And no sign of stoveman 3. No word from stoveman 2 or 1. And that is all I am going to say about that.

My gas heater , unlovely but functioning, is at medium and I have a full spare gas bombola. Compared to people with no money, heating or shelter I am just fine.

I remember past winters in Pisticci when it was really cold for days on end. When my roof, which leaked, had about a foot of snow all over it and I was worried that when it thawed the water would pour through . In these days I could see the sky through some of the holes.

I remember one night when I was in bed and I was congratulating myself on being so cosy. Then I looked at myself and laughed. I was in the little room at the back with the stairs in it. It was the smallest place to heat and leak proof. I was wearing all my clothes in bed ( obviously not my shoes), I had a double duvet folded in half and a fur rug over the top of me and 2 hot water bottles. Oh …and I was wearing a hat. I was watching an episode of Desperate Housewives which was on a Dvd in my laptop next to the gas heater which was on at low in the doorway. Bliss !!!

It is incredible that it’s so cold here in winter. But the thick stone walls and tiled floors are built to keep the heat out and not in. I could shut the shutters on the door tonight and it might be warmer but I would feel awfully shut in and I want to be able to look out and see the snow

There is already a snow video on facebook from somewhere in town. We had been in Italy for 8 years before it snowed in winter. Everybody was phoning each other to talk about it.

I have 2 lovely little square paintings , one of this Street and one of my other street ,all covered in snow.

I looked out a tartan throw which I have wrapped round me . I feel like an old granny in a book. ( except that I am a granny……just not in a book….yet!)

Short break here while I rush out to hand over a friend’s keys to someone in the piazza. It was completely beyond me to give directions here….in English or Italian. I was hoping to get some snowy photos but there is only rain now. I tested out the face mask someone gave me saying it wouldn’t make my glasses steam up. Not true.

Now it’s definitely wine time. After my little bit exercise I am lovely and warm. And it’s the weekend. I’ve completed 4 local paintings this week among other things. So pretty darn ok.

Cheers 🍷🍷🍷