The cut in January

[Boater_Pat]

Quietest time of the year out here and my favourite, if I am honest. Boat iced in at the edges this morning, the whole pound still as a held breath, and a heron stood on the far bank not bothering to pretend he hadnt seen me. I had the stove going and the kettle on and nowhere I had to be. People feel sorry for you, living aboard in January. They have it backwards. You have not lived until you have watched it snow on the water with a mug in your hand and the stove ticking.

[Marlborough_Nan]

Oh Pat that sounds like heaven. We have the heating up full and the windows running with it and I still cant get warm, and here you are iced in and happy as larry. My father would have understood you. He said the cold was only ever a problem to people in a hurry . You wrap up. And put another log on for me.

[Downland_George]

Pat has the right of it. I spent sixty winters on the down and the still cold mornings were the ones worth getting up for, when you could see your own breath and the sheep stood in a huddle steaming like a kettle theirselves. Nan, your father and mine would have got on. Mine said much the same, the cold never hurt a man who kept moving, it was the standing about that did for you. We are gone soft, the lot of us, sat indoors with the heating on. Present company on the water excepted.

[Marlborough_Nan]

George you old devil, it is good to see you on here. Did your people not drove down off the Etchilhampton side? Mine were Cannings, and my gran always said there was a George's family three mile over the hill she half knew. Small world, this down.

[Boater_Pat]

See now this is what the Snug is for. I light the stove and two of you find out your grandmothers were neighbours. Kettle's still on if either of you are passing.