Snow on the way are you ready for it

[Deleted User]

bertiewhite wrote: »

These cliched comments always wear me down. My father always asks the same tiring question - why does UK always grind to a halt when it snows and I always ask why he hasn't got snow chains. His answer is that it's not worth it because of the amount of snow we (don't) get.
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snow chains are useless in most winter conditions here in the uk. Winter tyres are good, was at my most secure when I was driving a land rover defender with winter tyres. Even 4 x 4s can slip btw. I have a 4 wheel drive and know how to drive it in winter, had this one for years and would still stay off the roads because of idiot drivers who think 4 x 4s are invincible. They slam their brakes on and next thing, they are sliding into someone else. Best car I ever had on the road, when living in the lake district, was an old beetle, got me home safe every time. Was rear wheel drive and I kept a heavy sack of sand in the boot

[Deleted User]

I think in ANY event I'm happier being over prepared than found wanting, my stores are only what we use in everyday life in any case so I know they will be used up in the fullness of time. It's a very small price to pay for relative peace of mind.....and cups of tea!!!

bertiewhite

kittie wrote: »

snow chains are useless in most winter conditions here in the uk.

Chains were just an example. There are many ways of preparing for snow which are just not justified by the amount that most of the UK receives each winter. The OP also stated that countries such as Russia seem to cope OK - well yes of course they do because they can almost guarantee snow and it tends to stay around for a while. Apart from 2010, I have not experienced heavy enough snowfalls to justify major preparation (and expense) for something that probably won't happen and even if we do get snow, it'll be gone in a day or so.

ariarnia

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I haven't the faintest idea really of how to make a house "cosy" and "home"-like.

When I started my apprenticeship I was broke and making a home for myself for the very first time in a little not quite bedsit and it was October with winter coming on hard (c.2008/9) - storage heaters, damp, no cooker in the kitchen.

I found picking a warm colour scheme helped - I went with reds/terracotta/orange - and making everything 'soft' (avoiding the 'cold' Scandinavian minimalism and leaning more to 'traditional' warm dark wood) with wool throws in autumn colours, curtains in poppy red, woven rugs, patchwork cushions - now with a British racing green leather sofa and dark polished mahogany sides - think textures.

I know it sounds silly but I find textures 'cosy', so even now I've got... I guess you'd call them tapestries in the lounge and hall. Not for insulation as such (I have heating now;)), but for the feeling of... nesting almost I guess.

It's hard to put into words.

As we're talking textiles, it's really easy to refresh each room for the seasons, so in spring/summer the curtains are still bright poppy red, the throws go into a pine chest with mothballs, and the rugs get rolled up and replaced with a geometric primary colour 'thing' (that the OH picked, can you tell:rotfl:).

Fewer nights spent curled up on the sofa, more opening up the doors and eating on the patio (assuming it doesn't snow in June again).

Works for us.

Southern-Girl

I doubt very much if we will get any here on the south coast. Very rare for it to snow here.............

moneyistooshorttomention

ariarnia wrote: »

I found picking a warm colour scheme helped - I went with reds/terracotta/orange - and making everything 'soft' (avoiding the 'cold' Scandinavian minimalism and leaning more to 'traditional' warm dark wood) with wool throws in autumn colours, curtains in poppy red, woven rugs, patchwork cushions - now with a British racing green leather sofa and dark polished mahogany sides - think textures.

I know it sounds silly but I find textures 'cosy', so even now I've got... I guess you'd call them tapestries in the lounge and hall. Not for insulation as such (I have heating now;)), but for the feeling of... nesting almost I guess.

It's hard to put into words.

As we're talking textiles, it's really easy to refresh each room for the seasons, so in spring/summer the curtains are still bright poppy red, the throws go into a pine chest with mothballs, and the rugs get rolled up and replaced with a geometric primary colour 'thing' (that the OH picked, can you tell:rotfl:).

You've been looking at my house then:rotfl: - ie "cold Scandinavian minimalism":rotfl::). In some ways that doesn't "work" too well in some parts of the country ....

Yep....textures sounds a good idea. Patchwork cushions sound a good idea:T

That's got me thinking along lines of one of the plus points of this area is there are a lot of very creative/arty type people around here. I've bought a couple of these West Walian "arty bits" to date - but the thought hadn't occurred to me to think in terms of specially commissioning what I want. It has now......:). I must admit I am somewhat surprised at how few people come into this area "on a mission" to find the sort of things like that that are produced here.

I have a feeling I'm going to get to be quite a good customer of the local "creatives" when I've eventually got the money to think along those lines....:)

Hmmm....tapestries...hmmm..:). Now there's a thought....and I wonder whether non-creative me (ie not one single creative bone in my body:() might manage to make something along those lines....I like the thought...

There are certainly quite a few people round here that could teach me that sort of thing....

[Deleted User]

the winter of 1962-3 was the coldest for 200 years and even London and most of southern England had snow for a couple of months it caused chaos on road and in shops I hope we never have another winter like it. Snow chains would be of little use to many people as they often think that by having them it makes them immune to other drivers .Perhaps if folk just slowed down a bit then fewer accidents would happen,but then again human nature is such that its unlikely to happen.
As I don't need to drive when the weather is bad I'd rather not risk it and am quite happy to have a few extra bits of fresh fruit in my conservatory (keeps very well out there ).

I took my DGS down to Gatwick this morning as he is off to Berlin for a few days ,sensibly he has got his boots with him just in case.Fingers crossed he will be able to get back to the UK before it turns too cold.

I think as my friend always says there is no such thing as bad weather just dress appropriately and layer up and you should be fine . Time to dig out the thermal vests I think :):)

Farway

JackieO wrote: »

the winter of 1962-3 was the coldest for 200 years and even London and most of southern England had snow for a couple of months it caused chaos on road and in shops I hope we never have another winter like it.

Yes I remember seeing the pictures & reading about it whilst in Singapore with the RN at the time, bit of a bu66er for the wife though as she had to trudge to work in the snow :)

suki1964

JackieO wrote: »

the winter of 1962-3 was the coldest for 200 years and even London and most of southern England had snow for a couple of months it caused chaos on road and in shops I hope we never have another winter like it. Snow chains would be of little use to many people as they often think that by having them it makes them immune to other drivers .Perhaps if folk just slowed down a bit then fewer accidents would happen,but then again human nature is such that its unlikely to happen.
As I don't need to drive when the weather is bad I'd rather not risk it and am quite happy to have a few extra bits of fresh fruit in my conservatory (keeps very well out there ).

I took my DGS down to Gatwick this morning as he is off to Berlin for a few days ,sensibly he has got his boots with him just in case.Fingers crossed he will be able to get back to the UK before it turns too cold.

I think as my friend always says there is no such thing as bad weather just dress appropriately and layer up and you should be fine . Time to dig out the thermal vests I think :):)

I'm a result of that winter, born August 64


We are always prepared for snow here as well

There's plenty of coal and logs, after the oil froze in 2010 we don't rely on just one form of heating. Indeed we don't rely on one source of anything.

We have a camping stove, we have the stoves, we have candles, torches and lamps battery radio and a corded phone as well as the mobiles

We have had it bad here a few times, but everyone pulls together. When we had no power for a week, a friend who had a back boiler opened up her home for anyone wanting a hot shower. The local bar took in casserole, joints etc to be cooked for those who had no other form of cooking, neighbours turned out for each other to get cars dug out, local farmers kept the side roads clear of drifts and would take coal up to remote cottages

I learned very quickly how to drive on snow and ice. I don't like doing it but it has to be done at times, esp if you have a job to get too

Just my luck, the snow is due Wednesday and I start a new job Friday lol

VfM4meplse

I am glad someone believes me, I'm getting v short shrift on DT!

I was trying not to spend and so there's little in my fridge - not that I even had a cup of tea before I braved my journey into town this morning! - but I shall stock up for a few days ahead of Friday. On the plus side I have had 5 NSDs so far this month

I really hate snow, esp when it gets compacted as I slip whether on 2 feet or with 4 wheels. Unfortunately I won't be able to avoid my journey, but thankfully its only a short distance to the tube station and snow tends not to hang around for long in central London! There's no incentive to do anything other than stay snug at home if I don't need to be out though.