It’s turned cold here, as forecast, and no mistake. We had some rain, then a few nice sunny days, and now we’ve had a hard frost the past two mornings and even some flurries of snow on Saturday. In October. Good grief! According to Yahoo, the UK has had one of the coldest October days in a decade. I believe it. Saturday, I put the heating on low and left it on all day. The Deckhand and I are ‘manfully’ fighting off a cold, and despite both wearing 3 layers indoors, we were feeling the chill. Cups of hot ginger tea, and Chai tea were flowing freely. We’re not poorly, just a little sneezing, and feeling the cold. As an aside, I counted that we have 5 different teas here, and 3 different coffees. Only one cocoa lol

I’d shinned up the slippery rigging Saturday to put washing out, only to bring it back in when I noticed it was snowing a little. As the day wore on, it warmed a little, we had some sunshine, and I managed to get the washing out again until it was almost dry. We have a tumble dryer; however, I prefer the smell of line dried laundry, even when near a town, and of course it’s free.

I’ve been to the shops for a good top up of groceries, with the Deckhand grilling me before I left; did I have money? Mobile? Keys? Shopping list? Recently we’d popped out for a clothes shop for him, only to arrive at our destination with me not taking my handbag. OMG. Luckily, it was only 2 miles away so back we went, collected the missing item which included the store card, then back to the shop. It was a successful shopping trip; however, I doubt I’ll live it down for a while.

I confess, my mind is a little distracted. All things being equal, I would have been travelling to South Wales today as on Monday, Mum would have been 80. She’d been hinting for years about a ‘surprise’ party, mainly because we’d had one for Dad when he turned 80. Obviously with her being so poorly we wouldn’t have had a party, but I would have visited none the less. I chatted to my kid sister Saturday and she seems okay about the missed birthday, but my brother is apparently in denial of her death and hasn’t accepted it yet. It’s only been about 3 or 4 months, so early days I guess. I shall raise a glass Monday night in remembrance of a great Mum who did a good job raising us despite very little support, and little financial help.

As mentioned, Mum was almost 80 when she died, and her Father was 82 before cancer took him. Her Mother only made it to 65, cancer, she was a heavy smoker. My Father was also 82 when he passed, and his Mother was a good age too before she died. No idea about his Father as he walked out on them when my Father was born. Abondonment must run in the family LMAO. I digress... Further back than that is a mystery, though possibly some good genes re longevity in our family thus far…

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend and have a good week. Hope all in the UK remembered to put the clocks back an hour. Keep warm and safe out there.