29-Jan to 04-Feb 2012

Sun 29-Jan: Had a walk around Somersham this morning. Here's the pond we walked around... very atmospheric with drifting mist and the quiet that brings. Four fishermen not a few metres apart each hauled in a fish as we walked by. Very strange. The temperature was just above freezing and Mary's Tearoom was shut so after an hour we scooted homeward, popping into an indoor car boot sale on the way, unfortunately shutting up shop when we arrived so no bargains to be had.

Mon 30-Jan: Here I am this afternoon ready for the fortnightly composting event, the starting point of which is the game of tap the rat on the head. This time no sign of him hurtling out of the compost for all he's worth, thought he'd definitely been there since it looked like a cross section of London Underground. Either heard me coming or nipped out while my back was turned. When getting ready for the game it pays to ensure your coat isn't overhanging the edge of the bin. There's no certainty where he'll erupt from and it just might be where I am. Not a nice thought, a desperate rat fast heading northwards inside your coat!

From OMED 2012

Tue 31-Jan: Another rotten weather day, so another morning surfing another local garden centre. Interested in this shabby chic display using wooden crates... liked a similar display in a flower shop in Somersham on Sunday. To me looks a great way to have flexible bookshelves in the study, but I'm in a majority of one and since they appear to cost at least £15 each methinks they won't be appearing in the study anytime soon. Must keep my eBay radar open in case I can pick up any cheap used examples.

Wed 01-Feb: My white elephant leather footstool, bought from TK Maxx for £8, didn't get a single bid on eBay (where it was on for £15 to include petrol costs). Not a sausage. So it's sitting in a dark corner of the garage hidden away from Linda, who doesn't know a thing about it. Crashed and burned on my first 'proper' eBay trade, where I've gone out and bought something specifically to sell on eBay. Was I hustled by John? When he gave me the guided tour of TK Maxx and then said 'Come here, look at this' and pointed to the footstool hidden away behind a pillar I thought he was showing me a real bargain. Maybe like some Eastend spiv he saw the opportunity to offload defunct stock on an innocent punter. Can I interest Becky for cost price? Will I have to put up for auction again? That first million is going to take longer than I thought ~:0(

Thu 02-Feb: Linda and I ambled around the Holywell walk this morning. Here's a snap of lovely cottages overlooking the flood meadow to The Ouse... when my Premium Bond comes up trumps I'm having the one end-on in the middle. Was bitterly cold, could feel the wind whistling through my hat.

Fri 03-Feb: Occasionally some of the views in St Ives make me stop and admire, reminding me just how lucky we are to live here. This view of The Waits with All Saints Parish Church in the background is just such a view, and the site of so much we enjoy... eating Italian ice cream with boats moored on The Waits and brass bands playing there every Sunday throughout Summer, Norris Museum, in the garden of which I'm always tempted to have a snooze, and the beautifully green and peaceful Holt Island where we love to sit in the sun looking over the river to Hemingford Meadow. But another freezing day as indicated by the ice on the water, so after our visit to the twice weekly street market and coffee in The Dolphin we were off home smartish.

Sat 04-Feb: Bang on schedule it started snowing this evening and we're predicted to have a couple of inches or more by morning. Here's the view as I headed for bed at 23:15. Excited call from Connor earlier about sledge racing tomorrow on the St Ivo School hill. Paige says she's going to beat me as well. And Sammy will hopefully be giving it a go too. Better get that sledge out early tomorrow and give it a good waxing!