Just as he was ready to come inside to the warmth and sit a while, I asked if we could go out with the chain saws and cut the trees that had fallen on the electric fencing. He was not happy, but I'd not done it the week before because I'd promised I wouldn't go out in the ice and snow with a chain saw by myself, and it is only a matter of time until the cows realise the fencing is not on. I have never been so cold in my life. Had to go put warmer gloves on as my little leather work gloves just didn't protect me. Even my feet were icy inside my new insulated Much boots. My ass and legs were so cold and red that I couldn't feel them. But we got all the fallen trees cut off the fencing, fixed where it had been damaged, and when we flipped the switch, a row of green, yellow, orange and red lights lit up - perfect. Thank you sooo much, my love. He then helped me water the cows, I do the filling up of the buckets, drive over to the troughs, and he tips them over, repeat 4 or 5 times. When I go out later to re-fill them today, going to take the 2-step ladder with me as I can't jump down from the buggy with a sprained ankle, it's going to be slow going. The temps are expected to drop to -7 tonight and for a few nights to come, and that's excluding wind-chill. I look at photos on FB of sunny, warm South Africa and all I can think is they're mean to post that !!
The cows are either hunkered down around the bale feeder, or standing side-by-side, touching to conserve body warmth. No sunshine out there, just ice, snow and cold cold cold.
When DH fed the cats this morning, he put Bandits' portion on top of the fridge. By the time Bandit heard me in the kitchen and decided he wanted to be fed and called to me from the garage, the cat-food was frozen in the tin. I keep stuff in the fridge to keep it from freezing. It still amazes me that people live in these conditions. Me included. I'm not intending on going anywhere today. Am dreading having to go collect more eggs and do the cow water.
Just seen a Blue Jay flutter in the trees below the sheep yard. Now there are 2 in the apple tree, can spot the red of a Cardinal and there are some black and white birds too. Frozen apple anyone ? Rosco is lying under the one Maple tree at the bottom of the garden, curled up. Think the garage may be colder than outside, and Anni is inside with me, spoilt girl, although the house is 64 degrees. Rather cool, but already have a $350 gas and electric bill from last month, due to the water de-icers so layer on more clothes if you're cold Sweetie.