a pub lunch yesterday and then spent the afternoon with friends. On the walk back lots of people said Hi as we all slipped and slithered in the freezing snow.

The Alps in England: look at all the skiers out on the slopes!

Summer, what summer?

We went to a barbecue this afternoon. We sat under a gazebo in a back garden in coats, hats, long trousers and fleeces. Great food, drink and company but Oh, what about the weather?

It rained for 3 hours non stop including some extremely heavy downpours. By 7pm we were all frozen and so the party split. I came home and got straight in the shower and there I stayed for 30 minutes until I was warm again. If we had a bath just now I would have had a bath. I'm now dressed in thermal socks and a very large winter fleece top over my regular clothes.

I am reliably informed that the hottest temperatures of the year usually occur in this first week of August. Well where the flippin' heck are they? Our winter is long enough without it starting already.

The disappointment continues

Well the gig of the year was a wash-out, personally speaking. First off, the motorway was closed so we had a long detour via Wales. This meant that we were an hour late for lunch with the other Outhousers. Nevertheless we had a great time and a great lunch with lovely people. So far so good.

Later we left the hotel in brilliant sunshine, got to the Gig in a bit of cloud, saw the first two groups and by then it started to rain. And rain. And rain. Halfway through Hayseed Dixie we had to leave. By then my muscles were shaking and I could barely move. Our clothes were dripping wet and we could wring out the water.

One hour later we were dried off and sitting in warm clothes in the local Tandoori! Three days later I am still suffering the effects of getting so wet and sitting in pools of water for an hour, cold water and neurological Lyme do NOT mix. We didn't even get to see Status Quo, the headline group at all.

I thought that if I got my op date on Monday that would cheer me up. Last Friday I was told I could have it as soon as possible, by Monday that date was mid October. The surgeon didn't think to tell me he was on holiday for the WHOLE of September.

So I'm still waiting.

To alleviate the boredom I've booked to see the Hayseeds again in Bristol on 23rd September, indoors. This time it had better be good!

Gone away

Just a note to say we are off to Kalamos again tomorrow so I won't be around for a while.

I know I owe people emails but I have had so little time the last couple of weeks I am all behind.

The weather is set to be very hot so we'll be making the most of the sea at the end of the patio.

See you in two and a half weeks.