An icy flower?

The ice sculptor has been busy again - it's fascinating to go out to see what has appeared each morning after another cold night. This is the head of our pond pump/fountain.

This photo is a 'Spot the Fieldfares' game - at least that's what I think they are. There were six or seven of them feeding in this tree outside our front window but I'm not sure how many I captured here. I was surprised by how well camouflaged they are among the snowy twigs and berries.

Another pond pic - I do hope my little froggy and newty friends are surviving down there. As a rule our cold spells don't last as long as this one has, or have the same intensity. It will be interesting to see what plants have survived. The only good thing about the cold is that lots of snails and slugs won't have survived and maybe there will be fewer greenfly, etc., to plague us in the coming months.

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I know that many people are invigorated by this weather and maybe I was in my youth, but I am now entering a torpid state and have to force myself into activity to get anything done. The natural urge to hibernate is very strong!! I did clear out a cupboard yesterday and pack two boxes with stuff for the charity shop, and I can see the floor again in my workroom, not to mention the worksurface by the window. We are warned of more snow to come at the weekend plus cold winds, so I shall find nice warm jobs to do like making bread and soup. Tedious though it is at times, housework gets me warm quite fast so I could end up with a nice clean house. It would be such a pity if the road became impassable again and no-one was able to visit and admire my efforts!