It has been our coldest night of the year. Our boiler is still not working, and the next service appointment has been deferred until 19th January. I made a further call today and secured a visit for tomorrow morning.
We have a couple of plug in radiators and a fan heater. Strategically distributed, and with extra layers of clothing, they will have to do.
As shown by these leaves embedded in the ice of a frozen fountain, when Martin began working today the temperature outside was -6C.
He uses the stone he attempted to pick up to provide a slope for his wheelbarrow regularly transported to and from the stacks of material on the back drive. This was frozen to the ground.
A fulcrum was required in order for him to prise it loose.
The aggregate providing the next level was wheeled in the barrow
and tipped out ready for
compacting with a machine designed for the purpose.
Before applying the compactor, the material frozen solid in its bags had to be decompressed with a pickaxe and
being shovelled into the barrow. Martin kept this up all morning.
This evening we dined on Red Chilli’s excellent takeaway fare, each couple on trays in their respective sitting rooms heated by an electric radiator. My main meal was Lamb Dhansak, Jackie’s, Sag Chicken; we shared mushroom rice and a plain paratha.