Windy December in Parkham

Our December visit to Parkham was for just over a week and we were there for the very strong winds brought by Storm Atiyah.  It was good to know that the flat roof had been repaired earlier in the year!  The main roof seems sound although the tiles are due to be replaced in the next year or so. 
The overnight power cut meant that we got up in a cold, dark cottage without a hot drink but happily power was restored before 9:00am.  It did make us appreciate that we rely completely on electricity and, with the vagaries of the supply in Parkham, we should have some back up, even if only to be able to make a cup of tea.

There was still some lovely winter sunshine which we were able to enjoy both at Skern and also in Sidmouth. 

We made the trip to South Devon to visit an elderly relative in a care home celebrating his 100th birthday.  Raymond is quite a character having been captured in Singapore during World War Two and was among prisoners of war who were forced to build the 'death railway' - a 415km railway track to support Japanese troops in the Burma campaign.  He was freed in 1945 after three years in captivity, at the age of 26.  Even before his exploits in Singapore he had escaped from capture by German troops by skiing from Norway into Sweden, despite having never skied before.   After the war Raymond worked for Kraft Foods until he was 85! 

Raymond had clearly enjoyed his birthday celebrations earlier in the week and was a little tired so we stayed for just a short while before exploring the town of Sidmouth and walking along the seafront.

On Saturday morning we went for defibrillator training in the Allardice Hall -  with 2 defibrillators in the village we thought it important to learn how to use them.  The session was excellent, covering not only the defibrillator but also CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and I would recommend it to all villagers.  It is also the kind of course you need to attend every year or so as a refresher.

When walking around the village we were delighted to see a new donkey foal in the field -  our grandchildren are looking forward to seeing her/him on their next visit to Parkham.

We met up with many of our friends to wish them a Happy Christmas before returning to the Midlands to continue the rounds of Christmas activities with friends and families and will return to the village in early January.  While we are away the final project of the year should be completed in The Granary,  replacing the loose wall tiles in the shower with new shower panels, a job which can only be done when we are not in residence as there is only one, small bathroom.