Freezing Fog

We have discovered that the icy mist and frost engulfing our county has a name - "freezing fog". It is also responsible for the misery of tens of thousands of poms who were attmpting to leave the country for Christmas, as most flights have been cancelled. In Hulland, however, it is very pretty - almost like snow, and it makes the ground hard enough to walk on (rather than sink into mud).

Our little frosty cottage is pictured, as well as our living room view of cold sheep, for those of you keen to see where we are!

I am embracing my new Aga oven with a passion. It is amazing - and very simple. It is on constantly, day and night, which keeps the kitchen very cosy, and has two large hobs covered by heavy lids. Lift one for boiling, the other for simmering (so you transfer your pot from one to the other when you want to reduce the cooking heat). It has too ovens, one for hot roasting and grilling, the other for slow roasting. I am tempted to cook our Christmas turkey in it, although Jason is a little nervous about cooking times and resulting salmonella. I shall go online for advice!

So far we have been using it for most cooking with great results, even though we have a conventional electric oven. It is so easy when you don't have to wait for it to heat up! It also has a great rail for drying clothes on too...

I braved Derby's Westfield shopping centre this morning for a final Christmas shop, and stocked up on our Christmas Lunch essentials at M&S. It was very, very busy, and I was glad to get out of there, back to the calm tranquility of our country retreat.

Poor Dylan is slowly recovering from his tummy bug. he has been completely miserable and has slept most of the past 36 hours (which is extrenely unusual, as you know!). Now, of course, he is not tired, and is doing a giant jigsaw puzzle of Australia on the table with me, as we snuggle up by the Aga.

It is the definitive image of a winter evening in country England...