Hi,
Opensauce, I take your point, this country is pathetic with the slightest falling of snow.Many people trapped on motorways.
My dad was a fireman, then driver on the GWR ,it was a matter of pride they done their best to get the train through.Now a few leaves and they are bug***d.Good old H & S.
Our whole transport system does not cope.
Our airports can't cope, it's embarrassing.
Just hope everyone stays safe.
Slightly smug here living in tropical South Wales.
Our biggest worries are the monsoons.
Best wishes,
Greg
As someone who lived 12 years in the Baltics experiencing -32℃ in the winter, I'd like to point out that the cold, damp winters in the British isles can feel worse than a dry cold -32 in Russia or the Baltics. Even the snow is different. British snow comes in big clumps and drifts very quickly. Russian and Baltic snow is powdery. Dry cold is easier to handle than damp cold.
OK, we don't change our tyres but there is no need and southern Ireland, for example, can't justify the snow clearing equipment for a once in ten year event.
Comparing the UK to Siberia is like comparing a seaside town to Venice. The majority of people aren't used to it and don't get enough practice of driving in snow. Our infrastructure isn't set up for it.
Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 13/1/2017
As someone who lived 12 years in the Baltics experiencing -32℃ in the winter, I'd like to point out that the cold, damp winters in the British isles can feel worse than a dry cold -32 in Russia or the Baltics. Even the snow is different. British snow comes in big clumps and drifts very quickly. Russian and Baltic snow is powdery. Dry cold is easier to handle than damp cold.
OK, we don't change our tyres but there is no need and southern Ireland, for example, can't justify the snow clearing equipment for a once in ten year event.
Comparing the UK to Siberia is like comparing a seaside town to Venice. The majority of people aren't used to it and don't get enough practice of driving in snow. Our infrastructure isn't set up for it.
Ewen,
You are probably right what you say, but at the end of the day when everyone pays a fortune in this country for road tax and rail and airfares a supposedly rich country grinds to a halt at the first hint of inclement weather.
Whether it's the type of snow,or leaves on the railwayline it's a national shambles.
Our infrastructure should be set up to keep the country going whatever.
Regards,
Greg
Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 13/1/2017
As someone who lived 12 years in the Baltics experiencing -32℃ in the winter, I'd like to point out that the cold, damp winters in the British isles can feel worse than a dry cold -32 in Russia or the Baltics. Even the snow is different. British snow comes in big clumps and drifts very quickly. Russian and Baltic snow is powdery. Dry cold is easier to handle than damp cold.
OK, we don't change our tyres but there is no need and southern Ireland, for example, can't justify the snow clearing equipment for a once in ten year event.
Comparing the UK to Siberia is like comparing a seaside town to Venice. The majority of people aren't used to it and don't get enough practice of driving in snow. Our infrastructure isn't set up for it.
Ewen,
You are probably right what you say, but at the end of the day when everyone pays a fortune in this country for road tax and rail and airfares a supposedly rich country grinds to a halt at the first hint of inclement weather.
Whether it's the type of snow,or leaves on the railwayline it's a national shambles.
Our infrastructure should be set up to keep the country going whatever.
Regards,
Greg
So how are you going to teach all the people how to drive on snow when it is becoming a rare event? Also, I would suggest that a lot of taxpayers would be screaming at the expense of expensive equipment lying idle. The British climate does have an impact. A council may have to grit and salt multiple times in one night due to rain washing the treatment away and then the freeze catches them out.
The public and shopkeepers need to change their attitude too. Aren't you still responsible for the pavement outside your property? Aren't people supposed to clear all their windscreen? Aren't people supposed to think before taking a journey? Taking half the eejits off the road would help, walking that journey to work instead of a short car journey... So many things. As I said before. Comparing to Siberia is like chalk and cheese.
Yes, it's the pavement thing I find most annoying in a period of prologned snow. I always clear my path & pavement outside my house. If everybody did it as with Germany where it is law, I think then much better.
Before tho old urban myth about anybody breaking limbs slipping on your cleared pavement can sue you is trotted out. No, they have no case because they cannot prove they would not have slipped on the uncleared pavement.
Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 13/1/2017
As someone who lived 12 years in the Baltics experiencing -32℃ in the winter, I'd like to point out that the cold, damp winters in the British isles can feel worse than a dry cold -32 in Russia or the Baltics. Even the snow is different. British snow comes in big clumps and drifts very quickly. Russian and Baltic snow is powdery. Dry cold is easier to handle than damp cold.
OK, we don't change our tyres but there is no need and southern Ireland, for example, can't justify the snow clearing equipment for a once in ten year event.
Comparing the UK to Siberia is like comparing a seaside town to Venice. The majority of people aren't used to it and don't get enough practice of driving in snow. Our infrastructure isn't set up for it.
This is something I wasn't even aware of (or at least never gave any consideration to) until recently. My son spent a good chunk of 2015 posted in Canada (Calgary), and after meeting and wooing a local lass, she's now over here, and has spent the last fortnight shivering and whingeing about the cold! It was -18 when she left just before Xmas. Their snowy minus 30's (which they get regularly) are also dry. Apparently the snow just needs (soft) brushing off windscreens. No scrapers needed. No demisting of car windscreens needed. No locks get frozen. Boots and coats stay dry, and snowballs hurt no more than a handful of feathers! No moisture means no ice!
Dry snow and canvas... how fantastic does that sound!!
No freeze thaw so no frost if temps stay below -10. There is however a real danger of death in conditions far below zero which is why if you drive in the Canadian countryside in winter you need to include a survival suit in case of accident or breakdown.
Stories about how poor folk survive Siberian winters are quite hair raising & also quite funny where one kills a Moose & hangs it in one's back yard no freezer required at -30 & saw bits off it as required with a hacksaw.
I would agree it's hardly worth the expense of equipping UK for rare winter events but in view of the £millions of unnecessary damage done with folks trying to carry on as normal ill equipped for snow there could be a case for declaring public holidays so we can all stay at home & build snowmen...
Well just back from a hill walk. Had to beat a retreat due to high winds and low cloud.
Bridge camera gave up the ghost due to cold batteries. Phone shut itself down due to the cold but the go pro clone did well and managed to work even though it was clipped to the rucksack strap. The cheap smart watch also kept running so sim card will be going in that. And, of course, the battery free map and compass did sterling work.
The roads were white at 7 am but passable and luckily the ceed sw doesn't have traction control. I always switched it off when I had the Volvo. TC is hopeless in the winter.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Snow anyone?
