Antarctic Blast

It was only 8oC (46oF) here yesterday but the wind chill made it feel even colder. Heading down to town I noticed heavy grey/brown clouds hanging low over the valley and I was certain we would get some snow. It was a four cat night as we all huddled together to share body warmth.

I have been rereading a book about Hannah Hauxwell the genteel daleswoman who was discovered by a documentary film maker in 1972 and immortalized in the programme "Too Long A Winter". This lady was living alone in a remote Yorkshire farm in Baldersdale with no electricity or water. In fact her circumstances were so dire she was living on about five English pounds a week and that included animal feed. The winters were so severe she would sleep with all her clothes on.

Despite being forgotten by the world (all alone since her father died aged 37 and her mother and uncle had died years before) Hannah was not bitter about what had happened and instead become a humble stoic individual whose chief delight was her cattle whom she regarded as her family.

Hannah became an instant celebrity after the TV documentary aired and two more were made plus three best selling books written. The attention didn't faze or change her one bit and the public's generous gifts actually made her life a little easier. In the late 1980s she moved from her farm due to failing health and now lives in a small Yorkshire village. Low Birk Hatt Farm was sold in pieces including couple of fields that were full of rare wildflowers (due to Hannah's family being too poor to use modern fertilisers) that were acquired by a conservation trust and renamed Hannah's meadow

After reading how Hannah lived so stoically despite great poverty and hardship I don't think I ever have the right to complain about my own circumstances again. Unfortunately being human I know I will!