24.01.2025 Storm Éowyn!

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  Friday 24th 39F/4C. Overcast and wet. Heavier rain this afternoon. Britain and Ireland are expecting almost a full scale hurricane! Fortunately it swings north and avoids Denmark. Though it is expected to be quite windy and bring some rain.

 7.30 Up at 6am after a disturbed night. 63F/17C in the room. Adding a log in the night may have helped. I had better light the stove. Bring in another basket of logs. Another basket of beech kindling. I have just started on the latest trailer load of logs. To save waiting in pointlessly all day, I have emailed the drainage contractor.

9.30 No response so far. A gust of 114mph has been registered on the coast of Ireland. The highest wind speed ever recorded by the Irish national meteorological agency. [Met Éireann] There is the first ever Red Warning of danger to life to the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland. As is The Isle of Man. Over half a million homes are already without power. Even before the storm peaks. 

 The roads are described as almost deserted. As most drivers sensibly heed the warning to stay at home. All schools are closed. Even Wales has recorded a near 90mph gust at Capel Curig in Snowdonia. Not far from where we used to live. Albeit at slightly higher elevation at 300m. Over 90mph at Aberdaron on the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula. Again in N.Wales.

 I have ordered some matching wall cabinets from IKEA. To hide my larder items and to make the oven cabinet appear less awkward. I have gone for matching wood grain effect in textured white. With glass doors for two wide cabinets. A narrower cabinet with solid, "panel" door for the top of the oven cabinet. This should provide a more uniform look to the hovel's kitchen. 

 I have chosen shallower 39cm deep cabinets to avoid a too top heavy feel. The IKEA stuff is acceptable at the price. My own taste is for antique pine and small paned glass. However, the large white surfaces light up the kitchen as expected and desired. Pine would be and probably is seriously dated by now. I have to think in terms of increasing the value of the hovel on my inevitable demise. Not matching it to what was considered good taste in my youth.

 The record breaking storm claimed one life and cut power to over a million homes in the UK.

 Dinner was chicken, mushrooms and chips. I washed up while it was cooking. Meanwhile, I am experimenting with cooking longer but at lower settings. Just trying to ensure the chicken was tender. It was the best so far. Also that the chips weren't hard and crispy. 50:50.

 

 

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