More Snow

It can stop now. It isn't funny anymore. Gone is the excitement about the fresh white snow, and instead I was mildly grumpy when I woke this morning to a fresh covering. It made my walking out and about this morning a lot harder work. The nurse nearly didn't make it in who I needed to see, but thankfully did. It meant my sister and niece didn't make it over here this afternoon. And it doesn't even look pretty anymore. In the space of about 2 hours our road has turned to grey slush. Yuk.

Now I know us Brits love to talk about the weather. But this one is getting boring now. And quite frankly really annoying.

I'd rather stick to the snow ball game on the wii fit plus thanks. Speaking of which I am currently household champion on both the ski slalom and the skateboarding. NEVER thought I would see the day that I was pleased with my computer game score.... it's all this snow. I must need to get out more.

I met a lady this morning who was visiting the UK from Uganda. She had literally just arrived in Richmond. I asked her if she had ever seen snow before. Only on Christmas cards or the television apparently. I think she was quite amazed by it. And cold. Having come from such a hot country, she didn't have any suitable footwear for cold weather. I am currently sewing up an old pair of ugg boots which will hopefully help keep her feet warm while she is here.

On reflection I should probably stop being so British constantly moaning about the weather. It's just that on certain days it is the little things that can make such a difference. A lovely bunch of flowers arrived yesterday afternoon from a friend who knew I had been a little down of late and wanted to brighten my day. Which it did. And I think a little British cuppa right now should help get me through this (cold) afternoon.

Ice-tastic

So I am bored and fed up with the freezing weather now. I walked round the corner to meet a friend for a coffee this morning and nearly went flying on the ice outside the front door.

And again on on the way back right in front of two very young trendy teenage girls who still managed to look incredibly cool despite the icy conditions.

My very sensible Dad has been on at me to buy a spade for ages. I haven't because I am lazy and don't really see the point. We have a paved garden - so what exactly I am going to dig? It turns out a spade is needed today to shift all the ice from the pavement outside our home. Who knew? I suggested we use some table salt instead but apparently that won't work either. Here's hoping I don't go slip over in my heels when I go out this evening. And that we get some global warming here soon.

Either that or I am going to have to buy a spade from somewhere. Because apparently the country is going to run out of grit on Monday. Genius. Put that in your manifesto Gordon - grit deficit.

Snow update

Ok....ok. Maybe I was slightly dismissive of the snow yesterday. Apparently this is the biggest snow fall in the UK since 1963. And in parts of Scotland the temperature plummeted to -20. It is very icy outside and tomorrow I will probably go and see the Park. It did look beautiful last year when it was covered in snow.

On the radio this morning they were saying that the reason we are so bad at coping is because we get so much weather in this country. I think what they actually meant was the variety of weather. So we just can't be prepared for all this snow (and those leaves in autumn, hey?)

Well. Like my opinion counts for anything BUT I think we should be. People are slipping all over the place. The airports are closed. A million people didn't make it to work today. Schools are shut. And I can't help but think if we get another covering of snow like this next year, we will still be told it is so unusual.

Maybe someone important in Government should write an election manifesto around how to deal with variations in weather conditions in the UK. It would certainly be more interesting that what they currently seem to be babbling on about. And we have months of this to come. Election chat that is, not snow I hope. And right now I don't want to vote for any of them.

It's snow time

Or alternatively, and perhaps more realistically, it's slush time. However, the headlines are snowmania, and as per usual the UK transport system is unable to cope. I was heading back from the Junction earlier and there were numerous cancellations and delays, including it would seem any trains to my local station. It seems that any variation in weather in this country and we moan and/or the rail network seems unable to cope. Too hot, too cold, too little rain, too much rain... and my all time favourite of "leaves on the track." You'd really think they'd have that one figured out by now, but every autumn it causes all sorts of problems.

To be fair, some parts of the country do seem to be suffering more than slushville round here. My friend who lives in a village in Worcestershire is literally snowed in and her daughter had to be rescued by a 4x4 to be brought home from nursery. And many schools are closed because, um, it's too cold or dangerous or something.

I just don't get why we are so bad at coping with changes in weather in this country. We have a similar snowfall every couple of years or so, and yet every time the roads don't get gritted in time, pipes freeze up and the press create lots of panic about getting supplies of food in.

Or maybe I am just being grumpy because I didn't get my wish of so much snow that Jonny had to stay home today. That and I hope our friends make it back to the UK from Rome tomorrow. They live in Canada, where "a lot of snow" is a whole new level to what we get here. And I bet trains could cope with a bit of slush there.

Right decision

This flights lark is getting beyond boring now. BUT at last we made the right decision. i.e not to trek up to Luton today.

Our flight was cancelled and therefore we are entitled to a full refund. Hoorah. The easyjet website is being difficult at the moment (big surprise) so don't actually have one yet, but nearly there.

In other news, it was also the right decision to put nearly an entire bottle of brandy in my Christmas cake. I had a slice this afternoon and it tasted very moist and good indeed.

Still at home

So. Luton airport closed yesterday evening. No rail or road links to even get there. As the snow was falling outside our front door yesterday evening, we had to take the decision that we were going to struggle to get to our local station this morning. Let alone 2 trains and a tube to Luton for a flight that was in all likelihood not going to go.

We have transferred our original BA flights back to tomorrow from Heathrow - where we will try again.

Mild grumpiness this morning that BA crew strikes, and adverse weather have caused us all this palaver.

Hey ho. Bonus day of Jonny at home and think we will just go with it.

As Marilla always said to Anne: "Tomorrow is all brand new with no mistakes in it."

Oh snow

Snow snow snow. All around Richmond and Sheen. And Luton airport. All flights currently suspended.

I've never seen a white Christmas. Although I have often wished for one, right now it is not snow welcome.

Am sat here in front of the BBC weather forecast. Severe weather warning. Snow. Ice. Fog. Delays. Closures. Great.

No more info at present... BUT I hope to be blogging from East Jerusalem over the next few days. Or at least taking pictures all over the Holy Land to blog on when I get back.