View Full Version : Crap weather for January 2026
Happy New Year everyone.
Well the New Year has started cold (5C at the moment), but dry with hazy sunshine. At 7:00 this morning we were greeted with an amazingly beautiful sky, something which I don't think I have ever seen before: bands, or stripes of pink sky alternating with bands of blue wispy-looking cirrus cloud. :)
How has the day started for you?
Cold, sun tried to come out and failed but has been quite bright at least. Now looking like it might snow.
hifi_dave
01-01-2026, 15:07
It's clouded over the past hour but before that it's been clear and bright. Flippin' cold though. Tomorrow predicted to be even colder.
Sleet here now. The poor man's snow.
Sunny, blue skies but only 2C.
Just been out, some patches of ice on the ground for the first time since last January.
The sun is lovely though, even if it is barely above the horizon at midday.
rmcin626
02-01-2026, 12:36
Nice clear day, 4c but feels colder
Similar here, clear and sunny but freezing cold - getting down to -5C overnight Sunday/Monday.
We have snow on the menu here, Sunday afternoon.
-2C (but feels like -7C), with a clear sky. Not expected to reach more than +2C today.
Same here. Still showing snow for tomorrow too.
hifi_dave
03-01-2026, 09:41
Same here. Lovely bright Sun. Always cheers me up..:smoking:
rmcin626
03-01-2026, 10:10
Nice clear day, but cold 0c
Come to Norwich with daughter shopping - about 2” of snow that wasn’t forecast! Horrible to drive in, hoping the roads clear for the journey back.
Minus 1C right now. Results are in for last night and it was down at minus four.
Fed up with it already and it doesn't get better until Thursday and even then it isn't much improvement.
Come to Norwich with daughter shopping - about 2” of snow that wasn’t forecast! Horrible to drive in, hoping the roads clear for the journey back.
I doubt it, more like it will go to black ice. The worst kind of ice. You've got more snow forecast from 1700 on as well.
What's needed is some sort of pill or injection that knocks you out for a few days. Just get in bed, get warm and take it. Then when you wake up it's all over.
Save a fortune on the heating.
Obviously no use for anyone who has to go to work but that's hardly anyone these days.
Well we got home ok, but it is chuffing freezing! Apparently -2C.
still showing the snow for tomorrow here. 6 hours of it.
still showing the snow for tomorrow here. 6 hours of it.
You may need to put the heating on Martin?:)
Got the 2KW on right now so it's a balmy 14C.
That was just to warm up after being in the kitchen which is 5C.
Was looking back at last Jan weather thread. It was freezing cold this time last year too. At least I don't have to get up at 0630 and walk two miles anymore.
Pigmy Pony
03-01-2026, 22:32
Got the 2KW on right now so it's a balmy 14C.
That was just to warm up after being in the kitchen which is 5C.
Was looking back at last Jan weather thread. It was freezing cold this time last year too. At least I don't have to get up at 0630 and walk two miles anymore.
But then your 2 mile walk was followed by a few hours of comfortable warmth at someone else's expense. Could you not get a couple of storage heaters put in? They're probably more efficient than in the olden days, especially if they heat up on Economy 7 tariff. If such a thing still exists.
Economy 7 I think went the way of Watney's Red Barrel and The Age Of The Train.
Economy 7 I think went the way of Watney's Red Barrel and The Age Of The Train.
:lol:
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Pigmy Pony
04-01-2026, 08:19
Economy 7 I think went the way of Watney's Red Barrel and The Age Of The Train.
No, I've just checked and Economy 7 still exists, and there are other similar tariffs available. There is even an advert for smart meters with Albert Einstein and Angela Rippon who suggest this option. Though since my mate observed Einstein's implied use of that biscuit on poor unsuspecting Angela means I can no longer see the ad for what it is :eek:
https://youtu.be/AK1vdgdJe8E?t=3
Meantime temp here is currently a windless cloudless -3C. But another day closer to summer.
Same here: -3C and sunny.
And here but it's zero. Should also be snowing per the forecast but there's no clouds in the sky so that's clearly hampering it a bit.
rmcin626
04-01-2026, 11:53
Another dry clear cold day , 0c
Pigmy Pony
04-01-2026, 12:37
Some heavy clouds now, so we might be on for some snow. Won't be much though.
Snow event has been put back to 1400 now.
There's a few clouds appeared but they're the white fluffy ones, not the dirty brown of snow clouds.
Been out and got provisions so can withstand being sieged by the weather - if it happens.
Lots of poxy students around, they must be back from their holidays.
Pigmy Pony
04-01-2026, 14:03
Just had a call from someone in Wigan (about 15 miles south of us), where it's snowing really heavily. I think we may be just outside of the northernmost edge of it. Not looking good for the Stoke riviera though.
Pigmy Pony
04-01-2026, 14:11
I spoke too soon, snowing now. Lots of it.
Just had a call from someone in Wigan (about 15 miles south of us), where it's snowing really heavily. I think we may be just outside of the northernmost edge of it. Not looking good for the Stoke riviera though.
Just in the last half hour we've gone from clear blue sky to total occlusion so I think it can't be far off starting. 7 hours of it is forecast.
Brightened up again and some blue sky was back - and then minutes later, it's snowing!
It's sticking right from the off. Big flakes too.
-2C and overcast. It snowed overnight, which I wasn't expecting.
Foolishly I left the car outside last night, so it is now covered in snow. Have to drive into town today, so the car will need defrosting and the windows cleared before we go anywhere.
-5 here, looks like about 4 inches of snow on the ground. Not even going to get to zero today according to the forecast.
10.1C in my living room when I got up. Surprised it was that warm really.
rmcin626
05-01-2026, 09:18
After a frosty night, no snow but -1c
Pete The Cat
05-01-2026, 09:27
A thin powdering of snow everywhere. Currently -2.
Have knocked a hole in the ice in the pond in case the frog wants to surface.
Snow here too, about 2” that wasn’t forecast, currently -2C may get to 1C this afternoon. Dog loved his walk but hoping he hasn’t got frostbite!
hifi_dave
05-01-2026, 09:59
2 inches of snow here. Looks beautiful but causes chaos and with my current state of health will force me to stay indoors.
https://i.postimg.cc/d3fvdQKK/20260105-102015.jpg (https://postimg.cc/CnbWpg1v)
Went to get the milk in, the bottle was frozen to the step! Milk inside was not frozen though so I can have my 'Fruit n Fibre'.
https://i.postimg.cc/d3fvdQKK/20260105-102015.jpg (https://postimg.cc/CnbWpg1v)
Looks similar here. Roads are clear, and it didn't take me too long to clear the car of ice and snow.
23.5C indoors here, so now I'm back home I won't be out driving any more today.
Was going to have a shower but there's ice on the inside of the bathroom window (yes it is double glazed) so think I'll pass on that until tomorrow.
Sun is blazing now, the sky is cyan blue.
It was -8C here last night according to the Met Office.
BBC say it will be -6C here tonight. Looks to get a bit “warmer” for the next couple of weeks but still very much winter!
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-5 here right now. Warmest it got today was -2.
Should be a bit warmer tomorrow but it's 3C max for the next week.
-3C here at the moment. Not expected to fall below -4C overnight.
-4C (but feels like -8C). Clear sky, but some rain expected tonight.
-1C here, supposed to reach the dizzy heights of 4 later, then rain.
Running out of tea so might have to venture out later.
Up to 1C now. Snow is resolutely staying put. Still cold but it's 5C warmer than yesterday so there's that.
Hopefully the rain that's due in a while will wash it away.
14 hours of continuous rain is scheduled. Starting at 1600.
-2C at the moment, with occasional flurries of snow and rain.
went out to get a packet of tea and it started spitting on the way back but don't know if it still is.
Radar does show a lot of rain coming in from the west and we're right in its path.
hifi_dave
06-01-2026, 16:06
Doesn't feel it but must be just above freezing because the field we look out over is now free of snow. Strangely our back lawn is still covered with snow.
The weather forecast for the next few days was a bit confusing this morning but it didn't look promising.
Here in N London we have an ambiguous blancmange of frost and snow. I wish it would make up its mind.
Still waiting to use the air conditioning installed in August.
When I dropped daughter to school this morning at 8.30 the temperature gauge in the car said -7.5C - I don’t think I have ever seen it that low.
Heavy snow forecast soon but should turn into sleet and rain through the night so hopefully no mammoth snow clearing task tomorrow…
+2C at the moment. Expected to reach 5C later. "Mixed precipitation possible" mid-morning.
rmcin626
07-01-2026, 08:33
A cloudy morning after a very wet and cold yesterday, 2c at the moment.
2C and raining but forecast says 5C and sunny for later,
Streets are full of slush.
Stopped raining, and the sun has come out, sort of. 3C.
Dry and intermittent sun, still chilly at 4C but nothing like as bad as recent days. Sleet forecast at the weekend, but hopefully no more snow for a while.
Sleet tomorrow for us too - lovely!
They given a snow warning too just to cover themselves.
Our polished granite patio is an ice rink. My wife laid out towels so she can cross it inelegantly but safely to get to her clinic. I tried some dishwasher salt, then hot water and a squeegee. Seasonal issues.
Dull, 3C. Several hours of sleet forecast for this afternoon.
On the plus side next Monday we're back up to 9C! Put the Yucca plant out on the patio and you can pretend you're in Barbados!
Dull, 3C. Several hours of sleet forecast for this afternoon.
On the plus side next Monday we're back up to 9C! Put the Yucca plant out on the patio and you can pretend you're in Barbados!
Pretty much the same here, except we get heavy rain today, and 10C for Monday, a dizzy 11C Tuesday - positively tropical! But then it looks like rain upon rain, but nothing too heavy and no frost for the following 10 days or so.
I'll take rain over freezing cold anytime. Rain's only an issue if you're outside.
Only a few patches of slush left now. Went round the Sainsburys, they still haven't got their self service terminals fixed. It's not too bad out there when the wind isn't blowing.
It's been dry here today and a balmy 5C, but now it's raining and expected to continue raining until 22:45.
Popped out this morning to top-up the car's water level with a little more anti-freeze, but otherwise stayed indoors playing tunes. :)
rmcin626
09-01-2026, 12:22
2c and dry so far, no snow here
2C and nothing special happening.
Several roads impassable due to flooding, and now our road is closed due to an HGV tanker going onto its side. Only light rain at the moment, so hopefully the flooding won’t get any worse. 3C.
Pigmy Pony
09-01-2026, 14:19
No sun, no rain, no wind, not particularly cold. Nothing to see here.
Only one more day of crappy cold to go then back to normal temperatures. Okay, so we also get gale force winds, but I can live with that.
hifi_dave
09-01-2026, 15:36
No sign of the big storm yesterday or today, just rain, rain and more rain. No wind to speak of.
No sign of the big storm yesterday or today, just rain, rain and more rain. No wind to speak of.
Not here either despite the local paper running a dozen articles about it. We were going to have 'The worst snow in ten years' - not that would be saying much.
Another headline describes the storm as 'Smashing through Staffordshire'.
As it turned out it's been an entirely unremarkable two days.
1C and cloudy. A dark, dank and dismal start to the day.
Clear sky here, but sun not really up yet.
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 10:45
Sunny but feels really cold. Lots of frost and ice. Just been watching a couple of wood pigeons enjoying a bit of rumpy pumpy on next door's roof against a backdrop of pure blue sky. I'm kidding myself that it's a sign of spring approaching, but anyway it beats watching Saturday Kitchen Live.
Sunny but feels really cold. Lots of frost and ice. Just been watching a couple of wood pigeons enjoying a bit of rumpy pumpy on next door's roof against a backdrop of pure blue sky. I'm kidding myself that it's a sign of spring approaching, but anyway it beats watching Saturday Kitchen Live.
Streaming services seem to have bought everything except the crappy cookery shows. Why can't they be confined to their own channel, the 'Cookery Ghetto'?
Then they could put cartoons on instead which used to be what Saturday morning TV was all about. And I mean proper cartoons not the modern rubbish.
And as in the old days at 1200 they can put on 'Farming Today' to force the children to go and do something more productive for a couple of hours, before they come back for the wrestling at 1500.
Dickie Davies Eyes.
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 11:21
Ah, Dickie "Mallen" Davies, with his trademark grey tuft...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/sport/2023/02/19/TELEMMGLPICT000003592385_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqHqEqWIQ YN_HlsJ_HcWHEJKkIgbqFjtqE7VzX64Vv544.jpeg?imwidth= 1920
Dickie
https://64.media.tumblr.com/22981209635a5f159e292719b4fbbb13/tumblr_p7v4duWYVZ1uxlp4vo1_1280.jpg
A real Mallen
My great grandma used to call round at my grandma's house every Saturday to watch the wrestling as she didn't own a telly. Her heroes were Jackie Pallo and Mick McManus. She was deaf as a post so couldn't hear how loudly she was shouting at the telly.
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 11:32
Dickie Davies Eyes.
Are you a man, or half biscuit? :)
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 11:44
Macca, did you know Kendo Nagasaki (real name Peter Thornley) lives in Stoke somewhere, and though he's now 84, he's reportedly keen to pass on his tricks of the trade. In case you're interested :)
Macca, did you know Kendo Nagasaki (real name Peter Thornley) lives in Stoke somewhere, and though he's now 84, he's reportedly keen to pass on his tricks of the trade. In case you're interested :)
He lives in Cheadle I think, it's a fair distance from me.
Are you a man, or half biscuit? :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4-W7rMYikY&list=RDr4-W7rMYikY&start_radio=1
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 12:32
He lives in Cheadle I think, it's a fair distance from me.
That's a shame. And by the time you qualify for a bus pass, his offer may have expired. A bit nearer to home you might have Eddie Hall, the only problem being (a) he's not a professional wrestler, and (b) he comes over as a grade a dickhead.
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2026, 12:37
Sunny out there, and the ice is melting. I might just go out for a walk. Yes you heard me, a walk :) I'll have you know I did best part of a mile last week, broken up into four quarter mile segments. I need to build on those modest achievements.
That's a shame. And by the time you qualify for a bus pass, his offer may have expired. A bit nearer to home you might have Eddie Hall, the only problem being (a) he's not a professional wrestler, and (b) he comes over as a grade a dickhead.
Met him many years ago, used to work with his girlfriend. He seemed alright but he wasn't that famous then.
Weather-wise we're now into the last 24 hours of it being stupidly cold. Almost three weeks this has gone on for now.
rmcin626
10-01-2026, 13:06
A very grey 3c so far
Remaining overcast with no sign of the sun breaking through. And at 3C it still feels cold. :(
hifi_dave
10-01-2026, 15:03
Cold and grey, now getting dark. Depressing.
Just been watching a couple of wood pigeons enjoying a bit of rumpy pumpy on next door's roof
Pervert. (Did you record it?) :eyebrows:
Been a lovely cold but sunny day here in the East. Woke up to a dusting of (not predicted) snow but all gone now. Could get to -5C overnight, but then that's the last of the snow and ice for a while.
Raining heavily, set to continue all day. 2C, still waiting for the predicted rapid rise in temperature.
Just had a 2 hour walk, very bleak, 4C and lots of frozen puddles to amuse the dog. 40+ MPH winds forecast for this evening.
hifi_dave
11-01-2026, 15:42
It's been another depressing grey and cold day, now it's beginning to rain and the Sun is setting..:brickwall:
Just had a 2 hour walk, very bleak, 4C and lots of frozen puddles to amuse the dog. 40+ MPH winds forecast for this evening.
I often see dogs whose owners have thoughtfully put a blanket around the dog, fastened with a strap under the belly. But today I saw a dog wearing a one-piece woolly body warmer. It had six holes: one for the head and neck; another for the rear end, and one for each of the legs, stopping just short of the paws. Goodness knows how its owner fitted such a garment on the dog!
rmcin626
12-01-2026, 09:14
After a very wet night, 7c and dry at the moment
8C and dull. Going to rain in a bit.
10C cloudy and dull. Rained last night, and more rain expected around midday.
hifi_dave
12-01-2026, 15:37
Just grey all day but not so cold. Sun appeared around 1430 but now setting.
7C and drizzle. Went for my 'full fat' walk even so. No wind so it's not that unpleasant but it's really murky out there.
Tomorrow supposed to be sunny but colder.
Pigmy Pony
13-01-2026, 13:32
Sun made a brief appearance, but back to rain again. Not cold though.
So dark here really need the lights on.
Still, we are nearly half way through the seemingly endless month of January.
Yes - the lights are on here as well.
I put the telly on instead :)
It's brightened up a little now anyway, must have been an especially thick cloud going over.
hifi_dave
13-01-2026, 15:38
Lights on since I got up. Rain all day, light to heavy a truly depressing day.
Lights on since I got up. Rain all day, light to heavy a truly depressing day.
More or less the same here. :(
Anything worth watching?
'Air Crash Investigation.'
Yep, same here, a dirty dirge of a day, but at least it's not cold.
Took the Land Rover out for a spin at lunchtime to top up the battery before the man comes to update the Tracker on Friday. Passenger side windscreen wiper fell off - luckily got tangled in the arm so I didn't lose it completely.
My windscreen wiper blade fell of as I was de-icing the windscreen a few days ago. I had the engine on to help the process, but my Audi is too intelligent for its own good - if it senses rain in the air the wipers will do a sweep or two. It did such, hitting my hand and causing the rubber blade to become detached from the arm. I could not see how to refit the blade, even after consulting the handbook.
So I had to go to my local garage in the rain, without the wipers on for fear of scratching the windscreen. It turned out that the fitting where the blade attaches to the arm had broken. Fortunately they keep spares, and the wipers were soon working perfectly. And all at no cost to me!
My windscreen wiper blade fell of as I was de-icing the windscreen a few days ago. I had the engine on to help the process, but my Audi is too intelligent for its own good - if it senses rain in the air the wipers will do a sweep or two. It did such, hitting my hand and causing the rubber blade to become detached from the arm. I could not see how to refit the blade, even after consulting the handbook.
So I had to go to my local garage in the rain, without the wipers on for fear of scratching the windscreen. It turned out that the fitting where the blade attaches to the arm had broken. Fortunately they keep spares, and the wipers were soon working perfectly. And all at no cost to me!
Similar thing happened on Sue's Nissan (awful thing). I started the car and the blade was frozen to the screen but she had left the wipers in the on position before. The arm detached itself from the blade, unfortunately no such obliging garage for me and I patched it up before ordering new ones from eBay!
1C - cold start, some frost on the cars and the rooves.
hifi_dave
14-01-2026, 10:23
This is more like it - wall to wall sunshine but flipping' cold. No lights on today..:carrot:
rmcin626
14-01-2026, 10:34
A grey 5c this morning
4C with brilliant sunshine.
hifi_dave
14-01-2026, 11:56
Sitting in the garden with my shades on..:smoking:
Some weak sunshine here. Not garden weather though. It's barely indoors weather.
Pigmy Pony
14-01-2026, 14:44
4C outside, but light breeze making it feel nearer 0C.
4C outside, but light breeze making it feel nearer 0C.
That light breeze is a stiff wind here. Went round to Sainsbury and it feels much colder than yesterday I think mainly because of that.
Ran into the cat that lives down the street and he complained bitterly to me about the cold. Or he might just be hungry since he complains to me in the summer too.
hifi_dave
14-01-2026, 15:26
Just had 1.5 hours working in the garden and it was really nice. Good to get out in the sunshine without being bundled up with coats and scarves. Collected two large rubbish bins with weeds and grass. Where does it come from ?
hifi_dave
14-01-2026, 15:28
That light breeze is a stiff wind here. Went round to Sainsbury and it feels much colder than yesterday I think mainly because of that.
Ran into the cat that lives down the street and he complained bitterly to me about the cold. Or he might just be hungry since he complains to me in the summer too.
You didn't actually "run into the cat" ? You just had a chat with him.
You didn't actually "run into the cat" ? You just had a chat with him.
Yes I was on foot (as was he ;) ). The Sainsbury is literally just round the corner.
misty here, 5C. Rain expected.
Dull and damp, rain expected imminently, 8C.
went for a walk despite it being dismal. Technically it's foggy rather than misty as visibility is less than a mile.
Up on the hill it's down to about a hundred yards.
Tomorrow to be warmer and sunny, supposedly.
8C, dull, overcast and mizzling with rain. Poxy weather!
8C, dull, overcast and mizzling with rain. Poxy weather!
Could be a lot worse given the time of year.
We're getting there, half way through January now and it's not dark until 1640 even on the dull days. 6 more weeks and it's spring.
The 'mizzle' has turned into 'peeing with rain'. :doh:
hifi_dave
15-01-2026, 14:50
Could be a lot worse given the time of year.
We're getting there, half way through January now and it's not dark until 1640 even on the dull days. 6 more weeks and it's spring.
It could be a lot worse but it's pretty naff. It's a lights on day with rain all last night and it's still going.
Pigmy Pony
15-01-2026, 15:04
Been a grey day, but at least it hasn't rained here. Which is nice as today was my first day working since the week before Christmas.
7C, blue sky with some fluffy cumulus cloud. Expected to rain around midday. :doh:
Similar here, though no rain in the forecast - no one told the ominous dark grey clouds in the distance, though.
was sunny here for about an hour earlier.
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2026, 13:40
Wet start, then sunny and not too cold.
Lovely and bright now, just in time to start getting dark. Still, slowly getting better, we're over half way though January now it's the 42nd of the month.
hifi_dave
16-01-2026, 15:25
Nice n sunny but cold. Managed 2 hours working in the garden which must do me good but I can't feel my fingers now. Time for a shower.
Well the rain didn't materialise, so not a bad day at all.
Supposed to rain here overnight but tomorrow forecast to be sunny and 8C.
rmcin626
17-01-2026, 12:31
A grey 4c today, rain due
Bright here but wouldn't stretch it to say it was sunny. 7C.
Quite a nice day here in N London. Mustn't grumble.
Bits of blue sky poking through the clouds and very occasional drop of sunshine - mild too, 9C.
Drizzle here that went on for hours, crap weather can't even be bothered to rain properly.
No sign of the sun at all, it's never got properly light today and now it's getting dark again.
6C but no wind so not bitter outside.
Tuesday looks good - sunny, dry, 9C, not much wind.
Can't believe we still have almost another two weeks of January to do. Christmas seems like months ago.
Pigmy Pony
18-01-2026, 20:13
Tomorrow is "Blue Monday", supposedly the saddest day of the year. I'm not expecting it to be any worse than the year so far. After that, onwards and upwards :)
rmcin626
19-01-2026, 10:35
Dry and clear 4c so far today
Dull, as was predicted. 6C. Supposed to get up to 9 later.
hifi_dave
19-01-2026, 16:17
Not too cold but dark and dismal all day.
Clear sky mostly just a bit of haze. Might get some sunshine in a bit.
Well it’s chucking it down here in Lowestoft, the UK’s most Easterly town. 8C, and set to brighten up. Hopefully.
Pigmy Pony
20-01-2026, 13:36
Sunny here but with a chilly wind.
went for my usual walk, not too cold but very windy - although that just helped blow the cobwebs away really.
Looks like another cold spell starting on Sunday though.
hifi_dave
20-01-2026, 16:14
Some cloud, some Sun but a very cold wind.
rmcin626
21-01-2026, 10:19
5c and clear this morning
Dull and raining. 6C but it is warming up.
Wet, wet, wet.
Planning on sorting out the tool shed this weekend. Not looking promising.
Wet, wet, wet.
Planning on sorting out the tool shed this weekend. Not looking promising.
I got numerous jobs need doing but I'll wait for spring. Cold weather effectively paralyses me.
went round to the Sainsbury. Horrendous weather, heavy rain and a strong, cold wind. The rain is horizontal, ensuring a good soaking just with a couple of minutes of exposure. Not going out in that again so no exercise today.
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2026, 13:24
went round to the Sainsbury. Horrendous weather, heavy rain and a strong, cold wind. The rain is horizontal, ensuring a good soaking just with a couple of minutes of exposure. Not going out in that again so no exercise today.
Same here. Just got back from town. Been round some of the posh shops where the discerning shoppers go (Poundland, B&M Bargains, Peacocks), then over to the Costa for a brew. Sat indoors, which we never do.
The Poundland here closed down. I think it was just too upmarket to survive in this area.
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2026, 13:36
Probably due to shoplifters. In these times of austerity, international jewel thieves have had to lower their standards. They did have facial recognition in our Chorley branch, but it kept breaking down due to the faces not being recognised as human.
Probably due to shoplifters. In these times of austerity, international jewel thieves have had to lower their standards.
Yes. Our street-corner 'Five lighters for a pound' bloke is a former international jewel thief.
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2026, 16:22
Yes. Our street-corner 'Five lighters for a pound' bloke is a former international jewel thief.
'Five lighters for a pound' sounds like a good deal. Must be counterfeit. Having said that, the wind proof lighter you gave me last year is still going strong :)
'Five lighters for a pound' sounds like a good deal. Must be counterfeit. Having said that, the wind proof lighter you gave me last year is still going strong :)
Good lighters those, I'm still using them. They're ten bob each but my exhaustive testing indicates that two of them will last longer than the five cheaper ones.
hifi_dave
21-01-2026, 16:54
Dark and wet all day. Next week supposed to go down to 4c.
Pigmy Pony
22-01-2026, 11:50
Bought a couple of room thermometers from the Amazon yesterday, for Anita's lad to have in his new (to him) house. I just had to try it out before he takes them away. Placed side-by-side, one is reading 18.8C, the other 18.7C. Both show 46% humidity. So I'd say they're pretty accurate. Or equally inaccurate.
They're pretty tiny, not much bigger than a match box, but then how big do they need to be? Only 6 quid each, so I might get another for us.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ThermoPro-Hygrometer-Thermometer-Temperature-Greenhouse/dp/B09VC5PKN5/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2RTFUBKBFVR3M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vBLMzheulzTucOOj5bKzt007NXO1NTHWe _BW_kclCzqGVRT4zKqH7NhTiNTS9fGujqxgX2j-SGgUGlBnYicA7rJN4DpQC9-bAXXRMu43BN7oUp0fKtewikhqmdbQvYVT2kRa4gmOU17CAWPb_ HB6d3BevGYifZ_Snwobe2fyvmoRXmx7i6USLEmo5af_QbNhFIM H9I0AiTk9YpHc_x6FPcOVsJJqb5ZVPpqvOiPVh0_rQ2pgVW1aK x4PfsgZmy7ts_UYRqyYBOQz1W8ovimOGSEK0OkG7jPvJhcGE4q 2DvA.1z670UVJlXeqAn-0yekEEo80JxGot3H_LlPXm3r3vac&dib_tag=se&keywords=thermometer+room+temperature&qid=1769082598&sprefix=thermometer%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-9
I show 15.2C and 62% humidity so you're both warmer and drier.
Pigmy Pony
22-01-2026, 13:13
Humidity's gone up 1%. Must be my big sweaty body. Still drier than outside, where the rain hasn't let up since last night.
hifi_dave
22-01-2026, 16:20
Rained all yesterday, last night and all day so far. Very depressing. Does my SAD no good at all.
I show 15.2C and 62% humidity so you're both warmer and drier.
I have several in different rooms. Currently in the study where I spend most of my time it's 17.5C and 50% - no heating on, but may be lighting the fire shortly.
7C raining and damp. Not even properly light yet and it's 1127.
Might get a bit of sun this afternoon according to the forecast.
rmcin626
23-01-2026, 11:29
6c and brighter today
Cold, miserable and very dull. But that’s enough about me. The weather is all that - plus it’s raining, too.
hifi_dave
23-01-2026, 15:38
Stopped raining 2 hours ago, that is around 60 hours non stop. The Sun is now peeping through as it goes down..:doh:
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 09:02
Sick of this cold wind, time it buggered off. Probably not that cold really, just feels it.
rmcin626
24-01-2026, 09:35
5c and very damp this morning
Lovely bright sunny morning, chilly still at 6C but thankful it’s not raining!
hifi_dave
24-01-2026, 10:15
Quite bright with hazy clouds and some slightly obscured Sun. No wind and quite chilly. At least it isn't raining but so wet out there I can't work in the garden.
Wind is bitter here. Bitter.
From the east and gale force. Not raining yet, saving it for the afternoon.
Just one more week of crappy January to go.
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 10:38
Just one more week of crappy January to go.
Then we'll be on to crappy February, which thankfully is a bit shorter.
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 10:40
But... wood pigeons having rumpy pumpy on next door's roof, and daffodil shoots appearing in the garden, all good signs.
Then we'll be on to crappy February, which thankfully is a bit shorter.
I don’t mind February- my birthday, but also half-term so will have a week off and go somewhere with the kids for a few days, plus it’s then only a while before spring.
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 10:47
I don’t mind February- my birthday, but also half-term so will have a week off and go somewhere with the kids for a few days, plus it’s then only a while before spring.
Somewhere warm? Or have you not decided?
We got off Anita's son for Christmas an 'open' booking for a night with breakfast and evening meal at some hotel in Harrogate. No idea what Harrogate has, I'd always assumed it was just a coach trip stopping off point for old folk who needed the toilet, before getting to York.
Somewhere warm? Or have you not decided?
We got off Anita's son for Christmas an 'open' booking for a night with breakfast and evening meal at some hotel in Harrogate. No idea what Harrogate has, I'd always assumed it was just a coach trip stopping off point for old folk who needed the toilet, before getting to York.
Harrogate is quite posh or at least it was last time I was there in about 1993.
Unscripted sunshine now!
It won't last.
Then we'll be on to crappy February, which thankfully is a bit shorter.
It is crappy but once we're there at least we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And start noticing that the days are getting longer.
Somewhere warm? Or have you not decided?
Our February tradition always used to be to go to London and do "touristy things" like Tower of London, museums etc. Haven't done since COVID We may do that again, although with Tamzin needing to decide on Uni next year, coincidentally York has been mentioned as she would like to "suss out" the towns or cities where she is thinking of applying to.
We got off Anita's son for Christmas an 'open' booking for a night with breakfast and evening meal at some hotel in Harrogate. No idea what Harrogate has, I'd always assumed it was just a coach trip stopping off point for old folk who needed the toilet, before getting to York.
Not been for a long time, but I remember Harrogate being quite nice - lots of nice buildings, restaurants and I think a RHS garden. And of course, they have a Betty's tea room - https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-harrogate... You could spend the whole weekend there, eating scones (rhymes with "bones" - so arguing...) and people watching.
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 11:32
Harrogate is quite posh or at least it was last time I was there in about 1993.
We took a coach trip to York in 1985, as I didn't have a driving licence yet. At 27, we were the youngest on the coach by a country mile. We stopped in Harrogate for about 30 minutes, for reasons I stated in my previous post. Only got to see the inside of a tea room and the bogs.
Went to the Great Yorkshire Show a few years ago, but that was outside Harrogate, not in it.
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 15:45
Our February tradition always used to be to go to London and do "touristy things" like Tower of London, museums etc. Haven't done since COVID We may do that again, although with Tamzin needing to decide on Uni next year, coincidentally York has been mentioned as she would like to "suss out" the towns or cities where she is thinking of applying to.
Not been for a long time, but I remember Harrogate being quite nice - lots of nice buildings, restaurants and I think a RHS garden. And of course, they have a Betty's tea room - https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-harrogate... You could spend the whole weekend there, eating scones (rhymes with "bones" - so arguing...) and people watching.
We saw the Betty's Tea Room in York while Christmas shopping the year after Covid, and we could have spent the whole weekend queuing outside :doh: Maybe the Harrogate one will be a bit less busy.
I'm sure your daughter would love York, not sure about student accommodation prices though. You could always buy a house there for Tamzin to share with her mates (get some rent in), might mean putting off your next hifi purchase though;)
Pigmy Pony
24-01-2026, 15:49
eating scones (rhymes with "bones")
No, that's just wrong! It's "I had a scone, and now it's gone" :)
No, that's just wrong! It's "I had a scone, and now it's gone" :)
I slipped on a scone, and broke a bone! ;)
hifi_dave
24-01-2026, 17:11
Our February tradition always used to be to go to London and do "touristy things" like Tower of London, museums etc. Haven't done since COVID We may do that again, although with Tamzin needing to decide on Uni next year, coincidentally York has been mentioned as she would like to "suss out" the towns or cities where she is thinking of applying to.
Not been for a long time, but I remember Harrogate being quite nice - lots of nice buildings, restaurants and I think a RHS garden. And of course, they have a Betty's tea room - https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-harrogate... You could spend the whole weekend there, eating scones (rhymes with "bones" - so arguing...) and people watching.
I'm not going to Harrogate anytime soon so I've just ordered a hamper for my Wife. Hope it's as good as it looks..:drool:
Horrible filthy day, a brief respite from the rain, but it hasn’t stopped all day until now. Had to collect car from the garage (£223 for alloy wheel repair and new tyre after hitting a pothole…) and I should have collected an Ark…. Cold too, 7c but could get to zero overnight.
rough night here with rain and 50mph wind but calmer now and some blue sky.
hifi_dave
27-01-2026, 16:36
The hamper from Bettys in Harrogate arrived this afternoon and it is as good as it looks. We've only tried a couple of items but it's lovely.
Weather has been cr*p. Rain and wind all night with a short but disruptive power cut sometime in the early hours. All day it's been depressingly dark, cold and very wet.
I'm about to have a second Florentine. Smashing.
Yes - it been a pretty awful weather here as well. Wind and rain all last night, only easing off around mid afternoon to allow me to do a bit of shopping. Tomorrow doesn't look to be much better.
Talking of pot holes in the road and the damage they can occur: I had to have the front offside spring replaced as one the turns had sheared through unavoidably hitting potholes. However it only cost me just over £100.
And talking of tires, I will have to get a new one soon as the tread is becoming shallow. Another £200 !
hifi_dave
28-01-2026, 10:08
Sun is breaking through the mist. Hopefully will be a bright day but it's too wet to do anything in the garden.
Had to buy a tyre last week as it was damaged by pot holes - £293 thank you. The holes have just about doubled since the cold snap and snow. Very difficult to avoid with our local narrow roads.
hifi_dave
28-01-2026, 17:31
Well, it turned out to be a lovely, bright day and relatively warm. Sod's law I had to work with two demonstrations booked for the new XD2 Harbeths so I couldn't escape into the garden. I suppose it will be chucking it down tomorrow.
been same here, sunny all day, no wind, quite mild at 9C. No Harbeth demos either :)
Pigmy Pony
28-01-2026, 23:16
I could actually feel some heat in that sun today, so I decided to go for a walk along the canal towpath (my second walk in less than a week!). Did over 7,000 steps, which is a lot for me. Involved quite a bit of uphill too, though obviously the towpath wouldn't be uphill (if the engineer had built it that way back in 1780, the horses would have had a devil of a job :doh:
The water might have struggled too.
hifi_dave
29-01-2026, 15:40
Today is another truly depressing day. Heating and lights on all day, miserable thick, grey clouds and a biting, cold wind.
Today is another truly depressing day. Heating and lights on all day, miserable thick, grey clouds and a biting, cold wind.
Same here and there's a whole week of it to come. Wouldn't mind but it's bitterly cold too.
Spent 40 minutes waiting for a train at Crewe earlier on today could easily have died from exposure.
Pigmy Pony
29-01-2026, 17:08
Same here and there's a whole week of it to come. Wouldn't mind but it's bitterly cold too.
Spent 40 minutes waiting for a train at Crewe earlier on today could easily have died from exposure.
Been anywhere nice? And did they not have a cafe with heating at the station? I wouldn't know, the last train I went on was steam powered.
Been anywhere nice? And did they not have a cafe with heating at the station? I wouldn't know, the last train I went on was steam powered.
Liverpool.
The pub at Crewe is all the way on the other side of the station from my platform, not sure if there's anywhere else.
Had to stand all the way from Liverpool to Crewe as well. Not the first time either. Should be half price if there's no seats IMO.
rmcin626
31-01-2026, 10:35
Dry and 5c so far but feels much colder
Cloudy here. Was a bit of blue sky at 0800 but that soon vanished. Going to rain in an hour or so and carry on all day.
Cold but not stupid cold. Looks like it will stay this way for at least a week. At least today is finally the end of the hated and seemingly everlasting January.
Pigmy Pony
31-01-2026, 11:05
Cloudy here. Was a bit of blue sky at 0800 but that soon vanished. Going to rain in an hour or so and carry on all day.
Cold but not stupid cold. Looks like it will stay this way for at least a week. At least today is finally the end of the hated and seemingly everlasting January.
Sick and tired, it's been hanging on me :( Only four weeks or so and it'll be March. Now that does sound like Spring.
https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/625268501_10162647682427297_5849379069208970146_n. jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=UWafXjruf-YQ7kNvwGU1v7b&_nc_oc=Adl_-Hr2aJUTOytPhlM62btxp5DvpP_5LzM62u_lmN-AIcN1IGYOOyFjLQ67WAHpzldtbWKwG4LJBZGenxgRNfLd&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&_nc_gid=FX0tvc8QuhdsIMY4t2ipVg&oh=00_AfuDDrVD_e5HM3GJSHt9Xy_D0zGEQLXTi3p9GSnTAaJH Jg&oe=698430F2
Was actually quite a nice day here, mild and dry. Looks like it will be wet for the next 10 days, then wintry showers and another cold snap, so maybe the photo is a little premature...
Spring may be just around the corner, but that does not exclude snow. Have you never seen snowdrops in the snow?
Spring may be just around the corner, but that does not exclude snow. Have you never seen snowdrops in the snow?
4 more weeks yet to the start of spring. February usually has the worst snow, if we get actually get any at all. At least in these parts.
Once past February we're usually golden. Might still be wet and miserable but no more snow and ice.
I was referring to Alex's joking photograph.
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