24th January

I really don't know about this weather. It has continued to thaw and the roads are clear and also dry in places but there was snow in the night which settled, in some places. There was snow on my car this morning and a fresh covering over at the ponies, in places, in other places patches of earth are beginning to appear. It was definitely thawing all day, but we have no water still. I see ponds are still iced over with snow on top and disgruntled ducks standing around.

At the farm we still have a lot of snow, in places, and water is not running from the well but can be drawn up from it manually. The owner slipped and fell into the well cutting his head when fetching water for the yard this morning. I had just enough water in the bottom of the kettle for my morning coffee, I don't know how they are managing in the house. So for all those whose only concern is reaching the local supermarket and who think the crises is over, spare a thought for us, conditions this morning resembled some remote back post.
 On top of this the family at the farm had to say goodbye to their 13 year old Collie, Daisy. She had liver cancer and had been very poorly for the past week. She was three quarters Border Collie and a quarter Lassie Collie, and one of the loveliest dogs I have ever known, so gentle with children and puppies, it has left a big gap there despite the remaining two Spaniels.

Bo-Bo one of the Spaniels

This evening Kate brought Jesse to see me as she was passing. He looks fantastic. He and Rosie enjoyed a run together. It was great to see him, now eight months,  remember he is still looking for a home.