Thick fog arising from Morecambe Bay and on the upper reaches of the A7 south of Hawick made our journey Mersewards more challenging than normal and the Old Manse itself was as freezing as anticipated despite the Central Heating at full blast since the morning. This morning we awoke to find it 22F -and much colder outside-no I jest, slightly. It was 22 or minus 6 C on our patio and a bit warmer in the kitchen but probably not much. A pigeon had succumbed to exposure on the front lawn and to our amazement two work men were doing their thing in an enormous hole which used to be the village hall and is now looking a bit like the preparatory work for a nuclear bunker.
The images include the Old Manse huddling amongst the trees taken from Hutton Hill and a distant shot of Hutton Village at the edge of Farmer O's field. Hutton Hole to be Hutton Hall is also featured. We will keep you abreast of this project as it progresses.  ¶ 7:23 PM