Frozen over

Another very cold night, -5.5c and a think freezing fog first thing. To our surprise this soon cleared and we were left with another sparkling sunny day with deep blue skies. Today’s blip is of our pond, frozen over and reflecting the light and house. Ice crystals on the cars were magnificent.

Earlier in the week we learned that planning permission has been sought to turn the stables and livery, where Susan used to keep Kismet, into a small development of luxury homes.

At first sight putting such a development in the North Downs ANOB* (is they still called that?) would impact on the area and is not environmentally sustainable and would lead to more traffic on a hazardous lane.

We went to have a look. The place really is a poor sight, dilapidated and ramshackle. A new development sensitively done would make such a difference. It’s a difficult one, some might say that the yard has been deliberately left in decline to make a development seem sensible. We will see what the planners have to say. And anyway, it will not affect us!

Booked a week in the Lake District in March to investigate long term rental properties for May. The plan is to find somewhere suitable during the week we’re up there.