Thaw

Snow turned to sleet turned to rain during the night and the avalanches off the roof started. In our part of the world, the avalanche warnings are very high and the teams of avalanche "exploders" are busy throwing dynamite out of helicopters to carry out controlled ones.

Given the thaw and the flood warning went to test my big petrol driven, firebrigade hose size water pump. Like my snowblower, cheap Chinese 2005 that seldom gets used. Been a couple of years. Third pull on starter and the cord ripped! Gave up and got a small electric pump to empty our huge flooded cellar under the horse stables which was at least half if not 2/3rds full - and it can take at least 100,000 litres! Also got a second one working as back up for the house cellar pump should things get really bad.

By evening the horse cellar was empty. Evening dog walk again in continuing gale but the track to the forest free, and we were protected - relatively, the wind was still very noticeable.