January 23rd - Cunzierton

Yet again, ran out of oil during a cold snap. The only thing that distinguishes this event from all the similar fiascos since we moved here is that this time it wasn't a public holiday, so at least we'll be spared the misery of last time, when we were without power OR heating over the New Year. The fact that we have run out again, only three weeks after our last delivery suggests a bit of a leak somewhere! Thank heavens we're leaving here next week. Lovely spot, but nothing bloody works...

Anyway, enough ranting. Fancied a flattish run today, so struck out west across the farm and picked up Deere Street, an old Roman road and now just a track through cultivated fields. Followed it south to Cunzierton Farm. We seriously thought of buying this when it was up for sale last year, and actually tabled an offer, only to withdraw it a few hours before deadline when reality finally overcame hopeless romanticism. It was bought by one of Anna's parishoners, Tim Butt, who has already spent tens of thousands putting a hard-core road in. Quote for running power out there is £73,000! It really is in the middle of nowhere.

Didn't realise how time was passing, and suddenly realised I had half an hour to get back home, having taken 45 minutes to get to Cunzierton. Pegged it the mile back up to the road, along to Over Whitton up to Whitton Edge and down to the farm. Finally seem to have my legs back after last Thursday. Just made it in time to let Anna leave for a parents' evening.

House freezing and kids snivelling. Cooker is also oil-powered, so it's the camp-stove again! Don't EVER buy a house with an Aga-style range. Complete nightmare. Stinking, inefficient, hugely expensive to run, make the kitchen unbearably hot for six months of the year, and as soon as you open the top to cook anything, the bloody temperature drops and it takes an hour to bring a pot of spuds to the boil. And yet posh middle-class women swear by them! A superb example of The Emperor's New Clothes.

First picture, showing the derelict Cunzierton Farm, was taken today. The second was taken last summer.