Hampered by cold and no Internet

Ian has gone to France for a few days by himself. He chose to arrive just as a cold spell hit the South and although there has been no snow down by the land, it is not far off. Temperatures are colder than they were when we were there over Christmas which makes it very difficult to work in the house with your hands. However, the most annoying problem is that we have no phone or Internet connection meaning that we either have to speak on the mobiles (very expensive) or Ian has to walk over to the neighbours and use their wireless network to get Skype. Phone calls are limited by the cold! It is an indication of how dependent we are on this means of communication that next week, he will try to get us a phone and Internet connection. This is before we have a proper electricity supply, heating or flushing toilet!

The other bad news is that the water is still coming in the cellar, although only in one corner. Ian is very dissapointed and has come up with yet another theory as to why, although what it all boils down to is that the builder didn't put in any drains. It is still an unsolved problem and the builder does not seem interested in sorting it out!

On another note, I went to Brighton today to do some teaching and was a bit taken aback to see that several University buildings have gone and in their place is a large part of the stand for the new Brighton football stadium! It is a lot closer than I thought!

As I walked across the campus to the railway station the wind was icy cold and went straight through my down jacket. It reminded me of the long winters in Nova Scotia. It is sunny but still bitterly cold for mid March. Coming over on the train I thought the countryside of the South Downs looked pale and faded. Spring can't come a moment too soon!