WINTER,S WARMTH.

Gareth and Bugs sat in front of the fire, the warm glow of the embers reddening their faces, not that Gareth’s needed it, Bugs raised his dram toward the fires glow and starred at the golden amber whiskey as he gently swirled it around the glass. Gareth watched pulling gently on his clay pipe as he did so.
Outside, the wind had picked up and was now drifting the snow into the corners of the garden, the corners that only a short time ago had displayed the blooms of summer.
“You know Gareth, we don’t lead such a bad life do we?”
“I’ll second that Bugs, now put a drop more of that fine malt in my glass , and while you’re at it, I’ll have one of those delicious goat’s cheese and pesto tartlets you’ve baked please.”
Bugs obliged then placed a fresh log on the fire, it started to smoke and hiss a little as the heat drove out the last of the moisture. The old friends sat and starred, each, once more lost in thought in their own little world.
The other side of the window pane things were different, the snow now fell left to right instead of up to down. The howling wind singing it’s eerie song around the cottage.
“A few more hours of this Gareth and we’re snowed in mate, but fear not, I have provisions for a month, and if after that it gets worse I’ll eat you.”
You would’nt,would you Bugs?”
“You can bet your feathery little ass I would, you look finger lickin good.”
The clock chimed 1, time to do the rounds and feed the animals. The two friends made ready for their icy task, Gareth sported a tweed overcoat and a pair of Dunlop wellies, Bugs on the other hand opted for a more rural approach and donned his Barbour.
The two horses, Kracker and Poppy, were well rugged up but still stood against the hedge, their backs to the wind.
As the duo trudged through the snow toward the duck pond, they heard Harry, the goose, calling, rallying the ponds residents.
“Gareth, grab that brush and clear a feeding area.”
Shouted Bugs, as he lifted the tub of food from the feed bin. The pond was’nt frozen and the snow flakes melted instantly on touching it’s surface. The wind searched for ways into the winter attire but found none.
The horses, ducks, geese, chickens and wild birds were taken care of, helped, helped to survive, after all, that’s what it’s all about, survival. A little thought and a little effort, that’s all it takes and everyone and everything feels better for it.
Tune in next time to see how Gareth the helpful Turkey sacrifices himself to save a stranded community.
Gaffers up, brew time, bye for now.