We achieved 9 degrees today!! Bright sunshine - lovely stuff. Mind you, it was compensating for minus five overnight which resulted in a trip to the linen closet for more blankets around 11 pm. Still, it was nice, though the frost on the shady side of things did not melt all day. Irish stew bubbling away in the electric frypan, due to me not being able to find the slow-cooker that I apparently tidied away all too efficiently during my clearout. No idea where it is hiding, but will doubtless find it in due course. Meanwhile it may take a while for the spuds to soften...