Preparing for Winter V

[Deleted User]

The extension roof was covered in snow yesterday but the wind must have been strong enough to clear it last night and now it's sheet ice and there is an ice crust on the snow on the ground. It's bone chillingly cold out there and I'm going to ground until the thaw sets in. Having the right gear makes getting around safer if you have to go out, He Who Knows has just been to the shop for his paper with Yak Trax, walking pole, thermals, Berghouse jacket, Sealskin gloves etc and thermals and was fine on the surfaces. Local shop now out of bread, milk (we got one of the last two left) and yawning gaps on shelves as the delivery lorries can't get here. Thankfully with my upstairs pantry of tins, jars and dried stuffs and our log store we'll be warm and fed for the duration.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Bloke on the radio this morning complaining that the emergency services weren't being that helpful with his stranded snow-bound coach of 40-plus passengers, inc a baby. He'd driven the coach from London into Somerset yesterday, ie directly into the red weather warning area. I guess the emergency services are being stretched very thin by people insisting that they have to drive and that the warnings are for other people.

mardatha

Still bad up here, Mountain Rescue are delivering people to hospital and meds to people who have run out. My village is still cut off, husband says 15ft drifts up top of the road and the rest of it 2ft deep. No buses running anyway and A7 is still iffy due to drifting snow on the moor just up from me. I take it then that Sainsbugs is not going to bring me my sweeties this weekend. Or my cake mix. Or my anything lol

Wednesday2000

I was supposed to be going out for my birthday this weekend!

I'm not sure if I will now. I'm definitely not going out if there is still ice on the ground.

fuddle

There by the grace of God go I. My BP and heart rate have increased. I am developing a pain in my shoulder. I need to get to the doctors and because of the weather and people not wanting to venture out there are ample appointments. The buses are back serving the hill and our weather warning has been downgraded.

I do hope the GP can't hear any lung crackles and that I don't need antibiotics but I suspect that won't be the case. It changes very quickly. This morning I was feeling confident that I was beating it.

I feel lucky anyway but the closeness isn't lost on me. If I lived where Mar does I would be in serious trouble right now.

Elona_2

fuddle

Good luck at the doctor's and make sure you wrap up warm with a scarf over your mouth and nose.

[Deleted User]

It's been snowing here for a couple of hours, very fine and tiny flakes but it's laying and covering footprints made earlier on when it had stopped. I was surprised to find nearly all the shops in the village closed and unlit when we went for a walk this morning, the only shops open were the co-op, one stop and the gents hairdressers, all the rest were unlit and shut up tight. I thank goodness for the supplies we run with as yesterday there was very little milk and bread here and big gaps on shelves that are usually very well stocked. I feel for folks who haven't had the time or forethought to put in some 'emergency' supplies and I hope this cold snap doesn't last very much longer because if it does, I think there will be some real hardships faced, particularly if the big lorries can't get into the village to re-stock the essentials that are missing now.

mardatha

I'm having an ongoing argybargy with Scottish Borders Council. This village is surrounded on all sides by farms and yet the council won't allow them to use their tractors to clear our roads. They used to, but for some stupid elfinsafety reason they don't any more. Whole village plus outlying farm houses, gamekeepers and shepherds cottages, all cut off unless we can walk to the main road - where there are no buses. Magic.

[Deleted User]

I learned something new today courtesy of DD1, this very fine snow is known as 'Champagne Dust', isn't that apt?

greenbee

Mar - where I grew up the local farmers had the snowploughing contracts as it was cheaper/easier for the council. I'm guessing it's an insurance and/or budget thing.

However, as we rarely get snow where I live now (not far from Lyn), the farmers are out today digging out the council snowplough . Not sure how they're getting on but earlier today all the roads out of the village were blocked and the only vehicles passing were tractors and ATVs.