A Wee Bit Chilly

Barometer

Barometer

This is what our temperature was yesterday morning.

Barometer 2

Barometer 2

Yes, I know 12C is nothing to you guys in the Northern hemisphere: probably even in summer!

But the barometer stands in my lounge. This definitely feels jolly cold!

Yes, I could switch on a thermostatically controlled electric oil heater, (many Capetonians will heat their homes, or at least a room, somehow), but electricity is expensive. The last time my heater was used was during a cold snap in winter about 4 years ago, when a friend was over for afternoon tea and I took pity on her shivering! Remember I am from the North of England.

My husband and I just wear more clothes, or blankets in the early morning or evening.

Most of my dogs, Lady, Madam, TJ, have been fine, as they had that extra downy undercoat. Mr Spaghetti Legs, although not having the under-layer, has a thick coat and never appears cold (you know, curled up in a tight ball with nose tucked under tail and all legs plaited.)

But two of my dogs, who looked very similar, have bred themselves on the streets of Cape Town to withstand searing summer temperatures, even going so far as to lie baking in full sun on the hottest of days. This was old Jack, and of course, Little Monkey. For her, and previously for him, we throw a thick blanket over her little curled up, plaited body, as she lies on her bed. She soon gets toasty warm. Snug as a bug in a rug!

Jack sunbathing

Jack sunbathing

Little Monkey Sunbathing

Little Monkey Sunbathing

 

 

34 thoughts on “A Wee Bit Chilly”

  2. faburlifekhloe

    Cold weather is never my favourite. Although 12 degrees isn’t too cold for some, I can feel the chilly air blowing to my face virtually 😛 Take care Sci! Try to drink something warm to keep yourself warm! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      That’s 32C – would be a nice day here in summer, but as you say, you need to take into account humidity etc Makes a big difference to how it actually feels. 🙂

      Like

  6. Sarah Ferguson

    Choppy is a sun sleeper – always looking for a warm place, just like a cat. Though I don’t know why – the streets of Indiana where she came from are definitely not as warm as South Africa!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Sarah Ferguson

        Choppy has been doing it since she was a puppy – I used to think she would search for the sun outside because she didn’t understand the concept of shade, but now that she’s older, it’s clear she just prefers the sun. As someone who has at least 1,000 freckles and has never so much as sniffed a tan, it is clear that the two of us are merely adopted family, because I could never do that!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. pensitivity101

    We pay 18.5p per unit for our electric and get a prepaid card with 100 units a time (so £18.50). In winter, we use anything between 10 and 14 units a day, but in the summer it’s between 2 and 3. We have thick sweaters and extra blankets as well though, and Maggie sleeps with us all year round. On cold nights, she snuggles in tight………. between us, like a proper ‘hot dog’ with us as the bread!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Garfield Hug

    For one like me in the tropics facing 34C daily…I would say let’s trade! I send you some sun and you spare me some chilly days! Ha ha! I am glad you have blankets for your lovely dogs. Even my inanimate furball Garfield loves his jumper suit in my airconditioned 22C room. Or at least I imagine my furball’s delight LOL! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      haha I am certain Garfield loves his little jump suits! 🙂
      We have sun, which is lovely, just the air is cold, especially when there is snow on the mountains (but never down here on the ground!)

      Liked by 1 person

  9. dizzylizzie72

    Wow, such extremes in weather. I have done the extra clothes thing a few times, but not like you do. Glad you gave your friend some heat for her tea time. Everything is expensive anymore, sometimes I think it might be nice to be rich, but then I think – those rich folks don’t seem like they are very happy to me. Good post.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Midwestern Plant Girl

    I love hearing of the daily trials of somewhere far away from me!
    Oreo sleeps with us and is a great little warmup device. Americans take a lot for granted, IMO. Our electric bill is about $100 a month in summer (.10 a kwh) we do run the AC fairly often. I just got off of a budget plan for gas. I now pay .46 a therm. I’ll have a $3 summer bill and a large winter bill, but better than paying for something you aren’t using!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      We only have electricity, for all power or heating. Last month, mid-winter, we used 410 kWh – so 41 dollars for you.
      I think most SA’s are aware of the planet’s resources, particularly fresh water, and use them sparingly, if only to save money. We also recycle everything possible.
      However, if our winters were as cold as yours, I’d definitely have heating on! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.