Let’s not be dramatic about it, it’s not going to be ‘The Big Freeze’, but the next week looks like being pretty chilly. From tonight until next Saturday night time temperatures will be below freezing – down to -4° some nights, and only 2° or 3° during the day. it’s just good old fashioned winter weather, and if there is some sunshine with it I am quite happy. Last week there were predictions of snow for the coming period, but they seem to have rowed back on that. A couple of days in a winter wonderland would be rather nice, but not if it interferes with my delivery rounds – I’ve had enough disruption from the rain of the past couple of months thank you very much. So check your oil tank and restock the log basket and keep warm.
On Tuesday I’m going for a health check at the GP surgery. Not because I have any specific concerns about my wellbeing, but just to see that everything is basically functioning as it should. I know some other men around my age that have been invited by their doctors to have such a check, but I never have, so I called the surgery and asked if they did them. “Yes” was the reply from the receptionist “and I can see that you are eligible for one, would you like one?”. Err, yes, that’s why I called! So I am seeing a nurse or health worker or some such on Tuesday. I will report back next week on what I have got to cut back on.
I had a bit of a result at the dentist on Monday. As mentioned last week I was booked in for a regular check-up, and I was hoping that the filling in my front tooth could be re-done. Well it was, and because it was where it was no anaesthetic was required – always a bonus, and I could eat and drink immediately. However, the bigger bonus was that I didn’t have to pay for it! Because the work was only done last April it was covered by their warranty. I celebrated by buying a big bag of toffees…..joke.
I received some hand and feet warmers for Christmas (the activated charcoal types) and was keen to try them out at the market yesterday. One gets very cold standing in the same spot for hours at this time of the year. Well I am pleased to say that they worked a treat, particularly the inner soles in my boots, they kept my feet toasty warm and lasted for much longer than I thought they would. The downside is that they are single use, but are a luxury worth indulging in for the few Saturdays of the winter when they are really necessary. My hands and feet are always cold, so it was a treat for them not to feel like blocks of ice.
Brussels sprouts are not just for Christmas…..they are back this week, yay! There will be cauliflowers, leeks, curly kale, squash, root crops, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, including portobello. I actually had them last week, but like a donkey I had forgotten to add them to the shop! Fortunately I was able to sell them at Wyken yesterday. The festival of citrus fruit continues with large lemons, small limes, Clementines, oranges and Sevilles for marmalade making. One customer at the market yesterday bought a bag of them from me, but not for marmalade, he is making vodka with them, which was a new one on me.
I am going to make some pesto this week. I have got out of the routine and it’s about time that I got back in the saddle. It will be chard (green) and red onion, but in a week or two there should be enough rocket for me to make a batch with.
I had a treat yesterday afternoon whilst sipping a cup of tea in the potting shed. A barn owl swooped right past the window and proceeded to scan the small paddock just across the track. It headed off across one of the larger fields and disappeared from view. Just a couple of minutes later it appeared again retracing its hunting route, taking it around the back of the greenhouse.