Not keen on the white stuff!

[Scottietottie]

Hi  

It's been snowing since last Wednesday. This is unusual in the UK in November. It's unusual for so many days of consecutive snow full stop. (Except for Scottish mountains and high ground)

On Monday I was phoned and told not to go into work. Woohoo!

No such phonecall yesterday. I looked at the car and the road outside my house and knew I wasn't doing any driving - so I headed for the main road and a bus. The main road is about a 10 minute walk. I didn't have to wait too long for a bus.

Today I set off on foot again. There had been further snowfall. I left the house at o9.20a.m. The bus I needed finally arrived at 10.15 a.m. by which time I was pretty late for work. I was also pretty cold!! I knew driving wasn't an option though. Even in the 10 minute walk along to the main road I saw three cars needing to be pushed.
I got to work and was given a cup of tea. During the time it took to drink it a blizzard blew up outside. We were all sent home. I was home by midday. It's just after 3.15p.m. now and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open! My feet are still cold!
If the buses are running - we're expected to go in. More snow and frost forecast. Brrrrrrrrr. The country would really grind to a halt if it got as cold as it does over there. We're just not used to it!

Take care - Scottie  

[Joe S.]

We have occasionally gone to Vancouver Island for Christmas vacation. I found out that most of the people on the island did not know how to drive in slush, snow, or on ice. There were lots of accidents. I also found out that most seem to drive on bald tires which makes it worse. Driving in the Twin Cities, major roads are usually good. As you get further north you have compacted snow and ice and the driving skills are a little different. When we had North Dakota plates, If they closed the roads in Missouri because of snow and ice, we were allowed to drive through. The state troupers would not drive the roads. They asked us to report conditions.

[Katybarstool]

Hi Scottie

I'm not keen on the white stuff either! The snow only hit west Yorkshire at the weekend. Driving home yesterday was testing. This morning I did the 12 miles or so in about 50 minutes, however, the snow came down mid morning - probably two inches in an hour, so our office closed. It took me 4 hours to get back home - just 12 miles. We've had to take flexi time.

There's more snow forecast overnight, and to be honest, I feel so tired now, that I'm seriously thinking of not even going tomorrow. Maybe I wil have to use another flexiday, but I don't think I have the stamina for that kind of journey again.

I just hope the white stuff disappears soon.

Keep warm.

Kathyx 

[Joe S.]

This evening news said that you were really being hit with snow. It reminded me of a gentle blizzard because I did not see the extreme winds that we usually see. Take care of yourselves. I hope that you do not have to deal with power outages.

[Pisces24]

I'm in Iowa  Oh gosh. It can get so bad they will close the schools here BUT my office stays open! 
But if I do get the driveway shoveled out, the durn snowplow comes by and blocks me in.

I'm not too keen on the white stuff either.
BTW: Snow flurries to day but we are supposed to get about 3 inches tomorrow afternoon.

[Patze]

Stay safe and warm my snow bound friends!


Patze

[Carebear]

Hi Joe,

I know what you mean about drivers on the island.  They are even worse in Vancouver on the mainland.  And everything closes after only a few inches of snow.  Even Starbucks!  

[Joe S.]

When the kids lived in Vancouver I watched buses slide backwards down the hill in front of their house. The tires on the bus were smooth.

[Katybarstool]

Gosh Joe, that is scarey!

Kathyx

[Joe S.]

Yes it was coming straight at me as I was shoveling. I backed out of the way when it hit the curve. The parked it at the bottom and every one got out and walked. I was glad I had the sidewalk shoveled.

[Patze]

Oh my gosh Joe, I'm so glad that you and everyone on the bus were okay.  The only thing I can say is WOW, just WOW!


Patze

[Carebear]

Joe, you described Vancouver drivers to a "T". 

You start with very steep hills, add drivers who never see snow, then stir in one inch of the white stuff and LOOK OUT! 

The city rarely gets snow, so they have no snow removal equipment either.   Good thing it usually melts in a couple of days.

[Joe S.]

I found it hard to drive through Vancouver since there are no highways. No major roads that I could find at the time. I now know how to drive from the states to the ferry, and what bus to take from ferry to air port and vice versa. Things have been redone since the Olympics. My old memory does not match the new routes.

The bus sliding backwards was in slow motion.

[Scottietottie]

Well - the white stuff is still with us. I haven't moved my car for over a week now and it has a 'wall' of snow round it. I've been walking to the main road for buses - which are not running to time - and today shared a taxi with a friend to go to the singing group, which we missed last week because of the weather. I walked up to her house to get the taxi because my road is still so bad but hers is busier - so clearer. She lives up hill from me and by the time I got there I was really aching. Wasn't sure if my legs were going to make it!

All the forecasts predict more of the same. Work will be difficult. Getting the bus one day is fine but the following day I'm exhausted and doing it for a whole week - well I don't like to think about it!!

Take care - Scottie 

[Katybarstool]

Hi Scottie

I understand that tiredness. Since being on the Plaquenil for nearly 6 months, my energy levels have gradually got better, but I've realized this past couple of days that that doesn't mean I have all the energy I need. I just count my blessings that I can have the Plaquenil.

Hope the white stuff shift soon!

Kathyx