Finished again: our first short two days of ”cold wave” in 2017. -30℃ last night, about -26℃ during the daytime. That is pretty harsh if you are not used to it, and when you are used to it it’s harsh because the temperature goes up and down to extremes so quickly this year. From plus 5 degrees last week, to minus 30℃ last night to -3℃ today. Such a cold wave is pretty normal in January, but normally it comes creeping over us more gradually. Yesterday our frosty queen winter suddenly tried to sneak into our houses all day long, like an attack. That means: a lot of work! We have to watch and feed our wood burners all day long instead for just one or two times a day. And think about our lovely dog who is not bothered about a couple of minus degrees and just wants to make her daily walk in the woods. Well, our thermic underwear makes this possible, as long as our lady dog doesn’t stand still every second.
The temperature difference suddenly is about 40 degrees between in- and outdoors. It is thrilling: will the central heating stay in function and what about the electricity? Hopefully, it will not disappear! It is like getting on survival mode. Luckily this cold air is a dry one, so if you dress warm enough you can be outside and do things for a while. But it stings to your cheeks. We can understand that you are not jealous when you read this, but believe us: this cold offers something you never forget. A very special crispy sound when you walk through the snow, astonishing starry skies and complete silence, only the house makes cracking sounds caused by frosty conditions. And afterward the best reward: sitting next to the fireplace.
But since this afternoon it has warmed up again to minus 3℃. The air feels nice to the skin again. It’s almost like this cold and frosty queen was never there. As this sudden temperature difference feels strange to our bodies, our house doesn’t seem to believe it too. From the walls still creeps cold air. Hopes it stays a bit below zero now for a while, and stable winter conditions please.
Of course, our frosty queen winter delivers also lots of fun: speed racing with cars on lake Ore, the possibility to icefish and ice-skate in the neighborhood and hopefully good snow conditions for the snowshoe spectacle at the end of January in Rättvik… We love it, living on the edge! And you, do you want to stay at our place and enjoy this feeling?
Very evocative winter story. You feel the cold, even if you’re lying in your warm bed in The Hague with 6 degrees outside.
Stay warm up there, at least inside your beautiful and cozy house.