A cold start

You know it’s cold when the water pipes freeze.

Yep, this morning we have the dubious pleasure of not being able to shower, or flush the toilet or wash the dishes. I used to live in a house in Melbourne where the pipes would freeze and I learned to keep a kettle full of water in the kitchen so I could warm it somewhat (not boiling) and then traipse across the frosty lawn in pajamas to tip it over the water metre. Not prepared here today I guess. 😦

Yep, that is -6.1 outside. the -4.0 is inside the greenhouse.

Also inside the greenhouse. My broccoli and cauliflowers are looking a wee bit frozen in there but the tomatoes look great.

 

I went out early to feed the animals as I suspected (rightly so) that water might be a bit on the crunchy side. The wonderful chicken watering system that we have has 4 small watering dishes all frozen solid. The ducks baths were crusted with 10mm thick ice and even Anna’s bucket was iced over. The poor baby chicks were looking forlornly at their frozen water too. How does one refill water when one’s own pipes are frozen? Thankfully, although my hose was a rock solid shape, the water in the small water tank was still mostly liquid although the tap is frozen shut. And that tap has a leak which is caught in a bucket… Which was also thankfully not solid.

We have no water in the pond (it needed changing) and we are NOT amused.

Here’s the pond water.

Glorious frost along the edge of the garden beds in the veggie patch.

Back into the house with a roaring fire and 2 hours later with sun streaming in the window, it’s just over 14C inside. Hats, gloves and scarves are the order of the day. Oh, and ugg boots too. 😀 Hot porridge and hot chocolates will help put the warmth back into us though. 🙂

Broad beans on ice?

Or maybe a nice warm cat. 🙂

Or two. 😀

Happy Solstice everyone. 🙂

 

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