It's continued to be extremely wet and windy as well as cold. Rich had to travel down to the Midlands for a week at short notice, he's just returned. I'd made myself a big list of things to get done while he was away, I managed very little. The weather didn't help, very high winds with intermittent hail made me want to stay in and hug the fire. I found it difficult to sleep because of the noise and worrying that something was going to blow away. The French doors flying open in the middle of the night didn't help.
The day after he left I took the washing down to the barn as I thought I'd get it all done as it had been windy overnight so we'd have lots of electricity. It wasn't to be however, the low battery light was flashing and no power was coming in from the turbine, just a small amount from solar. Going through the gate on the track and staring up the hill I could see our windmill standing still despite being buffeted by a gale. I hoped it was going to be twisted wires like we've had a couple of times before. But unfortunately even after care and attention from our resident expert it still needs further work which has had to wait until the weather calms.
Going without electricity hasn't been too bad, the worst bit was being without lights in the evening. We tend to get enough solar in the day to keep it ticking over as long as we don't put anything on which would drain it.
I was very relieved when Rich returned, we weren't sure he'd make it as once again there were weather warnings in place. He left the travelodge at Perth in the early hours to miss the snow which was forecast for Aviemore. Luckily the postboat was still running despite the high winds and although it was quite a rough crossing, he made it. It was lovely to have him back.
It is extremely muddy everywhere here so we're trying to concentrate on chopping wood to put into store until we can get on with the garden. I've still not quite finished clearing the pond.
I'm hoping to plant more cauliflower seeds but the polytunnel has a stream running through it, we're really hoping it dries up soon. We have bought seed potatoes though, I've left them to chit in the window of the barn.
It's easy to feel like we're not getting anywhere at times but we just have to keep going. Once spring returns it'll feel completely different. This last bit of winter always seems to drag.
I know we're very fortunate to live the life we do.
Rich and I went up this morning to lower the wind turbine and carry down the part which needs work. Hopefully it won't take too long and we'll have plenty of sun in the meantime.
Spring is slowly arriving, the crocuses are appearing. They don't stay long as they're normally eaten overnight by deer. There's lots of work needed to deer proof the garden, we've got some gates and have started buying fencing posts. It's on our to-do list!
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