Lots of Snow

[Teho]

I remember we had this discussion years ago too, and my opinion hasn't changed. I can't fathom why you people are out driving *at all* in the snow and ice when your cars aren't properly prepared for it. There is so little margin for error! Even if you are confident in your own ability to drive there's still a significant risk that some other idiot will take you with him when he screws up.

I'm not questioning your driving abilities, mind. In the right conditions it just doesn't matter. I've misjudged conditions and slid some times myself, I mean who hasn't? I really think you people are underestimating the risks you are taking by driving like this, and kinda wish you wouldn't.

[Stephen Coates]

For the first time ever, I was supposed to be doing a few days of paid work over christmas (with Marks and Spencers).

There wasn't much snow around but even so, despite setting off quite early, several buses failed to turn up, meaning I missed a train. Not to worry I thought as I can get the next train. Only when I did manage to get to the railway station, it said it was cancelled. I eventually ended up going to a telephone box to call my Grandad to ask for a lift. He had difficulty getting the car up the drive and when we got to Doncaster we got stuck in traffic. I ended up being half an hour late.

On day three on my way home at 8pm, I managed to get from Doncaster to Rotherham on the bus OK, but the next bus I intended to catch to go home was cancelled, so I resorted to a different one (more or less same journey time under normal circumstances), and the bus slid down one of the steep roads.

On Christmas Eve I decided to go on my bike since it is normally more reliable, the roads were mostly clear by now and it would mean I can get home in the evening (buses finished early at Christmas). I got about 20 yards and found my tire was punctured and had no way of fixing it. So that was the end to my temporary work with M&S, only working 3 out of 6 days.

We got loads of snow here on the 5th, must be a good 3 inches at least. I know just about every school in the area is closed, but I don't know what the roads are like as I didn't go out anywhere, nor did I have the radio on. I will probably have to wait till Friday for the newspaper. I did hope to go out and treat myself to some coffee and cake (it was my birthday), do some shopping, get a puncture repair kit and go into college to get my £805 back (I finally got the grants sorted), but I didn't feel like walking anywhere, and didn't want to risk using public transport, especially not if I had shopping. So, that may take place today instead.

I've took a few pictures of the snow but they are on my 35mm camera so I'll post them as soon as I have developed them.

I must say though, I do like hearing about and laughing at everyone's incompetence when it comes to snow.

[Tiago]

Snow? I only saw it 3 times in my life...

Here in Lisbon, today, is about 15 degrees celcius.
We usually only have snow in one montain in Portugal that has 2000m high.
sometimes when temperature goes bellow 5 degrees in the north it snows a little, but nothing compared to the rest of europe.
Different weather, here in Lisbon, last year we had some days 0 degrees, witch is a lot for us, and didnt snow...

[Harrison]

You definitely wouldn't like it here in the UK at the moment then where it has been below freezing for a few weeks now. -6 deg celcius for the past week where I live.

We have a Chinese student staying with us and this is also the first time she has ever seen snow. In fact it is the first time she has been outside of the southern region of China she is from, where it is always hot. She hasn't taken her coat off yet, not even in her room. I expect she is even sleeping in it!

But at least she is getting on with it. We had an Italian student before her who only stayed for a few weeks before moving house to live with a friend. When she arrived it was still about 15 Deg outside and we had the house was at 20 degrees without needing the heating, which we like. She was constantly moaning how cold it was and if we could put the heating on. So I bet she is moaning now!

[J T]

It snowed a bit, and settled. Not too deep. The big problem now is the ice forming as it is so cold. I got into work late, and left early. Today was a good day.

My wife didn't even get to work (she drives, and her employer said flat out don't bother trying), so it was an even better day for her

[Demon Cleaner]

I was in Finland for christmas, and there was a lot of snow, and -20. Coming home again, it was around 0, but since 3 days we have -8 here, and no snow (yet). They say in the forecast that the snow coming all the was from the UK will strike us on the weekend.

But I have to mention that -20 in Finland feels a lot less cold than -2 in Luxembourg. It's not windy, and there's no humidity at all. After sauna, I went without t-shirt into the snow, first time in my life I did this, and it was really great, felt so refreshing, never would have thought that