After almost two inches of rain, and no evaporation, no rain soaking into the frozen ground, we have slowly descended back into the bad cold. See this? All ice. Not polished like a skating rink but just as slidey. Like throwing buckets of water onto a frozen pond.
So I have attached my old crampons to my cold weather boots ( the flowers are not my fault that is all they had in my size) for the foreseeable future.
I did not get to wear these last year – at all. The winter was much milder last year.
Tia with her topknot is such a friendly cow but Del is still giving me the arse. She is healthy and happy but not friendly any more. She does not want scratches anymore.
Ah well. She is a cow and I should not pretend she is a person.
See the line of old straw across the icy lane? That is the beginning of my Mississippi Bridge. I hauled out damp bedding from the cow shed, (weirdly the moisture level in the air was very high) and laid it on the ice as it was freezing back down. Enough for me to step over safely though.
By the time I got to work on the other side the rain had all frozen solid. So the straw just skittered off like a hockey puck. And we have wind coming. But I got quite a few of the worst high traffic frozen puddles covered in wet straw. Under gates and doorways – I am hoping a little straw sticks around to give me some traction.
The wind in the forecast looks a bit scary.
Have a good one.
Celi
C
The Kitchen's Garden 
45 responses to “THE ICEMAN”
I feel for you! That’s exactly what our situation is going to be by tomorrow night, I am afraid. We are getting your 2” of rain today. My ice grippers are like yours, but they don’t always help much on a sea of ice. Ah well, I love your bedding passage over the ice, that is a great idea!
Morning! I also have my Swedish boots with spikes but I cannot wear them on my wooden porch! So these will suffice. But if it gets really bad I will wear the spikes and just take them off on the steps before crossing the porch. Better safe than sorry .
Yes, I was thinking the spikes would be a better option for awhile! And what a great idea, as RuitFarmNorth says, about the ice bridges! Smart!!! 🙂
Plus the spikes break up the ice a bit – helping with traction.
I suppose the damp straw is from condensation. Those ducks seem to be happy no matter what!
I don’t envy you with that ice rink.
Yes! I have had to add lots of dry straw yesterday. That damp straw gets cold
I bet and that’s no fun for them!
We are a few hours west and a bit north of you. We got just a bit of rain, maybe 1/16 of an inch–just enough to make the top of the snow crusty–and then the rest came as more snow. Looking at your pictures, I am quite greatful that our temperature dropped back down or we would have the same sheets of ice everywhere. And with the bitter cold we now have, ugh!
Stay safe!
Oh that is better – thank goodness.
I think I would find it hard to think of Aunty Del as a (just) a cow, though I know you have written more than once that you do try to think like a cow. I suppose they might like anyone else get fed up or hold cow grudges or just mooove on…..(sorry).
Your weather is horrid! We have snow here at the moment, but drizzle today, but thankfully it’s not freezing yet, it will tonight though, but no where near as bad as you! Keep safe on that ice.
Lots of snow today then bitter cold with wind coming tonight-but no ice like you. Stay safe – those crampons help but you can still fall.
I would tel you what our weather is expected to do today, but that is getting old. I still never experience severe weather.
Come on over Tony! Bring the family! You can experience some cold weather here!
I would like to, and I intend to return to Oklahoma eventually. I just am not getting around too well right now.
That is a fearsome looking ice driveway you have. I like the flower boots and hope they keep you upright.
I see nothing wrong with floral boots; you are a Lady Farmer 🙂 Your comment about the spiked boots made me think about how eventing horses have shoes into which you can screw studs, to give them traction in the mud. I bet they’d work on the ice too. Stay safely upright, Miss C, and the same to all your creatures.
So do rugby players!
oh dear….step carefully…sometimes old nylon stockings pulled over work shoes can keep one slip free….
Oh my. That wind is going to make it awful bitter cold.
Plus the bumpy ice.
gaaah.
You have all my sympathy. I hope everyone stays upright.
The wind is the worst of it for sure
I like your cheerful floral boots. I am surprised the ducks didn’t claim your straw bridge. Take care. Laura
For a second I thought maybe what you need are ski poles but then I realized you are working and need your hands at all times!
All that ice is frightening. The crampons sound like a great idea. Be careful.
It became very muddy here with the thawing of the 8″ snow. Then, it all froze up and rained. Like with you, it couldn’t soak in. Driving the tractor and walking in frozen ruts can be a little rough. But, we’ll get through it as always.
Yes! You are right – we will get through! the good thing about weather is that it will Always change. Keeps us on our toes . Of course when it gets really cold my tractor won’t even start.