Big Freeze

The big freeze is set to continue for another 10 days it seems.Snow is forecast for tomorrow in the south, listening to the radio this morning I heard that the ground is frozen up to a depth of 30cms!This is having tremendous effects on any crop which is still in the ground and will seriously delay spring crops being put in.I took photos at home this morning of the bird feeder and bird bath (water in a flower pot tray). I think this black bird was hogging the bird bath, the thrush was hopping impatiently on the gate post.
One of the bird feeders by the door and the black bird is still hogging the bird bath.
I took Kevin and Scott out to the Lough today as Kevin had never seen it frozen over. Yesterday afternoon some one fell through the ice and the City Council broke all of the ice around the perimeter with a JCB. Crowds of people assembled around the Lough yesterday when schools which had not closed due to the weather left their pupils out. The girls were lucky to get out there during the morning while the snow was still on it and they were able to skate for a while.
The sign in the background says Danger Ice! I would think some wag put it out there before the break up of the ice and now it will have to remain
Scott swinging in the playground at the Lough
Kevin loves the swing also
This series of photos shows seagulls moving in and taking food which people have brought out to feed the ducks and swans
Seagulls circling in the background as someone to the right throws in some bread.
Seagulls diving in...
Swans look on bewildered as seagulls grab their food...
Up and away....
We left the Lough to see if there was still ice on the Lee fields, there were hundreds of people out enjoying this unexpected freeze up, they may as well get some enjoyment from it as water pipes are bursting and a lot of homes are now without water for the second time in a few weeks.
All sorts of items were pressed into service to glide on the ice, baby booster seats, milk crates even pieces of timber, young and old alike tried staying upright on the icy surface.
Kevin had a go..OK I'm upright...
Ooops...
Baby Jack stayed at home with his Mom and was toasty warm!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Scott looks like the cold does not bother him anyway! I am surprised someone was throwing bread to the swans as there are signs up saying not to since the outbreak of botulism that killed off a lot of them last year!
We are without water now and though i have heating i am sitting in my coat at the computer!
Kathleen
January 9, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Shaheen said…
Hi Peggy,
Its freezing cold in the West of Scotland too. It's nice to see people making the most of it.

My bird bath has frozen over many times over the past few days, that we have been making an extra effort to keep the birds watered.

I like your new header, I am thinking about changing mine too - esp as I no longer have plot 11.
January 9, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Unknown said…
It's really interesting, though sometimes alarming, to see the weird weather patterns in Europe and parts of the US. I hope you weather this (groan) without any adverse affects. We get this sort of weather all the time, of course, but it's still annoying to deal with, and I worry about those who aren't accustomed or equipped for it.
January 9, 2010 at 7:56 PM
D said…
Sorry about the freeze. Several weeks ago we had frigid temps in the PNW that lasted for weeks... most unusual for us. Now we have 45-50 degrees and will be happy to send some your way.
January 9, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Jo said…
Oh wow, Peggy. That looks cold. Is this the coldest weather you remember in the UK? Does the rain let up a little when it gets cold? I am in North Africa and already I have time to blog, visit other blogs, comment, read, write... (((Hugs))) Jo
January 10, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Peggy said…
Kathleen, there were not too many feeding them but I reckon the cold weather will kill off any lingering bugs!

Mangocheeks; you are getting it a lot worse then us, I have started paying attention to the Scottish weather forecast now!I am going to photograph the plot from the same angle every month and change the header pic.

Jodi, thanks for visiting I will pay a visit to your blog shortly.Where are those global warming gurus now when the whole northern hemisphere seems to be freezing!

Di, thanks for visiting and I will also pay your blog a visit. Those temperatures sound just about right, I htink I could live with them!

Hi Jo, I am glad to see you reached your destination safely. We usually do not get very cold weather in the South of Ireland maybe a few days in late jan or early Feb.The rain has stopped for the moment!
January 10, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Faux Stone Trough

Image
The word faux is a really nice word,somehow it does not seem to mean false, just a kind of copy! I had read about making these stone looking troughs or flower pots and again it was on my list of things to try.With my supply of donated flower pots I decided this was as good a time as any.The first pic is of the completed trough or tub filled with compost waiting on plants. I began with a plain white plastic tub, it does not have to be white it can be any colour.Glue ,I used PVA which was painted on thickly and left to get tacky and either sand or I used a mix of small stones and sand, sold in the builders suppliers as 'filling'. It is not a quick job to do as each side is pasted, shake on the sand thickly and press down to dry, I also did the opposite inside edge. I left it overnight each time but if it was sunny and warm it would probably dry faster.The first side drying, when it is dry shake off the excess leaving a thin covering. The final application and it is completed onl...
Read more

Tumbling Pots

Image
I have seen these tumbling pots in magazines and blogs from time to time, the latest being in KeeWees garden , having got a number of terracotta pots from one of my daughters who was clearing out her shed I decided to give it a go!They look stunning when the flowers have settled in, I had toyed with the idea of putting in strawberry plants which would also look great but having grandchildren around I don't think I would have a lot of strawberries from it! You need terracotta pots with one central drainage hole and in different sizes. First I had to go to B&Q to get the metal rod to support the pots, I also got the pansies there. Place the pot where you intend to leave it permanently as it cannot be moved easily once completed.Place the rod through the drainage hole and fill the pot with compost, it is easier to fill each pot as you go and firm down well. Slide the second pot onto the rod through the hole, this one will rest partly on the compost as well.Slide the remainder of t...
Read more

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival

Image
I am back from a few days in Co Clare.The matchmaking festival is in full swing for the month of Sept,as it is every year for generations.It has become a month long dance and music event also with dancing commencing at 12 o'clock every day in various venues and continuing around the town and outside until 3 am. It was my first visit and I had a ball!People come from all over the world and every county in Ireland was represented.A matchmaker is in residence in this famous pub (where else) and for a small fee will match anyone up for a week or for life! Couples come back every year who have met in Lisdoonvarna and since married! I did not avail of his services preferring the dancing !Lots of videos on Youtube, just type in Lisdoonvarna. The Burren is a few miles from Lisdoonvarna and is a protected area which is now a National Park, what looks at first sight to be barren rock has in fact rare species of plants growing in crevices.It is a breathtaking sight and no single photo could...
Read more