[Rosie] No time, sadly, unlike you lucky retired ones. Anyway, the wife has me scheduled for charity work this evening and over the weekend - again. Bugger! Anyway, she normally mows the lawns ;o). [Chalks] you have my sympathy, similarly afflicted over Xmas.

[Softers, Rosie] Quite. I'm in the office until 5 and have been since 08.30. I didn't even leave my desk at lunchtime. And if it's cold, the grass won't grow anymore anyway - it doesn't get out of bed for less that 10°C.
When I get home, I'm going to kick back and start weekending, thatnkyouverymuch.

I'm going on HOLIDAY soon! Well, to Britain, to my parents', but I'm looking forward to it. Thank God for congé de printemps - giving us a breather before the exam insanity begins.

We've got 0 degrees or lower forecast for 3 of the next 5 nights. I'm not exposing freshly-trimmed lawn to frosts if I can help it.

(pen) You're probably right but the problem is that by the time it's dry enough to cut (a week's time, say) it may well be looking a lot shaggier than just now. (Softers) I trust the phrase "the wife has me scheduled" is not entirely serious. (Phil) The forecasts almost certainly refer to the air temperature at screen level (1.25 metres) but the grass minima (as they are called) are always lower by an amount that depends on the wind speed so I reckon 4 out of 5 is more likely.

[pen] £7 a fortnight sounds good. Mine was £11 a week and there was enough fruit for ONE DAY.

I've just got a grass-cutting raincheck... unfortunately it also means I can't get the washing dry either. Never mind, it's just nice to be home for a weekend, for a change. And this morning, I am mostly drinking Civet Coffee, or Kopi Luwak, a present from Indonesia.

Chalky] how awful - hope you're recovering and being properly pampered. Are you able to take proper time off to recuperate?

The grass has disappeared under 4 inches of snow but is already reappearing where I've walked on it due to heat from the ground. There'll be a frost tonight, though.

We've had a beautiful day here in south Lincs - cold, but sunny all day. Light frost this morning, but no snow.

As I make dumpings today for the first time in my life, I can't help but feel that Atora has the suet market pretty much sewn up.

Two words that go together like "bunch" and "water".

[Rosie] All we had here was a bit of sleet :O).

(Softers) Today it's all gone except for a little bit of a snowman made by next door's kids.

[rab] I think Lactulose might be a good idea if you've just made dumpings for the first time in your life!

(Phil) I missed that. It would have given me an idea for There, there and everywhere but it's too late now. I will drop the matter.

[Rosie] I was surprised that you, Raak and Software hadn't spotted it (or had, but hadn't commented - that would have been more surprising).

Now I'm a press officer for a conservation charity, I don't think badgers are funny. They cause too many awkward questions from the press.

[pen] You weren't implicated in the jam-slapping scandal, were you?