It’s been so mild here in southern England that we were lulled into thinking spring was just around the corner.  As I sit here writing to you winter just snuck up and settled in with a bang.  Aptly named ‘the beast from the east’ it is bitterly cold, train passengers and motorists are stranded en route, and we have 10 severe weather warnings posted (Canada we are geographically as big in size as the province of B.C.) so the army and tractors are pitching in to rescue people.

What does this mean for The Burnout Queens and The Burnout Pups?  Let’s just say we are getting a lot of work done, drinking pots and pots of tea, baking and the pups (?) well, they are by our side sleeping cosily on their blankets.  These are the times we know we made a smart decision to work from home so we don’t have to brave the elements anymore.  Good planning The Burnout Queens!!!!!!

Whether you’re in the freeze, still stuck on the motorway or train, or warm in front of the fire, we hope this edition of Hello brings a bit of beauty and entertainment to you.  For those elsewhere in the world experiencing milder ‘climes’ enjoy as well.

Early February we bought a car (Dr B passed her UK drive test) so we bundled up the Burnout Pups and drove across town to Priory Park site of a 9^th Century monastery.  Who walks their dogs amongst ruins built between 1078 and 1082 during the reign of Cluniac pope Gregory VII?   We do!  It’s fabulous and all four of us were excited to walk and learn as we went.  A definite walkie route is unanimously established (more in an upcoming extra edition of Hello).  Arrived home to two valentine’s day cards from Dog’s Trust pups to finish the outing properly.

Then came the first snowfall (thought we have dodged this moving from Canada, but no).  The street looked bleak, but I must admit the castle still looked pretty stunning, wouldn’t you agree?

Now the ‘beast from the east’ makes the pups hesitate before being taken outdoors for breaks.  Who wouldn’t if you had short legs, were slung low to the cold pavement and get hypothermia quickly!  The pleading eyes are a killer, but the youngest gets excited to romp, especially when wearing her pink fleece sweater and matching neck scarf (she insists wearing it over her head like The Queen).  We swore we would never be these kind of dog owners, but…guilty!

Hope still springs eternal on market day with these inspirations.  And we admit there is always room in the freezer for a Victoria Sponge to get us through cold evenings.  However, this Valentine’s cake was too glorious to pass up (at least for a photo op).

Now that we have a car (aka ‘Flash’) you can bet we’ll be going further afield to explore, walk and just enjoy this beautiful countryside we live in.  Don’t worry you’ll have a front row seat for all our journeys…promise.

Until next month, get a good winter’s rest like this guy does.  This is his version of mindfulness… going, going, GONE!

Love from all of us!