Short walk round Etruria

A few views of the area near Etruria Flint Mill and along the canal towards Shelton. Then we walked along the main road back to our starting point. By then the mist was dropping down and fine flakes of snow had started to fall so I drove us home… At least we fed the geese and I had a short walk. That’s four walks in five days. A couple of years ago I would barely walk a couple of hundred yards. My friend has encouraged me and I’m starting to really enjoy it and feel a lot fitter for it.

Walking in the snow

Went for a walk locally with my hubby on the flat because I’m a bit nervous of falling over on the ice. I fell and pulled a hamstring a few years ago and it was very painful so I’m cautious on hills….

We walked 4.43 km in the wet snow and ice, equivalent to 2.75 miles. In my case that’s over 7000 steps. We did walk on the road for part of it because it was to slippy. I might try and find my snow chains for my shoes…. Photos of hubby and sunsets taken near the local allotments in Stoke.

That basket

I said I would post again about this hanging basket. I’m afraid the frost a couple of nights ago and minus 3.3°c put paid to the begonias, but some of the other plants are still going. Now they are covered in snow and more is forecast over the next few days…. I will see what it looks like whan it’s thawed a bit……

Reflected

Water is life, falling on the ground, percolating into it, into the cracks between the pavement. Water finds its way through layers of rock and can appear thousands of years later in a spring. Water covers two thirds of the world in oceans and seas. But it is only a thin coat. Most of the world is molten or an iron core, with a mantle of rock floating above. Volcanos erupt around the world, Hawaii is a chain of volcanic islands erupting like a chain of bubbles in the Pacific ocean.

Are there other ‘water worlds’? Maybe Europa, a moon of Jupiter, which is covered in ice, could have oceans of water under its frozen crust.

Time for a cool glass

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Thirsty, I really fancy a cool glass of juice. But I don’t have any in. So a glass of cold water with some ice will have to suffice.

I had to do some shopping today. I was pushing a trolley and people kept scooting past me. Two meter distance? it seemed that people were not that bothered! I get in and out as quickly as I can. There is the problem of using touch screens, I walk round with gloves and a face mask, but have to take the gloves off to put my pin in! I could try ordering on line, but apparently there is a three week wait for slots!

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Con trail excitement!

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Just had the excitement of seeing a con trail overhead. Con stands for condensation, it’s when a jet airplane flies high up and the hot and humid exhaust gases from its engine condense out as ice crystals in the very low temperature and low vapour pressure air. Its like when you breathe out in the winter and your breath turns into ice if its cold enough.

For some reason there is a conspiracy theory that the vapour is made of chemicals and that governments are spreading them from the planes.

Ask yourself, why would they do that? There were experiments in the mid twentieth century to try and ‘seed’ clouds to make them rain. But it didn’t really take off!

It is strange how these weird ideas get into the world. I prefer thinking things through. If it doesn’t make sense can it be true?

Anyway I don’t think one con trail makes for the end of the lockdown here, like the old saying ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’. And really, I for one would like there to be a lot less flights, or more ecologically sustainable ones when things do resolve themselves.

In the meantime please stay safe.

Good morning.

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Cold as ice.

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Her face seemed chiselled and angular, it was pale and smooth. The one blemish was a  small mole just below the left side of her mouth. Icy, that’s what he thought, like an ice sculpture. Her manner was friendly though, a slight smile played around her mouth as they chatted. He was attracted to her and decided to ask her to go for a drink.

At the bar he asked her what she wanted? Vodka and tonic was her reply, no ice.

They sat and drank and chatted, he felt closer to her than anyone else he’d ever met. He held her hand and she smiled that quiet smile again.

Look I’ll give you a lift home he said. No problem, it’s on my way. She readily agreed.

As they pulled up outside her house he leaned towards her, a little peck on her cheek, it felt cold under his lips. He looked into her tranquil blue eyes. She took his face in her hands, directing her mouth towards him, pulling his face down, inwards. He felt the cold now, sharp, icy, his mouth was numb. The chill spread across his face, his head. Despite the heat he was freezing, shivering. The kiss continued until his eyes glazed over and he slumped forward.

Sorry hun, she said.

Sliders.

Imagine a game like curling that you play with stones on ice, but on a normal floor. That’s sliders, a curling game where the stones have ball bearings underneath them to allow them to glide across the floor  You aim at a target with scores which go from 1 2 3 4 5 and 10.

Today I actually scored a 10, which is very unusual for us. Sometimes I can’t even reach the target as the bearings on the stones are starting to get worn out. We play a simple game where the highest score after an hour wins. Today there were 7 of us playing. It’s also good exercise as you are bending and stretching and walking backwards and forwards.

If you want a simple game to play at a community centre or village hall I would recommend it.