We’re in the grip of a really cold snap – it’s forecast for –4º C tonight apparently, according to my friend and local guru, Christine, although I can’t see that on the Met Office site – we’ll see who is right in the morning!

Mind you, the forecast seems to be changing all the time – this morning, they said –6º C on Saturday night, now it’s up to –1º C. I am demented with worry about seedlings and plants so I hope they keep going upwards and I hope that all of my ‘stuff’ remains in good health. It’s all looking a treat so far.

When we got up, the snow was swirling around and although not deep, it was certainly laying, though I’m pleased to report that a sunny day has put paid to that!

The mine buildings looked so good in the snow that I decided a shot was in order and to be honest, they are the most photogenic sight I’ve seen all day, dogs, hens and DM excepted!

We watched a fairly depressing film on Sunday night about the so-called sexual freedom of the 1970s and ‘key parties’. I can’t remember its name, I’m afraid….but that says something about how big an impression it made on me. It was very gloomy indeed but the most memorable thing about it was the cold. It was set in an ice storm and the depiction of that made us realise that we are in fact, pretty lucky to get relatively temperate weather here on the whole.

Still, I’ll be looking forward to beyond winter’s ‘last gasp’ and hoping for better weather soon.

last year, I photographed a key that we never did fond out its use!