A crisp, sunny day with the frost and ice not thawing in the shade.

Driving home in the early hours (around 01:30) after the wife's Xmas works
do was an experience and a half. It was raining heavily but the rain had
frozen on contact with the ground leaving ice covered by rainwater. Not so
bad along the A30 where it had been salted but exiting on the slip road was
treacherous. As soon as we left the carriageway the car went into a spin and
just carried on spinning all the way down the slip road, eventually coming
to a stop at the bottom. The roads are still bad and it seems everybody is
staying at home today. I hope it melts before tomorrow as going to work in
the morning could be rather interesting.

Overnight minimum was -4.2°C.

Lovely in the bright, warm sunshine but the grass/ground has remained frozen
all day.

(13:25), 3.3°C, RH 79%, DP -0.1°C, 1001 hPa (S), Wind 7 mph W.
_____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

Glad you're OK Nick, must have been quite scary.

Roads tricky up here on Dartmoor this morning with snow and ice.

It really is a super day and actually feels warm sat out in the sun, well
wrapped up of course.

Take care,

Will
--

"Nick Gardner" wrote in message
...
A crisp, sunny day with the frost and ice not thawing in the shade.

Driving home in the early hours (around 01:30) after the wife's Xmas works
do was an experience and a half. It was raining heavily but the rain had
frozen on contact with the ground leaving ice covered by rainwater. Not so
bad along the A30 where it had been salted but exiting on the slip road
was treacherous. As soon as we left the carriageway the car went into a
spin and just carried on spinning all the way down the slip road,
eventually coming to a stop at the bottom. The roads are still bad and it
seems everybody is staying at home today. I hope it melts before tomorrow
as going to work in the morning could be rather interesting.

Overnight minimum was -4.2°C.

Lovely in the bright, warm sunshine but the grass/ground has remained
frozen all day.

(13:25), 3.3°C, RH 79%, DP -0.1°C, 1001 hPa (S), Wind 7 mph W.
_____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

Glad you're OK Nick, must have been quite scary.

Yes, it was one of those moments Will, when your heart races afterwards.
Thankfully the road was wide and we just bounced off the soft grass verges
as we pirouetted down the road.

T'missus was driving, and I think it has frightened her a little. She has
never driven on ice before and it came as a bit of a shock to suddenly lose
all grip with the road, and tantamount to flying (as she described it).

It really is a beautiful day, just a light breeze and that sun is
surprisingly warm. The birds are singing loudly today and the dawn chorus
has started again. I even heard a blackcap and chiff chaff sing the other
day, that was strange.

After a dull start to this month, the sunshine tally is rocketing up.

(14:00), 3.6°C, RH 78%, DP 0.0°C, 1001 hPa (F), Wind 3 mph W.
_____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

"Nick Gardner" wrote in message
...
Glad you're OK Nick, must have been quite scary.

Yes, it was one of those moments Will, when your heart races afterwards.
Thankfully the road was wide and we just bounced off the soft grass verges
as we pirouetted down the road.

T'missus was driving, and I think it has frightened her a little. She has
never driven on ice before and it came as a bit of a shock to suddenly
lose all grip with the road, and tantamount to flying (as she described
it).

It really is a beautiful day, just a light breeze and that sun is
surprisingly warm. The birds are singing loudly today and the dawn chorus
has started again. I even heard a blackcap and chiff chaff sing the other
day, that was strange.

After a dull start to this month, the sunshine tally is rocketing up.

(14:00), 3.6°C, RH 78%, DP 0.0°C, 1001 hPa (F), Wind 3 mph W.
_____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

Nick,

I had a fright last night taking dog for walk as it was heavy side of
moderate rain and did not expect the wet looking ground to be a couple of
centimeters of clear ice.

Went for walk this morning with kids. My youngest who is 7 says was scared
of the slippiness of the ground. But it took me back 30 years sliding along
the pavement with my 12 year old son

Glad you ok though Nick.

Stan

Went for walk this morning with kids. My youngest who is 7 says was scared
of the slippiness of the ground. But it took me back 30 years sliding
along the pavement with my 12 year old son

Yep, I have many memories of walking to school in the mid 80s when we had a
run of cold and quite snowy winters. We would seek out the slippiest ice
possible and run flat out then go for a big slide. Fun stuff, especially if
there was a slope.

I think I was fearless then, but than again, I've got further to fall now.

On a day like today we would normally be walking up on Dartmoor, or along
the coast path but the roads are just too dangerous around here at the
moment. Methinks I might be driving t'missus to work tomorrow unless it
warms up.
____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

"Nick Gardner" wrote in message
...
Went for walk this morning with kids. My youngest who is 7 says was
scared of the slippiness of the ground. But it took me back 30 years
sliding along the pavement with my 12 year old son

Yep, I have many memories of walking to school in the mid 80s when we had
a run of cold and quite snowy winters. We would seek out the slippiest ice
possible and run flat out then go for a big slide. Fun stuff, especially
if there was a slope.

I think I was fearless then, but than again, I've got further to fall now.

On a day like today we would normally be walking up on Dartmoor, or along
the coast path but the roads are just too dangerous around here at the
moment. Methinks I might be driving t'missus to work tomorrow unless it
warms up.
____________________
Nick
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk

As I am quite short and stocky maybe that is why I was able to act like a
kid again