Uprooted

Backblip

Don't know who names storms, but 'Arwen' really wasn't appropriate for this one! 'Ragnarok' or 'Thor' would have been better, or 'de Pfeffel' maybe? Anyway, not much sleep last night, with the ferocious wind howling and things clattering around outside. No power as yet, so the alarm clock failed to go off. The wind had died down a bit by the time we should have been getting up, so MrM and I both fell in to a deep sleep.

After a very late start, I decided to tackle last night's washing up, while MrM inspected the flat for damage. A few tiles need fixing, and a trellis had blown off the wall but, touch wood, he couldn't see any further damage.

In the afternoon a walk up to the Common. It was still windy, but nothing like last night, and we both felt the need to get outside. Some storm damage to buildings, and a huge number of trees down. It was quite upsetting to see dozens of uprooted trees on the Common (extras). Unexpectedly, as we thought it was too dark and too windy to see any, we watched no less than six red squirrels performing acrobatics in the trees, and coming down to one of the feeders. Not a great photo of a squirrel, but it's more cheerful than scenes of devastation.

While we were on the Common, there was a mobile signal for a couple of minutes and two texts landed, both from Northern Powergrid. The first, sent yesterday, indicated that they expected to restore our power by 9.00pm! The second, sent this morning, indicated 4.00pm this afternoon. But the appointed hour came and went, and there was no electricity.

It's surprising how little you can do indoors in the modern age without power - no light, no central heating, no broadband, no mobile signal. But we're luckier than many people, as we have a small wood burner for warmth, and a gas hob, so we can at least make hot drinks and cook meals. But the evenings seem very long at this time of year! This evening we entertained ourselves by playing mandolins. At least MrM played mandolin, while I demonstrated a complete inability to pick up a tune by ear...