08.02.2021 Abandon hope...?

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Monday 8th February, overcast with gales to 40mph and a snow drifting warning. The trees are rocking back and forth in the gloom. 25F/-4C outdoors, 48F/9C in the open plan, living area, 53F/12C at bedtime last night after the wood stove was burning all day. A steady 39F/4C in the kitchen and hall. The outside temperature is expected to drop to -9C by the end of the week.

Eight taxes + 25% VAT and a £75 government "snatch" on our very modest electricity bill.

We could have gone to the library, to stay warm, but it is closed because of the Jinping Plague. Though the wood stove would have gone out after a couple of hours anyway. Making it even colder indoors. 

The wind was blowing straight through my fleece trousers and supermarket bought, thermal, long johns on my walk.  The road was covered in long drifts off the exposed fields in several places. I saw the snow plough lorry coming and dashed to the other side of the road. To let him continue ploughing unhindered. He actually gave me a thumbs up! I recrossed the road and plodded on. 

It has reached 51F indoors after two hours of the wood stove being lit. 27F and still overcast outdoors. Little/no sign of the promised sunshine so far.

13.00. Lunchtime. Still overcast and 27F outside with snow flurries. 52F indoors.

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