Boy is it cold. The sky is bright but the air has that shimmering refractive quality that tells you it's way below freezing. The PONs are supercharged. The frigid temperatures triggering deep DNA memories of herding sheep in Bydgocsz. Sophie finds a half eaten vole in a drainage ditch - presumably discarded by an absent minded owl. For her it's already shaping up to be the best day ever.
The couple with their special needs son push him slowly along the lane. Bob and Sophie are uncharacteristically calm with the boy. They sniff his wheelchair and Sophie licks his hand. Being excellent judges of character both treat him as a fellow friend in gladness. The PONs have 'issues' with some people, others they display an amazing gentleness with, others they reserve judgement on and maintain an aloof distance. The parents are delighted that the boy can meet two shaggy dogs. Maybe it's a sign of age but I'm left in awe by the simplicity of their devotion .
Back in Scotland it's also bright but even colder. 'The Font' goes to the little cafe on the corner with steamed up windows ( much frequented by tourists as the place where Kate and William met ) for coffee and the free WiFi. The carpets come from Sweden. Delivered by four affable young Vikings who efficiently shift furniture, unroll rugs , tidy up and take away the packaging. ' The Font' has decided to decorate the house in a Swedish style and let it out to an American university for post graduates with young children. Children are usually a red rag to a bull when it comes to letting but why shouldn't the parents enjoy a touch of comfort and style ? Angus is less sure of the practicalities ( and economics ) of this but knows better than to argue.
At sunset the view from the front door is bright and sunny. Shortly after sunset the heavy, heavy snow arrives : https://www.scotsman.com/news/do-not-travel-warns-minister-scotland-on-verge-of-risk-to-life-warning-upgrade-1-4697611
'The Font' is due back tomorrow but is under strict instructions not to drive to the airport if the weather is as bad as its forecast to be. Never schedule travel in February - there will be 'surprises'.
20 comments:
I am taking very careful notes today - my family will be visiting Scotland next summer so my son can visit the universities in Edinburgh and St. Andrews but must remember not to be deceived by the weather in August!
I am thinking the hordes of festival goers are more likely to be the 'challenge' in Edinburgh in August. Cheers, Gail in Aberdeen.
Lovely pictures from the Font in St Andrews. Hope all goes well with with finding a suitably respectful and appreciative tenant. Here in Aberdeen, the snow (but not much) arrived mid-morning. Bertie does not enjoy the cold as much as the PONs apparently do, despite his currently relatively unstripped furs. Cheers, Gail.
Bob and Sophie are charming gentle and understanding souls even if MLLE Sophie does have a penchant for dead things. Lovely photos from the Font: Thank you
The grapevine being what is there has been no shortage of possible tenants. A Texan university is already signed up ( sight unseen ).
Having stayed in a top U.S. hotel over a holiday weekend, and seen the ravages left by bored American children on the rampage, I hope that 'The Font' is not disillusioned by your tenants. Just as well you haven't gone for fitted carpets!
Half a dead vole before breakfast - a very good start to the day !
Good for Bob and Sophie for making somebody's day.
'A friend in gladness'. How clever and wonderful of the PONs to see it.
Hari OM
Always trust dogs when it comes to their opinion of people. As for the weather... when was it that folk first lost the ability to take the seasons as they come??? As you hint, February has almost always been the trickster month for the foulest part of winter... no news here, apart from the blizzard blowing outside the Hutch's window. YAM xx
weather is nothing like as bad as they would have us believe. Having said that, I've sent the Edinburgh staff home, given the forecast
Wishing Mme Font safe travels.
x
Dogs always know! :)
Trust the dogs' instincts. Let's hope post graduates with 'young children' don't have any to rival your village tykes.
At least we wouldn't hear them !
A skill set they've retained and humans have lost.
Edinburgh airport closed this morning. Against advice The Font st off this morning but got as far as the outskirts of town to find the roads blocked. The hotel has extended for 2 more nights although the hotel is suffering from a staff shortage due to the weather. 1 waitress for 100 bored snow out golfers.
Fife was impassable this morning although that may say more about the councils bad weather readiness than the actual weather.
Charming and gentle are words rarely put in the same sentence when describing Sophie !
Nothing like a couple of happy dogs to put a smile on a face.
You're probably right but looking after children when 4000 miles from home generates a lot of sympathy round here.
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