The weather and keeping a stiff upper lip

Blimey, does put it into perspective alright.

I'm named after him (middle name)

Found his parents grave in Holcombe church yard. Not sure if he is burried there too but there was an inscription saying something like "In memory of Robert Falcon Scott, who on his return from the South Pole was translated into a glorious death"

 

I noticed that bit too.

The Oates collection is at the house, must go there myself sometime, driven past the sign often enough.

Gilbert White was wrong about the Swallows, they don't hibernate in the mud at the bottom of ponds, they overwinter in discarded coconut shells at the bottom of compost heaps.

 

I would imagine at -40 it would be difficult to have anything other than a "stiff" upper lip.

I think one or two other bits might get stiff as well.
God my knee hurts, must be the cold weather.