A Birthday Walk

I never post without including photos. But having spent considerable time earlier this evening choosing and organising photos to post, I've given up. I just can't get them onto this post. Which is a shame as some of them actually show blue skies.




I had a birthday just after Christmas. If the weather was nice we thought we would go for a longer walk than usual. The weather was wet and grey. So no walk.




Again, we planned a longer walk on New Year's Day. But the weather was grey and damp. So once again, just the usual walk with the dogs.




Today is Mike's birthday, and at last there was sunshine. So we took ourselves off with the dogs for a walk through the woods. It stayed dry until the last bit of the walk when it had dulled over and started to spit with rain. But before that we had enjoyed some lovely views overlooking the River Mosel. Just a shame I can't show the walk in pictures.


Still, Mike says he enjoyed his birthday.

A Cold Snap

I took this photo a while back. After having an incredibly mild winter, Mike passed a comment about how we hadn't had a winter. Shortly afterwards we had some frosty mornings. Then about two weeks ago we had a light dusting of snow which has lingered until now in places. And from then on it has just got very cold. There is even ice on the river.

Yesterday afternoon it snowed again. It was bitterly cold when I took the hounds out for their afternoon walk, and there were light flakes of snow. At teatime when I looked out of the window it had snowed properly, not deep, but a proper fall, covering all the surrounding roads. Fortunately, that has thawed in todays sunshine. Last night when I took the hounds out for their walk before bedtime, the moon was full, and even though it was cloudy, it cast a light which together with the snow, made it almost as light as day. I was able to see the surrounding hillsides, right to the top and the other side of the river too. Magical.

Mike flew to the UK yesterday morning, so it's me and the hounds keeping warm together. Mike is keeping his eye on the weather forecast, and told me it is forecast for -20 at the weekend!

Thank you for all your good wishes regarding Rufus. The vet gave him some painkillers, and he seems comfortable. He has a very healthy appetite, his coat is soft and healthy. He doesn't appear to be ill at all. He's usually on the sofa next to me when I'm on the computer. I have to type one handed as he objects when I stop stroking him.

Thank you also for your birthday wishes for my grandson. When I talked to him on the phone, he was most impressed when I told him that people from all round the world wished him a happy birthday.

Mike has the camera with him. So I've been looking to see what photos I can use while he's away. I have one or two already lined up for future posts.

Well it's coming up to afternoon walk time. I need to make sure I get out with the hounds while the sun is still shining. At the moment they are all enjoying an afternoon snooze. Hope you are staying warm where you are.



Flood Water

Just to show how much rain we've had lately, I went out with the camera on Friday just to see if I'd won. (See previous post). Yes I did! The river was indeed higher. The river is coming up through the bridge on the road that leads down to the river.

Then again for more pics on Saturday.

Well, there'll be no walking alongside the river here will there?

You can see how the trees are not only surrounded by water, but it's quite deep as well.

It looks quite pretty though.

This road sign is taped to show that the road is flooded up river.

Last year, the floods were higher. The water came right over the road at the bottom where you can see the cars. Today, the water has subsided from how it was when I took these photos at the weekend.

Saturday was Mike's birthday. There are 3 of us Capricorns in the family.
We had a quiet day,
as you can see.

Anticipating

Spring.

More snow?

Mike returning home.

Yes that will do.

Actually he arrived safe yesterday teatime
after I thought up this post
but before I got round to writing it.

Mmmmm Very Yummy

I love baking.

But we decided I'd lay off baking cakes for a while.

Well we just kept eating them!

And at our age you have to think before you eat,

where will they end up-

round our middle's!

But Mike couldn't take it any more-

being cakeless.

So for the first time ever

he made his own cakes.

His own version of Rocky Road.

Made with crispies and cornflakes.

They also have marshmallows inside.

And they are extremely Yummy

Very moorish.

In fact I've been eating not one but two as I've been writing this.

Best laid plans....

Have a great weekend wherever you are.