Z consults the weather forecast

Having looked at various forecasts, it seems that the wind here will be stronger, by the morning, than where I’m going.  So I’m still going to wait and see, it’ll depend on what damage has been done rather than what the weather is by the time I’d plan to leave, and whether there are long delays on the roads.  It’s going to be one of the rare occasions when Weeza will drive Phil to work because it will really not be a morning to be on a bike.

The children woke some time around 6, which wasn’t bad at all, taking into account the clocks having been put back, but it was still a bit early for me (though I was awake before them as it happened) and I went and cuddled them in bed for half an hour, assuring them it was far too early to get up.

I took them to the family café-style service in church, because I was playing the clarinet.  Gus gave me such an old-fashioned look while I was playing, it was hard not to laugh, not the best idea when playing a woodwind instrument.  He really didn’t approve.  They both behaved beautifully, ate their bacon sandwich, made a mobile (Zerlina) and coloured (Gus) as well as playing with toy cars and a Noah’s Ark.  When we arrived home, Russell was very pleased to have found my mother-in-law’s apple picker, an extending pole with a gripper and a net on the end, and had managed to pick several large apples that had been too high for me.  He’s been telling people all day about the apples he picked.  I picked a bushel, he picked twelve apples.  I shinned up and down high ladders, standing on the top platform, at least twenty times.  H’m.

While I was cooking lunch, I made quince jelly from the bowl of juice that had been draining overnight from the pulp I’d cooked yesterday.  Only four jars and a bowlful, but the aroma of the quinces is a pleasure in itself.  If I can still get any more when I’m home again, I will make some other preserves, such as cotignac, but that’s a little more trouble as you have to peel and core the fruit, and it’s very hard to cut.  I took a jar to Weeza this evening and she was very pleased.

This afternoon, I roasted a chicken and made a big apple crumble from some of the windfalls.  Zerlina made the crumble topping in fact, she knew just what to do as she has learned at school.  I packed them into the car and we drove over to deliver the children home and have a meal with Phil and Weeza, they having cooked the vegetables.  The weekend has gone really well for them, with no children there they had a clear run to paint their living room.  It was a slog yesterday, doing the preparation and the first coat, but they finished very late last night and thought that today they’d do the second coat on the ceiling and finish the job next weekend.  But, of course, painting onto paint is a much easier job than painting on plastered walls and they have completed it and are really pleased.  Simply painted white, it looks wonderful and will be great when the oak floor is down too, this coming week.  They’d hoped to have that part of the work done by Christmas, never expected the end of October.  It’s going to be a beautiful house.

Another thought has just occurred to me.  If it’s still dodgy on the roads first thing but better later, I could drive straight to Ludlow and call on John on the way home on Thursday.  I think it’ll be best to wait and see.

My Headteacher and his family (grown-up children and their families) are in Cornwall over half term for a holiday.  Not their best choice of venue, really, is it?

7 comments on “Z consults the weather forecast

  1. Mike Horner

    Hello Z. We were supposed to be coming to Norfolk to lunch with friends (Dunton Hall). But we can’t get out of town this morning. There’s a double decker ‘bus on its side in Coram Street, and the other roads out are blocked by fallen trees. So – we’ve ‘phoned the friends, and Dunton Hall to cancel the reservation. Oh Wel………..

    Reply
    1. Z Post author

      I think it’s worse to the south of here, but one needs to know what one’s driving into. I’ll leave later or not at all. Glad you’re staying home if it’s that bad with you.

      Reply
  2. Blue Witch

    Your neighbouring county is full of huge mature trees fallen across roads. Lorries and high vehicles are being blown all over the roads, causing havoc for cars who are struggling to avoid them. The storm has been raging since about 6.30am, and started at 2.45am. Trees have fallen near us. It doesn’t seem to be subsiding.

    Mr BW got to work by zig-zagging back roads. About half the workforce (several hundred people) can’t safely get in, he’s rung and told me (they come from all over the country on a Monday).

    PLEASE leave it until much later today if you MUST go. Stay safe; your journey isn’t essential. It’s nor worth risking your life.

    Reply
    1. Z Post author

      Of course it isn’t, I’m waiting to see how things are later. it’s windy here, not dangerously so, but I’m staying put right now. Thank you.

      Reply
        1. Z Post author

          It was a bit windy here for an hour, calmed down now. I’ve not been out in the car yet, but nothing like what you’ve had.

          Reply

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