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.



Blogtoberfest Day 15, Pink Thoughts

This is why I don't knit very often. I don't usually manage to finish what I've started. So what's new there then?
This is my pink picture for Pink Thoughts day. Pop over to Christina who is hosting Pink Thursday for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I could do with the scarf now though. It is so cold here. Strange to be saying that after living in Sweden I know, but that's how it is.

I've also posted another photo from yesterday.
It's for Mildred who appreciates the view,
and for Sandi who would like more pics of the Hounds.

You can tell from the photo that although the sun is shining,
it must be cold for Mike to be wearing a hat.
Actually, I don't know whether the cold got to him,
but he hasn't been very well today.
So no walks other than the usual ones for the Hounds,
and it has been such a lovely afternoon,
still cold though!

A Quick Update

Well at last!

Hello to everyone.

And thank you all for your thoughts and comments.

Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you.

We travelled approximately 1200 miles,

crossing one of the longest bridges in Europe,

(must just check the details on that again),

and after travelling for 4 days, (we were travelling slowly),

we finally arrived at our destination.

Surprisingly without a hitch!

Once here though we had to wait a long time to get connected to the internet!

We have been very busy unpacking
and cleaning of course.
The house that we are in hasn't been lived in for well over a year at least.
Mike went back to the UK for a week
so that left me and the Pups on our own for a bit.
But that was fine too.
We just set ourselves a new routine while he was gone,
as where we are now is very different to where we came from!

I've already taken quite a few pics
but a lot of them are on the other computer.
So I either will have to get them over to this new computer
that Mike brought back with him.
Or I will have to get out and about taking some more.

Unfortunately, I have had a cold now for 4 days,
again, something that Mike brought back from the UK with him.
I haven't had a cold for a long time.
We never used to get them living in Sweden,
even travelling back and to on aeroplanes we seemed to escape them.
But this one has left me feeling lethargic.
I haven't even been out with Mike and the Pups today
so he has been discovering walks without me!
But fortunately,
my head feels a little less as though it's filled with cotton wool.
So I will have more information,
and more pics
when I next post.
Which I hope will be very soon.
I'm also very keen to see what you've all been up to.
So till then...........

Thrills and Spills

It's been a busy week.
With having friends to stay we have been out and about more than usual.
Yesterday we met up with our Swedish friends to watch a car rally.

It was in a forest in the snow.

Sure to get some spills.

Following the spill, the driver tooted his horn

and people rushed over to help get the car back on the track.

We had a great time.

We took a barbeque

and some cakes and buns of course.

Susan and I got cold feet with standing around.
So Britmarie our Swedish friend broke some branches off a Pine tree for us to stand on.

It was amazing how that helped.

Our feet were much warmer.

Because of the cold, we left the dogs at home,

happily sleeping in the warm.

They still continue to enjoy all the extra attention that our visitors are giving them.

Jewel and Rufus enjoying Richard's attention.

What a tease I've been

This is where I've been:

Stockholm.
Sweden's capital.
It was very cold.


Can you tell?

But the shops made it cheery,

and Christmassy.

We made a special visit to this one as it was a haberdashery. My friend knows I like anything to do with fabric, ribbons and such things. This shop although small was packed full of tapes, ribbons, cord, tassels; on the counter, behind the counter, round the walls, stacked on the floor and hanging from the ceiling.

Some of the biggest tassels I've seen.

I believe they supply the local theatres in the city.

Before we reached the haberdashery we peered into an interesting shop. We just had to call in. It was small but crammed with anything and everything connected with tea. Well it was the Tea Centre! Although I didn't take any photos, a couple can be found here. It was well worth calling in, and my friend made a purchase of some teas, of course.

I'd seen some of these on the internet and would have walked right past this one but my friend spotted it so I had to take a photo, pleased that we'd seen not one but two. I'm not sure of their purpose. To keep the poles warm in the freezing weather? I think it must be something to do with the Swedes whimsical sense of humour. I just wonder whether someone stands there knitting (or crotcheting) them from beginning to end. Or do they make them beforehand and just stitch them round the pole.

I suppose that would be the sensible thing to do?

What we were truly amazed at during our stay in Stockholm, was how friendly everyone was.