Snow, snow, snow

I wrote last week's entry on Friday night; had I waited until Saturday, it would have read slightly differently.  Whilst doing yet more laths on Saturday (to be ready for the plasterer on Tuesday), it was steadily snowing outside.  By lunchtime it was about four inches, and by the time my arms were dropping off (if you've ever done laths you must know what I mean!) it was nearer eight inches (see photo right).  I had serious doubts about being able to drive even just the one mile back home.  I accomplished that safely, but found that on a new-ish housing estate (where we are currently renting), the local council does NOTHING about snow/ice gritting etc on roads, far less pavements.  As I drove into the estate, the roads became steadily worse until I gratefully reached the 20cm virgin snow in our cul-de-sac.

Of course, this had obvious implications for my project management plans for the week: basically, nothing has happened.  The carefully laid plans for the collection of our rooflight, the fitment of the rooflight and the finishing of the roof around it, the finishing of replacing laths on two bedroom ceilings, plastering of those two ceilings, and the removal of the scaffolding - NOTHING.  Apart from the snow, it really has been very cold, with minus 11 deg C one morning this week, when the hot water system in our 10-year old rented house froze!

The good news was that our first grandchild was safely born (early) on Sunday evening, and the snow did not prevent us from driving to visit on both Monday and Tuesday.  So, work is suspended whilst we attend to more important issues in life, like supporting our son and daughter-in-law with their new responsibilities, and celebrating Christmas with our daughter plus partner, who arrived here today.