On Twitter, yesterday, there were a few snide comments about how all it took was "a flake of snow" to bring Britain to a standstill.
In case any of you think we're whining about a flurry or two, can't cope, here-- courtesy of Anne McAllister in the States, who in turn got it from Anne Gracie in Australia -- is the true picture. From space.
That isn't a flake or two. The entire country is covered with the stuff. And if we seem to be struggling, well the truth is that we haven't had this kind of weather for years. Discussion on loops are recalling memories of the dreadful winter of 1947, when a postwar Britain suffered in ways we can't begin to imagine. No central heating, coal in short supply, midwives unable to get through to deliver babies. Water frozen in the pipes, vegetables frozen in the ground. And then came the floods.
I was brought up on memories of that flood, when the water came up to the top of Aunty Amy's cooker. It was gas, so they used the burners and camped out upstairs until the waters receded. No evacuation in those days. There was no where to evacuate anyone to.
I do remember the bad winter of 1962/3 and a few people mentioned one later in the 60s, but I was living in Zambia then and missing out on the freeze.
We do have snow storms. Mostly they're regional and within a few days a thaw sets in. This started before Christmas and we're forecast more of the stuff on Sunday.
We're not up to our armpits in the stuff as they are in some parts, but there is no way we'd attempt our drive, or the road out of the village. (I've done the sideways slip on the ice at the bottom of the hill and believe me, it's not a fun ride!)
I'm not whining. We're warm, there's plenty of food in the cupboards to keep us going and as long as the electricity stays on (with overhead cables that's not a given), we'll be fine.
I hope you're all warm, dry and safe where ever you are. Take care.
