Sploshy and Slushy

The predicted blizzard failed to turn up. But the strong winds caused snow to drift and according to the Environment Agency as the thaw begins to set in there is the danger of flooding. Fresh snow falls throughout the night had made for treacherous driving conditions as we made our way to work.

On my usual walk during lunch I spotted this huge snowman still standing proud. There were others in various deteriorating stages scattered in the Uni grounds. I guess the students were having a good time cos the Student Union organised a snowman competition. How cool was that. 

 

It was also National Chips Week. When I think of chips, it must be accompanied with deep-fried battered fish. We went to our favourite chippy and had it for dinner with baked beans (and chilli sauce for me). The portions are soo huge that it lasted us 2 days.

I spotted this little grebe bobbing up and down in the semi-frozen lake. It was so close to where I was standing and made a quick dive when it spotted me.

On Wed., I took the afternoon to work on my appraisal. I'm having my meeting with SH next week. But, instead of working on it, we went into the city centre. It was unbelievably buzzing. We browsed a few shops and left when it began to rain. As we were walking to where Benzy was parked, the heavens opened and we were pelted with hailstones. Ouch, that hurts.

Luckily, we left early. Around 4pm, there was another bomb drama. A huge section of the city centre was sealed off for two hours after demolition crews uncovered a foot-long shell case. I guess many more could be found as Coventry enters a new period of regeneration.

Yesterday was the annual day of amour. Babe was adamant that we don't get each other anything and just exchange cards. And he cheated. Trust him to surprise me with a pair of gold dragonfly earrings. Thanks Babe. Mwah...

The commercialisation of Valentine's Day is horrifying on one hand but on the other it’s good that this is now moving towards a celebration of love, rather than just about lovers and romance. Everyone could always do with a little more love.

We planned to go to Solihull for a meal but...the tv in the bedroom blew up. Huh...must be all the loving :-). So we drove round searching for a new tv and finally got one from Comet. We liked the one we saw in PC World but there was no one around. Usually we were hounded by them. Babe nearly changed his mind at Comet cos the sales assistant was a bit of a t--t. At least, the guy from the storeroom was sweet and polite.

Today we spent the morning at the laundrette. I did loads of washing and it started raining. I don't have a dryer and don't want the casa to smell of damp clothes. So off to the nearest laundrette and luckily not many people. Babe brought his laptop while I read a book to kill time.

For lunch, I'm experimenting with a post-Valentine recipe of New York strip steak with pommes dauphinoise and garlic mushroom. Garlic for Valentine ??? Recipe here  Bonn Appetit.

Hope you had a wonderful, happy, love filled Valentines weekend!