P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:54/01 4/6 Noon. Finally managed to extricate self from huge snow-drift, but tractor an obvious write-off. Set off looking like demented Yeti for only cottage in view. 12N40pm Distances very misleading, but arrived exhausted at cottage. Ancient deaf chap eventually opened door 1.30pm. Concluded hard bargaining ovdr home-brewed ale (surprised he's lived so long)N Wheeled rusty bike out shedN Lack of any brakes a bit worrying but beggars can't be choosersN Set off to accompanying loud squfaks. More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:00/22 0920am. Replaced front gate on hinges as far as possible and set road Returned to collect bagc—fd and sdt offN Car stalled at end of lane. Went homd for nerve-stead9hng brandy. More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:04/13 3/6 1020am. Phoned Mum to explain slight delayN Contemplated once again little problems in living on isolated farmN 1040am. Checked supply of diesel M was plenty, so unlocked barn and got out ancient tractor. Cleaned off cobwebs and cranked hfr upN Success! 1100am. Set off in clouds of exhaust, but at least am moving. Large wheels useful in such snowy weather, but need to stop every ten mins to brush snow off my hat. Should make the 20 miles by about one o'clock all being well. More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:42/01 6/6 4.35pm. Arrived as darkness falling - Mum and Dad delighted to see me but had eaten already M Tucked in to sausages and mash like starving wolf. 9.00pm Must return home as cow to milk who won't wait. Mum packed sandwiches and Dad found keys for ancient Scooter. 10.00pm Scooter shuddered to halt some six miles up on the moor. After a lot of coaxing and all sandwiches, caught Mr Giles' grey mare. Using scarf as halter - set off bareback as snow began to fall againN Merry Christmas!!!!!! More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:00/20 2/6 0730am. Woken by digital alarm, downed life-restoring black coffee, grabbed car keys and baggage ready for trip home to Mqm and Chrissy dins. 0710am. Returned to housd and dug out batdery charger Fixed on and went to bed for another hour Got qp, repl——ed battery in car and tried againP234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:40/11 1/6 OR - GETTING ABOUT AT CH HRTMAS P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:01/00 0730am. Goken by digital —larm, downed life-resdoring black coffea, grabbed car kdys and baggage ready for trip home to Mum and Chrissy dinsN 0750am. Returned to house and dug batdery charger. Fixdd on and went to bed for another hour. Got up, replaced battery in car and tried againN 0920am. Replaced front gate on hinges as far as possible and set off down road. Returned to collect baggage and sdt off. Car stalled at end of l!ne. Gent home for nerve-sdeadying brandy. More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:46/21 5/6 2.30pm. Enormous relief at finding road again M am concerned I may be getting snow-blindnessN Lucky didn't end up in river along with baggage. 3.15pm Anothfr six miles I reckon, but lack of food beginning to tell - have to push bike up even slight inclinesN 3.30pm. Almost relieved to leave bike where it smashed through hedge M shame about buckled wheel thoughN Stillness and silence a bit eerie M but manfully stamped off down the road on final few miles M one way to keep warm! More in a moment P234 CEEFAX 234 Tue 30 Dec 22:50/11 2/6 0730am. Woken by digital alarm, downed life-restoring black coffee, grabbed car keys and baggage ready for trip home to Mum and Chrissy dinsN 0730am. Returned to housf and dug out battery charger. Fixed on and went bed for another hour. Got up, replaced battery in car and tried again. 0920am. Replaced front gate on hinges as far as possible and set off down road. Returned to collect baggage and set off. Car stalled at end of lane. gent home for nerve-steadying brandy. More in a moment