Ice on the pond, and utter devastation

Backblip

Still no power, despite Northern Powergrid's optimistic text yesterday. One of the pubs in the town is now a 'Rest Centre, supplying warmth, hot drinks and food to those who need it, and a burger van is in the bus station car park, supplying people with food courtesy the power company. The paper shop is open, serving people by candlelight.

This morning I realised that our alarm clock/radio takes batteries, so at least we can hear the news. That's likely all we'll be bothering with, as the only station we can get at present is Radio 1!

MrM and I decided on an afternoon walk up the the Common again, this time via Kettles Fort. From the fort, the whole landscape changed overnight. A large solid stand of trees, mostly larches, has been flattened, with only a few pines remaining (1st extra). The woods are a scene of utter devastation, and goodness knows how many trees have been uprooted or simply torn in half. The second extra shows part of St Cuthbert's Way, no longer passable - it would be far too dangerous to try!

We walked back to the track round the pond on the Common, and were again pleased to see red squirrels, just two today on one of the feeders (extra). Ice on the pond seems a more cheerful photo than devastation in the woods.

On the way home called in to make sure that Jacqui was OK. She was indeed nice and warm in her living room, and had put some of her camping gear to good use. She insisted on plying us with whisky and wine, and we spent a very pleasant hour with her before going back out into the cold!

MrM and I re-acquainted ourselves with the Scrabble board this evening - two competitive games. One all!