Frozen world

As we went along the prom we couldn’t help being struck first by the number of white horses as the tide rushed in to the Bay, whipped along by the wind. A turn along the road & another sight caught our eyes. The Lakeland fells have pulled around them a thick white blanket to keep them warm. Clearly it had snowed the other side of the Bay while it had rained here. We still remain free of snow here but for how much longer I’m not sure.

Instead here we just freeze. After taking potato peelings & sprout outer leaves to the compost bin, I thought I would just pull out a few extra mint roots – they’re taking over the raised horseshoe bed, strangling the lavender there. It was impossible. The ground is frozen solid. Maybe that’s why our gardener hasn’t been yet this week.

Today we’re hoping to have a sit in the new car & try to work out how some things work. We’re slowly getting there. Our biggest difficulty is remembering to put on or take off the handbrake. Paloma, our previous car, had no handbrake so, after 3 years, we’ve got used to being without. We also don’t need to put a key in the ignition with this one. It just needs the key fob to be a certain distance away, in pocket or handbag.

We’ve yet to work out the built-in navigation system, program it to recognise this address as home.

Some things we have worked out. We’ve got Classic FM on the radio, but no other staations yet. We've worked out the volume controls. Equally we’re getting the seating positions & mirrors right to suit us. The heating we’ve also sorted. Needless to say we’ve worked out the essentials – lights, wipers, demisters, indicators etc. There just seems to be so much to learn with a new car especially if you change marque. We’ll get there I’m sure.

I’m yet to be let loose on the driving. It’s more important that the Fox is confident & comfortable as he does the lion’s share of the driving. However, I am hoping to have a go next week some time.