Gloomy.

It rained for most of the morning only stopping just before I set off for work. I didn't do much in the morning, not once I'd done the usual housework but I made up for it later on. I had my usual fun afternoon with the little children. I took my group of readers over to a room that is used for nurture groups where we could sit in a nice cushioned area. For some reason I spent the whole time is a kneeling/sitting position with all my weight on my ankles. It was so hard to get up and what was worse I had to literally hobble back across the playground where parents were already waiting to collect their children. I was back to normal once I got to the main building but the parents must think I'm a right old wreck.

Before I left for work I checked on-line and the latest forecast was for snow/sleet showers tonight. It didn't look like a snow sky but I left the pug up at the top of the hill in case of the dreaded ice. When I got home, after a chat with Jack who had ridden up on his bike, I realised that I had an opportunity to paint the chimney as it had been dry for a while. I put the paint and a brush in a bag with decent handles and very cautiously made my way up the ladder. There would have been a time when I would not have gone up so high but Lundy did a lot to cure my fear of heights. Even so I clung on very tightly and went up slowly counting every rung - 25 in all. It's amazing what you can do when there isn't any other option. It wasn't so bad once I was up there and it didn't take too long to get a coat of paint on. I thought I might have a problem getting back on the ladder but it is securely tied on. Another coat or 2 and the scaffolding can go. The other chimneys could also do with a lick of paint but there is NO WAY I am walking along the ridge tiles to get to them even though I've seen Fred do it when he put the wire cages over the tops of the chimneys.