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Winter warmer

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We went over for a little trip this month which coincided with a week of sub-zero temperatures. This is good because it gave us the chance to run up the heating system, which really needs to be on when the temperature is that low. While we were there it also snowed and the whole place got the white treatment. The pond is covered in about 15cm thick ice, then same again in snow. Of course Inara was running all over it. I was brought up with warnings to keep off ice on ponds and, more recently, videos on Fb showing stranded animals being rescued from the ice. However, when I saw how thick it was I did venture out (but only where the depth is 1m or less! It is 2.5m in the middle). River iced over too except for a few fast moving bits. Just beautiful and the house was very cosy as well.
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Driving rain

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We made another little trip to Latvia last week, this time taking the car. I've had my car 11 years now and it has been all over Europe. Now it has 3 new countries under its belt. Poland, Lithuania and, of course, Latvia. Having had new wheel bearings and the timing belt changed just before we went, I was listening carefully for any unusual noises or odd behaviour, but I soon forgot about that as the old motor effortlessly chewed up the miles, just like it did when I first got it. The round trip was approximately 5000 km. It was tiring, but do-able over 2 long days, with an overnight near Warsaw on the way there and Berlin on the way back. I have found that a good nights sleep, an early start and a long day driving (repeat as required) is the best way to do these long trips. I'll leave driving all day and night to the youngsters. Anyway, with the car we managed to take some things (washing machine, king size bed, all my tools, etc.) and were able to spend our first night at
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Here is the layout of our place

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Mosquitoes and dead deer

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It was a bit of a baptism of fire when we first went to visit the new house. I got out of the car, enjoyed the sun and, by the time we left, had over 30 mosquito bites! Each bite was a 3cm diameter red blotch that itched and wept for a week. What I didn't realise is that most people get bitten, but it is the reaction that is the problem. Anyway, the first step for me is to reduce the number of bites. So far I have bought a tubey type neck scarf, which I have cut in half giving me wrist band, neck scarf and headband options. I also got a Craghoppers NOSIlife shirt from Blacks, some wristbands from ebay and repellent spray. On subsequent visits, with this lot on, I got virtually no bites. I noticed that for me, as soon as I start working, breathing heavily and getting warm, the mosquitoes will have a go, even with all my gear on. Someone said to me "You'll be fine once you are out here. Your body will get used to it!". I looked this up on google and it's true!
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