From Dry to Wet

We’ve had a bit of a dilemma with our washing machine. Mum decided that we needed a new one. The old one still worked and got the job done but as it got older it also got louder and rattled more as it entered its final spin cycle. Mum decided to wait for the New Year sales but I convinced her that she might be able to find a good deal in the Black Friday sales that weekend. She found one that she liked in the shop but she also went for a browse in our local electrical store and found that they could install it for less and take away the old one, and it would still be cheaper than the one in the shop; even with my discount. But on the week that we were ready to have it installed, it snowed. Although the ice didn’t stop the delivery, there was still a lot of slush about which got trodden into the kitchen floor as they tried to install it. The problem they had was that the copper feeder pipe was slightly corroded; and they didn’t want to touch it and cause further damage. So the new washing machine went into the garage alongside the old one while we waited for a plumber that they recommended to call round.

Watford Gap Filled?

I’ve had something trapped inside my mouth for some time. I think it’s a piece of food lodged between my teeth; possibly some kebab meat. No amount of brushing seems to be able to bring it out. I’ve tried an electric toothbrush on full charge as well as a manual scrub (which is usually when my electric toothbrush runs out of charge and I just use it without power, though I’ve also used the traditional larger brush as well). I’ve tried flossing which I never see the point of. When I floss, I just seem to fray the string as I rub it in between the gaps. If I push it down too far, I always get bleeding gums and I’m always afraid that the floss will get trapped afterwards (and it has happened). There are just three options left; I can carry on as I am and wait until my next visit to the dentist which could be very embarrassing or even traumatic. I could schedule an earlier appointment with the dentist. Or I could get hold of a toothpick or cocktail stick and try to fish it out that way. I’m off to a buffet lunch tomorrow. Wonder if they have any there?

Out of the Washer, into the Dryer

We’ve had an old tumble dryer in the garage for ages. We weren’t sure whether it worked or not and we were worried that it might overheat and set fire to the house. So we never use it. We either hang our clothes up outside to dry or on radiators and airers. So rather than spend money on getting an electrician to see whether it worked and run the risk of selling it on, we just decided to get rid of it to create some space. The trouble was that it takes two people to lift it which Mum would find hard. In the end I managed to convince a friend who was staying over to give me a helping hand to lift it into the boot. Then it was a case of finding somewhere to take it to. We tried the local charity ship with the nearest available parking. We had a browse while waiting for the man to get off the phone and I was amazed at the stuff that they did sell .I thought that they would have a volunteer electrician who would test it and decide whether to sell it or strip the metal for cash, but it turns out that they don’t take white goods anymore because of the Grenfell Tower disaster. So off to the tip we went.

Mother's Folly #Titannabell 2

From her birth, Princess Olivia had been promised to another. She was born a few months before the heir to the throne and both families saw this as a great opportunity to come together and secure the stability of the country as well as their hold on the throne. They spent as much time together as possible so that the two children could grow up together during their childhood. As both children became ready to be schooled; it was suggested that Olivia was boarded inside the castle so that this placement could continue. But while Julian proved to be very industrious in his studies; Olivia established her social skills by sharing her ideas with others. She felt it natural to talk to other people.  Julian was convinced that the answer must be in a book and that he must discover the idea himself to keep his position as top of the class and remain the future king. There were many nights when Olivia sneaked out in candlelight to join dormitory parties while Julian lay in bed reading.

Battle of the Tootsies

It’s socks versus slippers. The ultimate battle. The socks suck up the stench of foot odour. They’re populous in the house and can be seen from many angles. When their ghastly deed complete, they need to (hopefully) disperse into the washing machine to live another day. But when the socks have an opportunity to flee into the washing machine; the slippers sense them coming. It’s their job to prevent this as they’re vastly outnumbered in performing the same task in a garment that keeps feet warmer for longer; and they’ve got better grip too, but their skills at disguising odour is poor. They’re also experts in stealth; especially when you need them and resort to a thicker pair of socks instead where you constantly trip over every new surface. And so, they prepare themselves for battle by lining themselves up on the kitchen tiles, much like pieces on a chessboard.   

What do you think about adults who order a kid's meal?

It’s up to them. If they’re willing to pay for it and sit and eat it without complaint and without overcomplicating the order by demanding free extras; then it’s their choice. They are the customer and that is what they desire, and there shouldn’t be any problem serving them. Naturally, there’s an age recommendation with these kind of meals to give people a guide, and if a child of twelve was in the party, they may consider an adult meal for them instead. Some people have naturally small appetites and it would be quite strange to refuse this service to them. It would be like refusing entry to an old man at the cinema. And child’s meals aren’t always half of everything; in some respects it gives you more mess to clean up afterwards if they misbehave themselves. If an adult wants a tiny burger, so be it. It’s if they start to complain afterwards is when the problems arise; though most people will just vote with their feet and know better for next time.

Slipping Around

Slippers. They’re useful things in the winter. They’re mini-blankets for your feet. But one size too big or too small for you and they’re lethal; especially if you have to wear them up and down the stairs. I bought a beautiful pair for my lovely old mum which looked very comfortable but they were just one size too big. But when I compared them to her current ones, they were massive. I didn’t want to be responsible for her death or a major injury because she slipped down the stairs in her new slippers. So back to the shop I went. Luckily, the right size was still in stock so it was just a simple case of switching them over. But I still had to go up to the clothing department all on my own without any assistance or escort to find them. And of course I got the attention of the security guard as I walked up to and past the entrance to the customer service desk to reclaim my receipt.

The Clerks Exhibit #dreamdiary 74

I haven’t yet seen Mr. Smith’s movie but this exhibition in an American shopping mall somewhat intrigued me to enter. There was a man behind a desk covered in a black tablecloth taking admissions, and once we’d paid we were told to walk through the gold curtain and take a seat to wait for our guide. Our guide wore a grey tracksuit hoodie and never spoke a word. He simply beckoned us with his hands for us to move through to the next room. This featured an annex set in an area of golden bricks. Within the annex was an old, tattered, sack blanket with spats of blood covering a humanoid shape, and a pair of trainers was protruding from the end. Surrounding this were packets of discarded crisps and beer cans. It looked as if we’d been shown to the back of a convenience store. I was half expecting something to jump out from underneath the blanket to interrupt the silence from this eerie scene. Then we were shown through another gold curtain into the first floor of an empty tower with a view of bronze pillars in front of us. Puzzled, we turned to look at our guide for an explanation but he’d vanished. There was the sound of a click as we realised the second door had closed and locked. We’d been had. We’d paid ten dollars to walk through a service corridor of the mall to another section that wasn’t currently in use. When we’d returned to our entry point, the guide had fled.

The Big Read

You may have seen from some of my previous posts that I’ve been writing book reviews. It’s all because of a commitment I made over sixteen years ago to read all the books on the BBC’s big read list. It was a nationwide survey run in partnership with WH Smith to ask the British public to vote for their all-time favourite books and these are the results. I picked up the leaflet in my local store; and since then I’ve added a few staples to keep the pages in place. It’s been difficult at times to get some of the titles from my local library; and I’ve also been enticed by bargain reads that have come my way and gifts and opportunities on charity shops too. As you can imagine; there’s some real bricks in there and it’s taking up a lot of time to get the job done. Bu the end is near. As Mark Twain once said (and he’s even quoted in the leaflet); “Read the best books first”.

The Crumbling Castle Hotel, Lampeter

I’d booked to stay at the Castle Inn to attend an event at the University. I’d never stayed there before but I’d booked my parents in there some time ago and was impressed with their comfortable room and of hearing about their breakfast. When I arrived the free public car park that was advertised on the listing is now a pay and display car park. Not a problem as I thought that the rate of £2.70 I paid for 24 hours was very reasonable and the machine took cards too. Next up: the check-in. The guy behind the bar was friendly enough but it was certainly an ‘outsider enters the saloon’ scenario when he went to fetch my key. As we climbed the stairs to my room, I asked what time breakfast was served and I was told that they don’t serve breakfast. Now breakfast isn’t mentioned on the website and it only mentions a restaurant but I was a bit puzzled as to why; partly because of the recommendation I received and also because of the fact that the green sign on the front of the pub still clearly reads ‘Bed & Breakfast’. Again, not a problem for me as Granny’s Restaurant is a few doors down and there’s also a Gregg’s across the street. But why? I’d have been happy to pay extra for breakfast and I’d been looking forward to it. Next, my single room. You get a view of the high street (which is what you’d expect for the pub’s location) and it’s reasonably quiet. The windows are glazed enough so that you won’t be woken up in the night by boy racers and locals staggering home. But what I did notice was a great big shoeprint in the carpet where a previous occupant must have decided to shine his shoes with extra polish and add a bit of colouring to the room. I was pleased to see tea and coffee and sugar and a little kettle and mug in the room, and there were plenty of towels. But the shower door was also hanging off its hinges so I had to be very careful as I climbed in and out. Finally, the check-out. I wasn’t told the check-out time and procedure and forgot to ask the night before, and only discovered this information out by going to booking.com’s website. As I headed downstairs the bar doors were locked but I did gain access to the restaurant, only to see no-one about. As I approached the horseshoe bar I tried and failed to get the attention of a cleaner who was vacuuming the lounge. In the end I left my key on the bar and headed out, at which point I bumped into the cleaner who clearly couldn’t give a dam who I was or what I was doing here. In short, if you’re looking for a functional room at a good price then look no further. But if you’re looking for a bit of class and service then my personal recommendation is to head for the Black Lion which is a bit pricier but has just undergone a refurbishment of both the pub and its rooms.  

Dinner to Go

No, this isn’t a complaint to someone that they haven’t done their fair share of the washing-up (though usually it’s a raised arm in the direction of me). There’s no magic eye pattern hidden within the chunks of gravy either – well, there’s none intended but if you see any let me know. It’s an appreciation to a relative of mine who held a family function that I couldn’t attend and she very kindly plated a meal up for me to east after working my shift. Hopefully it wasn’t leftovers; though it was a good-sized portion and I had to nuke it anyway which loses some of the freshness and I usually don’t re-heat these freshly cooked meals long enough anyway; I probably need to add another thirty seconds. The old microwave just had a button that read ‘plated meal’ I’ve been doing the same time that the button did. Amazingly, they even saved me a slice of gateau, so it must have been a big one. And I did wash it all up afterwards.

Confidence Crisis

I’m having a confidence crisis. I need to take the initiative more and do my own leading. It seems that I wait around too much for others to create activities for me to follow. I need to have the faith to jump out of the plane more and do more things outright; whether it’s on my own or having a buddy by my side. I’ve spent too much time at home and not enough getting out there to explore the world. I’m fed up of watching and doing the same stuff repeatedly. I guess it’s because I have little familiarity with anything new; probably because it’s hard for me to hear new conversations. It really needs to start with getting this ear sorted. Then a quick tidy-up won’t go amiss. And I’ll also need to catch up on my projects that I volunteer for. Have I taken on too much responsibility?

Craigmill Timorous Beastie at the Black Horse, Northfield

This is an amazing tardis of a pub with dining rooms and lounges galore. Outside it still retains its merchant house character but within its like stepping into a country mansion. There’s a large comfy sitting room with comfy chairs galore surrounded by wood panelling. There’s a private upstairs room and a small side room with its own bar and two large dining rooms. But having private conversation can be difficult as the pub is very open-plan. The only thing that lets it down is its small glass entrance which has been added on to reflect recent times to make the building more accessible. Also, while the main bar is easy to find, it’s divided by a pillar which makes it difficult to be served by both sides as well as seeing which cask ales are available. If you’re ordering food, it’s probably easier to use the pub’s app as everyone else will be cramming around the one bar to get their order in.

Passwords

The humble password. The guardian to confirm our true identity. But what the hell is it? Did I use my personal details or one of the regular ones that you’ve made me change in the past month because of a security flaw in your software? What special characters and combination of numbers won’t you accept? Some simpler websites aren’t that fussed about account security and don’t allow the use of special characters so they force you to have different ones. I used to have one long complicated password in a software safe that would keep the rest; but I uninstalled that as the software was too expensive to renew. Nowadays I keep a word file with them all saved to disk as there’s that many logins. I should really get around to creating a password for the file; though it’s never uploaded and there’s tons of other files that hackers would have to search through first. Still, ain’t happened yet…

Let's not make a Habit of it

It’s a common habit at work to have one part arrive without the other. Clearly some idiot hasn’t read the instructions on how the item has been transported; or has sent out a second chair but no table. Either that or it’s been lost as they prepare the delivery for transit; especially if the delivery has to attend other stores in the same run. The solution is simple; we go on-line and fill out a form to tell them which parts we’ve got and what we need. It gets a bit more complicated when we request parts that we’re not expected to have received at all; and eventually we give up on these and send them back. So when we receive details of a huge delivery in the morning with no information if the missing parts are being sent; we need to make room for the stuff that we can sell and we plan for the parts that we have received to go back. At which point the missing parts arrive. As we’re not at fault as we haven’t received any communications; we end up sending the lot back.

Hattie Jacques

This was a fascinating documentary that I ended up doze-watching with my mother one evening. It consisted of the raucous off-screen affair of a famous sixties’ actress with a younger lover and her husband’s management of the affair to keep it out of the public eye. The character was larger-than-life and didn’t really care about her off-screen actions; but she was also too clearly loved, and no-one wished to offend her by acting against her wishes. I was intrigued to see how it all ended. It was a shame that Le Mesurier didn’t stand up in protest about the affair; though it seems Jacques had entertained many other characters by renting out rooms in their family home. You may have thought that this wouldn’t have been necessary for such a successful and profilmic actress; however it seemed to work for Hattie so as she wouldn’t get bored of domestic life when off camera. This is clearly someone who was too loved for their own good.

St. David's Ale at the Rising Sun, Redditch

I’m a bit concerned at the lack of patriotism shown during our Saints Day. Other nations make a national holiday of their celebrations and welcome people from all backgrounds to join in and celebrate regardless of nationality. So why don’t we do it? It’s a perfect excuse for a celebration and to encourage people to get out and visit events. There should be more historical re-enactments and festivals on this day. But instead we’re at work without even being allowed to wear the cross. Is it because we’re afraid of offending the Welsh by slaying a dragon; even though St. George was in France at the time? Or is it an example of the British stiff upper lip that gets in the way by not letting us have more fun? Is it the timing? Is it too close to Easter and the government are afraid of giving us an extra holiday in a row? It’s such a shame that there’s no pride in our history.

UK Mail is UK Fail

Far be it from me to question someone’s mode of operation, but when someone’s work environment happens to be a public area that is shared at others; I take great offence when a window is rolled down and a plastic bottle is dropped out into the gutter. I appreciate that it’s a blustery day and that there’s plenty of rubbish around; but that’s still not an excuse to add to the deterioration. Do the drivers not have bins at their depots? Perhaps it’s in Birmingham where the binmen aren’t operating; but again that’s not a reason for the driver to so rashly discard his container. There are bins available. Or do we need an app for that now? I wonder if the driver would appreciate us causing vandalism to his van in exchange for his vandalism to our environment? Surely the company would have something to say about that? After all, there are better human beings who are in need of work…

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a great example of how people come together to get on with things; whether it’s to cope with war and disaster or just accidents in people’s day-to-day lives. It’s full of characters who just want to help spread what good they can without being taken advantage of. There’s no real evil villain here other than what societies have to cope with as they continue to grow and survive. I found the story to be a bit selfish when Noel chose to withhold the information that Jean was in Australia when he came to visit London. Obviously he had some personal reasons for being detached; but as he was acting for his client it would have been more professional for him to conduct the affair more directly. But you do feel sorry for him towards the end; and even though no inconvenience is caused; perhaps this has affected his decision to spend his remaining days in the outback himself.

View all my reviews

The Invite #devil'sdaughter2

‘Are you locked out hun?’ She reached into the depths of her cleavage and pulled out a key card. ‘Not much room down there.’ With a flick of her wrist she loosened her hair which fell below her waist and landed on the back of her posterior. Once she’d unlocked the door, she had to squeeze sideways a step at a time to fit through the door and into the room. As she pulled the rest of the dress through the door she said ‘Would you like to come in and use the phone? It’s a long trek back downstairs.’

Luke ventured inside. She was towering over the bed with her famous assets hanging out. Suddenly, the rest of her dress fell off of her and onto the floor. She yawned and lay down on the bed which immediately started to creak. ‘The phone’s right here baby. Come and get it.’

Cheltenham Gold at the Royal Enfield, Redditch

Long ago, mines were constructed to extract precious metals from the depths of the earth. These were the days where land was owned by anybody rather than a specific group, and these people were happy to rent it out to those who dared to dig in search of a fortune. Gradually, the minerals were diminished and the explorers left; leaving a maze of debris and tunnels in their wake. Then came the need for places of dwelling; and so the land was redeveloped into towns complete with shops and houses. But with the advance of technology that exists today, did the early day explorers really empty the mines? Or is there an untold fortune waiting to be discovered? Many residents have been frantically drilling with metal detectors to see if they’ve literally been living in a gold mine. But with everyone mining at once; will the modern infrastructure withstand these amateur digs?

The Blind Operator

‘I need to feed the cat.’

‘Sorry?’

‘I need to feed the cat.’

‘Is this an emergency?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you safe?’

‘No.’

‘Are you under observation?’

‘Yes.’

‘Is anyone hurt?’

‘Yes.’

Do you need the police?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay, just stay on the line for as long as you can. I’m running a trace and we’ll get a police officer and a doctor over to you. I’ll just keep asking questions until the officer arrives. Can you tell me how many people are with you?’

‘Five cats.’

‘And are they all male?’

‘No.’

‘I’ll send a second car now. Can you tell me your name?’

‘Sally.’

‘OK Sally, everything’s going to be OK. How long have these people been with you?’

‘About ten minutes.’

‘Can you get outside?’

‘No.’

‘Does the officer need to force their way in?’

‘Yes.’

‘OK Sally, they’ll break in. Now I need you to stay on the line for as long as you can; but if they threaten you or they make you hang up then don’t worry as the officers are arriving, OK?’

CLICK.     

Ice Ice Baby

How do these buildings form these white teeth on the roof? It’s as if the building is grimacing against the cold. Science says that they form when the water gets too cold, and droplets solidify as they attempt to fall to the ground. While the temperature rises, water continues to fall and drip down, allowing stalactites to form. But what if another being was at work? After all, it does seem as if this matter just forms out of thin air, and even if the snow melts it can still be some time before the icicles melt completely if the temperature doesn’t change too much. It’s as if someone’s trying to build a completely new world over the one that you know. There’s an attempt for something to cross over; though it never lasts. Or is it fate trying to attempt a stab at someone? That could fall at any moment…

Lampeter Beer & Cider Festival

If you haven’t visited Lampeter in the winter months recently then you may not be aware that an annual beer and cider festival is up and running and has been a recurring event for five years. Having joined the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) after graduation, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to meet up with some fellow alumni over a few drinks.

The festival is organised by the Lampeter Round Table to raise money for local charities, and in its first year the organisers had to run to the co-op for extra supplies! This year’s event was in mid-February and had over twenty different beers served in the Arts Hall from breweries across Wales, and there was a great selection of Welsh cider too. All the drinks came with tasting notes in a commemorative festival programme.

Some of the beers that we tried included a hoppy golden beer called Rock Steady from the Mantle brewery in Cardigan and a copper-coloured ale named Hot Tin Roof from 9 Lives Brewing in Ystradgynlais. There was also an odd concoction of green tea and apricot infused into a pale ale named Goucho to mark the Welsh-Patagonia landing in 1865. Our firm festival favourite had to be a marshmallow porter from the Tiny Rebel brewery in Newport named Stay Puft – the aroma was gorgeous!

Alongside the beer and cider were performances from local bands who played a mixture of well-known pop songs as well as their own material. It certainly got people singing along and it was great to see a good mixture of both students and visitors soaking up the atmosphere. Hot snacks and sandwiches were available in the arts hall foyer but we opted to finish our day with an excellent Chinese meal at Ling Di Long.

For more details of the festival and future events, keep an eye on the festival website: www.lampeterbeerfestival.co.uk This year the hourly TrawsCymru T1 service between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen was free on the day of the festival. If you’re a fan of cwrw I highly recommended a visit. Iechyd da!

When Hell Freezes Over

In most cultures, Hell is associated with heat where everything’s roasted to a crisp, but at least there’s warmth to take advantage of. And it’s always easy to create shade in such an environment which you can adapt to. The real hell comes during the big freeze in winter. It’s hard to find somewhere warm outside. There’s little light in the daytime for warmth and it’s hard to get access to any sort of liquid. Plants struggle to grow as quickly as possible towards that dim light in the sky to break free and gather as much energy as possible. And you’re isolated outside too. Everyone else is sheltering inside. In the desert you might dehydrate but there’s a chance that you can live off your own sweat for a while. You can even dig your own shelter. In the artic it’s too cold to dig, and any shelter that you do create will just make you even colder.

Next to Nothing

I needed to get some new jeans. Both of my current pairs had developed a hole after some substantial service, and I also realised that I didn’t own a smart pair of trousers that wasn’t denim either. I decided to head into the city for some well overdue shopping to compare some styles. At one store I found a pair that I liked but they weren’t in my size. Then, while in the pub, I had a brainwave. I could order the jeans on-line into my local store; and if they were in stock there might be a chance that I could collect them on my way home. I logged onto the pub’s wi-fi and found out that if I opened an on-line account, I could get £10 refunded. When I arrived at my local store, I saw some trousers that I liked and went to try them on. It was only then I realised that I’d ordered the wrong size. In the end I had to re-order everything, which meant that my original order was re-credited but I had to pay up-front for the new sizes; thus losing my £10 bonus. Almost got them for next to nothing, but so close.

Five Minutes Later

I took this photo for insurance purposes. I’d failed to get my car home in the snow. I’d managed to get it up the steep hill, but for some reason I couldn’t get it up the smaller hill to the close where I live. I eventually managed to slide over to the other side of the road and pull up alongside the kerb. Although I wasn’t causing an obstruction, I was parked on a double-yellow line. I wasn’t necessarily worried about getting a ticket, I was more concerned about if someone tried to come down the hill and take the corner and slide right into me. So I gathered my things and walked back to the house; changed into comfortable clothes and grabbed my snow shovel. About five minutes passed before I returned to my car, and less than eight feet in front of me was a car that had nearly done exactly what I had feared. I got digging frantically then to drive my car that remaining few feet off the yellow lines.

The Rat Pack #ratpack1

Deep beneath the city lies a network of giant tunnels. The creatures that dwell within them seldom see the light of day, but they prefer it to the light and noise generated from the outside world. Some of their younger cousins whizz by through their network as they explore other parts of the city; but for the most part the tunnels are controlled by the Ratelli family. However, there’s growing rivalry as they struggle to keep their ever-expanding turf occupied from the outside world; particularly by the surface dwellers. And on top of that a prophesy is in place that one day a high-speed railway from the north of the city will attempt to integrate with the Ratelli network which will bring threats from northern gangs. The family council is currently training pinkies to police its link-up site to cause as much disruption as possible to prevent the bridging of these networks.

Too Close to Call

Why is it that people think that they can zoom down a hill in icy conditions and think that things will be the same? As a driver I’d never dream of going down this hill; and all it takes is a good sense of direction to think that there’s an alternative route to find. In most cases; the name of the road helps. If it’s a road or a lane then there’s a good chance that there’s access to it from some other turning. Or why not pull over and set up the sat-nav to have a scroll around? There’s no actual warning signs about the hill other than vehicles over 7.5 tonnes; although we’ve had buses come down when they’re lost or have been re-routed. The result is an insurance nightmare with the loss of a hedge concealing the home; a knocked-over road sign owned by the council and the damage done to the car as well. Was it worth it? Perhaps to the homeowner if he wanted a new fence; but he’d have to wait a bit. Amazingly, the car got towed away early the next day, but the fence took three months to arrange a repair.

When the Door Slams Shut

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us." -Helen Keller

It’s not often that we face a choice of more than one door to walk through. It’s only when you enter large public buildings that the real decision-making process takes place. Do I queue for the line to go through the automatic doors or is it faster to use the handle? No doubt the latter is more environmentally friendly as it doesn’t necessarily use power but does take more physical effort. And does it make you happy that you can get to your destination faster? Absolutely. But we must be quick on our feet to see the opportunity. We can’t brood on what could have behind the first door; though in most cases you can see through them. Some have peepholes or there may be an angle from a different area of the building to help you decide whether you should open the door. But don’t keep them waiting for long.

Living in a Winter Wonderland

That white stuff has appeared again. It used to be just tiny pieces that appeared in the night like spots or freckles, but they’d soon fade away when the sun came up. This morning, it’s fallen from the sky and it feels like having a ton of someone else’s hair on your head. Some folk will come out and clear the road or even the drive; and at least that gives me a bit of a breather. Some will open their windows to ensure that they get a clear view of the outside world; though most will just stay at home in the warm and crank up the heat. And while it’s nice that they’ve got the heating on and that it reaches my roots, it still feels cold up top. No-one dares to climb up and clear it off the roof. So when the temperature drops, it sticks to me like gum in my hair. Brr!