Winter has arrived with a vengeance today. We woke to heavy frost and bright blue sky. The frost on the back garden, which does not get much direct sunlight in the winter months, did not clear all day. So tonight will probably just add a layer on top.
The small boy and I went out for a walk in the chilly sunshine regardless. We admired the frozen duck pond and commiserated with the ducks who only had a small corner to swim in. At the playground, aka ‘the sandy park’, for once he did not immediately take his gloves off to poke around in the sand. That’s a sign of how cold it was. Earlier he had seen a photo of an icicle, not a very spectacular one though, hanging from his big sister’s skylight window and he was quite obsessed with the hope of seeing one while we were out and about. Finally we found some small ones at the point where a small canal, presumably connected with some textile mill in the past, overflows torrentially into the River Tame.
This was clearly the high point of our outing today. “I’m really pleased we found an icicle”, he told me, quite unprompted. He proceeded to tell everyone we met that he had seen an icicle and explained what they are made of. Grandad was told twice, once when we returned home from our walk and once more when Mummy arrived and had to be given the spectacular news.
Some time in the late afternoon, as it began to go dark, clouds moved in, but they did not improve the temperature. Maybe we will have snow after all. My daughter had a message that her school carpark, which was of course clear when she left in the early afternoon, was now covered in snow. Her school is located in one of the highest points in the town.
So maybe we’ll have snow tonight or tomorrow. My daughter is due to drive to York to collect her middle daughter from university. She could do without having snow to contend with. We shall see.
The other day my friend Colin wrote in his blog about flea markets and wondered where the name came from. Well, I thought, probably from the fleas in some of the tat (aka antiques) sold at such events. Fleas that purchasers take away along with their bargains. A little research proved me to be a good guesser:
“Where Did The Name Flea Market Come From?
The origin of the name is somewhat a mystery. The prevailing belief dates back to Paris bazaars in the 1860s. Reportedly, a clever bargain hunter sifting through the tattered wares and flea-infested furniture nicknamed it le marché aux puces (“market of fleas”).
Yet another theory is city developers during the reign of Napoleon III wanted to spruce up central Paris. The dealers fled, or were forced out, to find more affordable housing. These exiles reopened shops – dubbed “flee” markets – outside Porte de Clignancourt.”
The second theory must be a load of nonsense as the name “marche aux puces” literally means “flea market” , just as “marché aux fruits” means “fruit market” but the French for “flee”, “huir” has nothing at all to do do with the French title, “marché aux puces”. It only works as an English pun!
Oh, dear! There I go, being a bit pedantic again!
To cheer me up, here’s a bit of Michael Rosen, poking gentle fun at the establishment:
“Dear Mogg
This Mike Lynch fellow is getting too much coverage. He's too fluent for my liking and our side are starting to look deceitful and incompetent. Why aren't comedians mocking his haircut or his accent? Why else did the Stones sing 'Radio Gaga'?
Iambic chronometer
Boris”
“Dear Mogg
I don't know if you're watching the soccer but Morocco have just beaten Spain. What I don't understand is why Spain didn't play Ronaldo. I'm reminded of Homer sitting in Rome writing the Odyssey and forgetting to put Prospero in the story.
Rio ferdinando
Boris”
“Dear Mogg
Ghastly Starmer's ghastly plan to abolish the Lords has to be fought tooth and mail. The upper chamber, as is, may be our only chance in the future of using Westminster as a base from which we pursue more lucrative matters elsewhere.
Oppor tuniti nox
Boris”
It’s good to see Michael Rosen keeping up the good work.
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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