A bright and sunny mid afternoon visit to Fly Flatts with clear blue skies on a cold NNW>3 at minus 1 degree. Fringes of the water and the lagoon frozen.
A chain of events played havoc with the routine today when an 0730 hrs start found the garage door frozen solid at minus 3 degrees. After 15 minutes struggling with the usual heavy breathing etc it would,nt budge.
After giving up all hopes of Fly Flatts I walked the dogs and then, in my infinite wisdom I got the hair dryer and heater up the lock. Unfortunately, the yale lock had plastic lever spacers which melted and finished the lock off altogether. The next hour was spent with drill and angle grinder blitzing the lock.
Mid afternoon and a couple of hour spare saw me back up to Fly Flatts to see if the Goldeneye was still on the water and hopefully a few Whoopers. This idea was soon dashed with canoes on the water so settled for a long walk along the west bank after a struggle opening the YW frozen padlock.
As always on an afternoon, it was very quiet with just a few Red Grouse, Mallard and Kestrel plus 12 Fieldfare over the moor.
The highlight was an Airbus A400 aircraft low over the water and banking right above me, an amazing sight to be able to see right in the cockpit as it passed. Thanks to Andrew Kitts for the I.D. when I thought it was an Hercules.
Another bright day promised for tomorrow at minus 1 which is 2 degrees warmer than this morning and at least it won,t matter if the garage lock is frozen as its in the bin.
BS