[Rich/Jan]

Hi - OH just dug out his balaclava only to find it had been motheaten.  I managed to count up the stitches and worked out a way to make a new one for him - turned out OK - not brilliant but it will do the job.  I must find a pattern and knit up a few more ready for next year - or maybe this year!!.  I am hoping to knit one with an additional cowl around the neck - any ideas on how to adapt the pattern for this - or maybe I should make a separate cowl for the balaclava to sit on.  -11 and 6 inches of snow here in Charente SW France.  Animals hate it and stay in the barn most of the day.  Water frozen and log piles frozen together - oh the joys/   Jan

[MAK]

Not sure how you fit in everything Jan what with all the animals - lambing and eating all those black puddings you made. I bet you both have the physiques of racing snakes.
I got a Nepalase/Peruvian style knitted hat for Xmas ( the ones that cover the ears and have a pom pom on top)- not too impressed at the time. Wow - I have not taken it off this last week or so. Nearly got into bed with it one night (oops).
Bought some snow boots the other day for 8 Euros - Fantastic compared to wellies !!!
We watched the film "The day after Tomorrow" - about the dawn of an iceage and loss of life to the cold. Must say I felt like a survivor at 07:00 this am ( -15) . Then I saw the lights of a car on the horizon  - so we are not the only survivors in central France  !!

[Sylvia]

My blessed and beloved sister knitted me a balaclava last winter. I wouldn't be without it and don't care what I look like It has a lovely long "neck" which tucks under the collar of my coat and keeps out all the cold wind.
My pigs and sheep think I look very chic in it

[lachlanandmarcus]

My mum and dad live in Charente most of the time and they went off recently to escape our snow only to find snow there too :-)) No central heating so they are snuggling up with oil and log burners.

I love it there, fantastic food and I just love Mums best friend's neighbour (both best friend and the neighbour are French) who is in her 90s and who can still wring a chickens neck as casually as the best of them while cultivating her potager!

[doganjo]

http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/2009/01/easy-balaclava-this-pattern-was-part-of.html

[Rich/Jan]

Hi - yes we had heavy snow here in the Charente - unable to get out of our little hamlet without tractor - impossible with cars.  Even some of our neighbours' tractors are frozen up - luckily we keep ours in the barn.  Must start on another balaclava soon - busy making soup and stews at the moment.  Jan  Temperature -11!! so consequently snow hasn't melted - One thing I inherited from my mother was to always keep a large store cupboard - other half laughs at me and says I could feed the 3rd world - doubtful but I could certainly feed us for a good few months.