A Veterinary Journal by Claire Poole
Chapter 1
Page 2
Chapter 1
Sunday 4th January
Monday 5th January
Thursday 8th January
Thursday 14th January
Thursday 21st January
Monday 25th January
Tuesday 26th January
Back to the Clayfern Intro Page
Sunday 4th January
High winds and snow, snow and snow! Unfortunately, this has meant power cuts and more power cuts. At home, we have been without electricity for 2 days and the blizzards are hampering repairs. Fortunately, Clayfern has had only short spells without power so routine work has carried on as usual at the surgery there. We had an emergency call the night the power went out. Jay stood in the road waving a hurricane lamp to guide the way, and I examined the patient using the lamp and strong torches. The old cat had lung cancer, spread from a malignant mammary lump. No treatment possible, only a peaceful putting to sleep.
This morning our road is blocked and we are completely cut off from the outside world. It is rather exciting apart from the worries of maintaining emergency cover for our patients. Luckily, it is a quiet time of year for the surgery and the telephone is still working so at least advice can be given. The whole county has virtually ground to a halt. The power of the weather is impressive and means we cannot venture out for long. Snow flies horizontally, cutting visibility to mere yards and pebble-dashing exposed skin. Snowdrifts form at the back door making even the trip to the woodshed a major expedition. Thank goodness for our wood burning stove, at least the living room is warm. Its hot plate will heat homemade soups and stews; baked potatoes do nicely in the embers and bread toasted over the burning logs smells and tastes delicious. The rest of the house is truly arctic and each night we scuttle to beds warmed with hot-water bottles and many extra blankets. Outside the wind howls unceasingly, and doors and windows rattle wildly.
Both our mothers have been visiting over New Year and are now stranded. We have effectively reverted to the lifestyle of a bygone era. Deprived of our modern appliances, domestic tasks take up much of the day - brushing the floor takes much longer than hoovering, and hand washing clothes is no fun at all. The remainder is spent playing games or reading by fire- and candle-light. Many a battle has been fought over the Monopoly board and I will have to work hard to pay off the rent due to my mother; she always manages to acquire all the plum properties. The blizzards will have to die down before the roads can be cleared and power restored.
Copyright Claire Poole 2005
