18th March, 2018. ‘Teal on a grey morning’, Peter Scott C.B.E.

The above picture is a Peter Scott framed print, probably bought in the early 1960s, and is one of the few things which I have on display which came from the Old Post Office, Boughton and which I acquired after my sister died (see four family history articles in Publications). It’s a picture I have always liked and which I was reminded of this morning when walking the dog first thing on a section of the Humber bank near to the mouth of East Drain. With the return of the bitterly cold weather (‘beast from the east’) and the biting , unrelenting east wind a group of teal had taken refuge just above the water level just into East Drain where the clay bank offered some shelter from the east wind. Sadly they took flight on seeing us, I hope they were soon able to return.

The very wintery weather has caused some family upset. In the first spell of bitter weather step-daughter in Hull slipped on snow-covered ice while walking her dogs and suffered a multiple fracture of ankle and broken tibia. She has had a ‘tottering time’ first in Hull Royal Infirmary then in Castle Hill Hospital. Last night she was returned home by Thames Ambulance Service (!) with the vehicle having to deal with terrible road conditions and wind-chill as she was manoeuvred into her house.

Forecast is for less snow today but still strong east wind until evening, possible slow thaw thereafter. Wildlife must be suffering terribly.