As I sit at my desk writing this, a pool is slowly forming underneath my chair. I can’t help it. It’s the weather.
Last Sunday our normal, warm, wet, westerly weather was diverted by a blocking high, and the air began coming from the north and east. Intensely cold air crossing the relatively warm North Sea picks up a load of moisture and on Sunday it began dumping a lot of snow over us here in Fife and elsewhere. This continued throughout Monday, and Tuesday. Frequent snow showers are still adding to the snow cover today and these conditions are set to continue for the rest of the week. It is the most snow I have seen for a long time. It matches ’62 -’63. It might even be as bad as ’47! I am talking “over the top of the wellies” snow! In fact it is, on average, reaching mid thigh.
These are not the conditions to venture out, but it is surprising how many reasons there are that require me to be outside. Digging out the car in case we need it and they clear the road, logs for the fire, worried about the weight – pushing snow off the conservatory roof, but above all there are the poor birds.
When I was working I ignored the birds. They were just there. Now we spend more time in the conservatory looking out, we have paid them more attention and have put up various bird feeders. Watching and getting to know the birds has become a source of enormous pleasure. Over the years we have identified thirty-nine different species in the garden. Today they are all struggling and I have been going out frequently to top up the feeders and provide some unfrozen water. One to two hundred birds are accepting our hospitality. The cold makes them bolder and they will take seed off my hand.
To be outside, even for a short time requires maximum protection, particularly for the feet. Inside my wellies there are two thick pairs of hiking socks. It is a tight fit, so much so that when I come in caked with snow from my latest garden errand, I am unable to get off the wellies. My feet are jammed inside, which is why everywhere I have been in the house today is marked by a damp patch.
Unhelpfully, Long Suffering Wife has pointed out that it would be convenient if I come up with a solution to the jammed welly problem before bedtime.