2024 Quick Daily Posts

[Mabel Figworthy]

One friend reported that she'd received a message from the school this morning saying that school would be running as usual today. It's a sign of how unused not-northern-UK people are to even the mildest dusting of snow.

[Steam.Jo]

As any Scot will tell you: "you might need your big coat if you go out".

[Serinde]

After a good few years spending winters in Germany with temps down to -20C overnight when I was a kid, I got used to cycling in the snow.

Can't say I cycled much in the snow in the US. Skating, yes; cycling no. But at the university I attended (about 120 miles south of where I lived), and where there were dedicated cycle lanes even in the 1970s, intrepid youths would cycle. The problem wasn't so much snow -- the lanes were mostly kept clear of that -- but, because it would rain and freeze, ice. I witnessed some spectacular pile-ups when bends were miscalculated.

[Serinde]

As any Scot will tell you: "you might need your big coat if you go out".

I always thought that applied to anyone living north of Hull!

[richardandtracy]

After a good few years spending winters in Germany with temps down to -20C overnight when I was a kid, I got used to cycling in the snow.

Can't say I cycled much in the snow in the US. Skating, yes; cycling no. But at the university I attended (about 120 miles south of where I lived), and where there were dedicated cycle lanes even in the 1970s, intrepid youths would cycle. The problem wasn't so much snow -- the lanes were mostly kept clear of that -- but, because it would rain and freeze, ice. I witnessed some spectacular pile-ups when bends were miscalculated.

It's usually safer to cycle on fresh snow, where it hasn't been compacted to form ice. And Ice, whether black or white, is to be avoided on two wheels at all costs unless you have studs (never have).
Once in Bristol I went out on my Suzuki 550 motorcycle in the snow. The snow had come the night before after copious amounts of rain to form slush 2" (5cm) deep that froze solid, then a further 4" (10cm) of snow fell on top of the ice. Car drivers had immense difficulty with 2 & 4 wheel drive vehicles on the frozen slush which remained after the snow was cleared by the hyperactive city authorities. While I, with 1 wheel drive, kept to the edge of the snow heaps left at the side of the road & had few problems. Later that same day I got in a friend's Landrover and had the excitement of being in the passenger seat as it rotated broadside to the hill and gently slid all the way down the hill. It was a real lesson: If there is no grip to be had, 4 wheel drive can't help one iota. When the Landrover finally stopped we both got out and could barely stand up, it was so icy.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

I remember walking in 6 inches of crusted snow rather than chance the icy pavements!! Actually, when I was quite young, I used to walk on top of the crusted snow, like Legolas in the LotR movie. Which illustrates the depth of the freeze more than anything else. Ah, now those were winters!

[richardandtracy]

On Honeymoon Tracy & I went to SW USA end March, beginning of April. We landed at LA, went to Disneyland, went to the Grand Canyon (where there was a bit of snow to our astonishment - Grand Canyon is in a desert, surely?), then back to California and Death Valley via the Hoover Dam & Las Vegas (where we didn't stop except for fuel in the motorhome). After half a day in Death Valley we went up to Crowley Lake, adjacent to Mammoth Lakes.

Now, 'everyone' knows California has a wonderful Mediterranean climate. Except, of course those who've been there before. And we hadn't. We arrived from Death Valley at 98F (36C) in the middle of a blizzard and a temperature of 28F (-2C). We got out at the Crowley Lake campsite in clothes suitable for a really hot day. In Tracy's case that meant a halter top & shorts. The campsite owner's doubletake was absolutely priceless. Anyway the cleared spots for campers onsite were only 6" (15cm) deep, compared to the more than 4ft (120cm) in the uncleared spots.

We had a nice warm evening (camper had central heating) and next day went to Mammoth Lakes (8ft/240cm deep in places) and tried to find an open pass to Yosemite. We had to go a long way north to find an open pass, as far as the Carson Pass not far from Carson City before we could get to the coastal strip. Then after 500+ miles in the day we stopped in the campsite in the middle of the main Yosemite valley. At that low altitude there was only 4ft of show. And, obviously, we had no idea about show shoes or skis. It was absolutely hilarious walking through 4ft of snow, going a couple of paces before breaking through the crust and sinking to waist level in a moment. I have never laughed so much in all my life, and we provided so much amusement for other visitors who either shared our fun or enjoyed seeing the mad Brits fail to cope quite so effectively.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

Yup

[richardandtracy]

Hope everyone in the UK stayed safe during Storm 'Bert'.

Down in Kent we had some pretty strong winds which took down a few trees, and dumped a bit of rain, but no serious effects (thank goodness). However, parts of the country seem to have been pretty hard hit, especially Scotland, Wales and Ireland (N & S) and the extreme SW of England. I do hope no-one on the forum was badly affected.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

Bert gave us wet snow (more than anticipated), very slick roads (YS overshot the turn for the road... he got here finally) and two following days of winds. Very windy yesterday -- the internal front door was "singing", even when the outside door was firmly shut. Victorian doors don't fit quite as well as they might after all these years.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, DH has had dreadful lurghy for a week-- so bad he's called this morning for a Dr appt; that's later this morning with the trainee GP. (Sorry Richard.) Normally wouldn't worry, but he has IPF, so really cannot let anything go into his chest. Pneumonia has a tendency to creep up. Hopefully this is "just" a virus... we know it's not Covid (tested). Did I mention that we celebrate Thanksgiving on Saturday... watch this space!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hope the GP will sort things out with whatever treatment is needed to keep pneumonia at bay!

[Serinde]

Whew. Just a virus, but Thanksgiving still in the balance!

[fccs]

I’m glad it’s “just” a virus.

[Serinde]

Global warming + idiot on a tractor = even more destruction than before. This guy must be the most unpopular farmer in the county. The video is astonishing.

One of the businesses was a craft shop. Now, I guess, there's one fewer LNS.

[Serinde]

I’m glad it’s “just” a virus.

Hope the GP will sort things out with whatever treatment is needed to keep pneumonia at bay!

Me, too; and yes, she has. Said there was nothing to hear in his lungs except the fibrosis... which is good in one sense, but slightly alarming otherwise, of course.

[richardandtracy]

Glad to hear it is <probably> a relatively benign virus & nothing to be worried about.

As for the idiot in the tractor, saw that video too. What on earth were they thinking?!?

Regards,

Richard.

[Serinde]

Not sure thinking had a lot to do with it.

[richardandtracy]

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

I have just paid my deposit for the next Ardgour weaving retreat which I enjoyed so much last year. A large present to myself, admittedly, but an opportunity I won't always be able to take advantage of in the future, so I'm going for it. Once Christmas is out of the way (which I enjoy) and the New Year has come, I can say 'roll on June'!

[Mabel Figworthy]

A lovely treat!