It's the middle of February and my boiler has broken down! This is the second time that a boiler of mine has broken down in February. Why not July or August?? So, it's freezing in my house, which is large, seriously unlagged and totally devoid of curtains or blinds. This is an old house which we've been 'doing up' forever, and so many things are still unfinished. It's also half-term, so all the children are at home too...! I'm not sure if I'm more distressed by the lack of heating or hot water. It was minus 3 last night, so I went to bed with socks on.
Now, I'm interested to know when I became such a wimp about a bit of cold? As a child growing up in the north of the UK, the weather was often ferocious in the winter. In the 1960's we had no central heating, just open fires, only two of them, no bathroom or constant hot water and an outside toilet! I don't ever remember being unduly distressed by this, I don't even remember being particularly cold. So how is that?
What I remember is a wonderful roaring fire started by my Father very early in the morning, and Jack Frost! I think it's quite sad that my children have never encountered Jack Frost and the incredible beauty of his mark making on our windows.
As a child I was fascinated and intrigued by these wonderful patterns and the stories of the elf, Jack Frost. Of course we don't have this any more because we have such warm houses. The fact that Jack Frost appeared on the inside of the window panes was the most exciting thing.
For those who don't know, these wonderful patterns appear when it is below freezing outside, but there is some moisture in the cold air inside, then the beautiful crystals appear. Like snowflakes the myriad patterns are all unique.
I think I secretly hoped that when I awoke this morning, I'd be greeted by a childhood memory. Sadly, not - our houses are just too warm and dry, even when the boiler hasn't worked for 24 hours. I wonder how long it would take, maybe just a few days?
So, my children still haven't experienced the wonder of Jack Frost...
