In message
,
"Keith (Southend)G" writes
Must be lovely living in a village Jim in this sort of weather, but
part of course this is one of the drawer backs. It's similar to the
moaners with regards to Southend Airport expansion, the airports been
there longer than most of us, so why buy a house near it?

Keith (Southend)
http://www.southendweather.net
"Weather Home & Abroad"


I don't live in a village Keith, our nearest neighbour is two miles
away, the village four miles, neither am I an incomer, or 'comeover' as
they're called here. My current house is very near (downhill) from
where I was born and raised. The old family croft was long abandoned,
in part because of harsh winters in the 40s, 50s and 60s, and is now a
ruin.

Granted I was away in England for too many years but I've been home for
the last twenty and knew exactly what to expect in a bad winter -
hardship. Unlike the urban snow warriors, or former urban snow warriors
now comfortably in a village, I'm confident that I'm fully in tune with
country people. None of them want this sort of weather, my very good
mate is a hill sheep farmer, it's hard enough at the best of times. The
last thing he needs are dead pregnant ewes in a snow drift, that's what
I've been doing for two days now digging sheep out of the killer drifts.

Funnily enough I know of no country people either who find solace in the
alleged killing off of ticks etc., they'll all be back regardless. Yet
another urban snow warrior myth. It's also no joke digging winter veg
out of frozen ground. It's only townies who get excited about snow and
ice, that's guaranteed, people who live off the land couldn't give a
monkeys if the snow was measured at 15cm or 15.5cm deep, or if the
temperature hits a record low, they just want a thaw.

Anyway I've said enough, I know I come across as a killjoy, which I'm
not at heart. The bizarre (plagiarism again, sorry Tudor) obsession
with snow and cold by townies just exasperates me sometimes. Still you
don't know about the real hardship winter can bring, that's
understandable, why should you? No more from me on the subject.

--

Jim

You make a lot of good points Jim, but I have to take you to task on
this one:

On 2010-12-20, Jim Kewley wrote:
It's only townies who get excited about snow and
ice, that's guaranteed, people who live off the land couldn't give a
monkeys if the snow was measured at 15cm or 15.5cm deep, or if the
temperature hits a record low, they just want a thaw.

I'm country born and bred. Wouldn't move to a town if I could possibly
avoid it. Nearest neighbours 300 yards away. Currently "snowed in" by
most people's reckoning, but if I need to go out, I simply put the snow
chains on the car, and with winter tyres I should be fine (except if I
encounter too many ill-equipped idiots on the road - which is the main
reason I don't go out unless I have to). Yes, I find that fun!

Adrian, currently under about 7" snow, temperature (at 11:38 am) -4.6°C.
Wind has picked up today making it feel very cold outside.
12 miles ESE Aberystwyth, 260m/860ft asl.
Webcams and live weather at http://users.aber.ac.uk/ais/weather/

In message , Adrian
writes
You make a lot of good points Jim, but I have to take you to task on
this one:

On 2010-12-20, Jim Kewley wrote:
It's only townies who get excited about snow and
ice, that's guaranteed, people who live off the land couldn't give a
monkeys if the snow was measured at 15cm or 15.5cm deep, or if the
temperature hits a record low, they just want a thaw.

I'm country born and bred. Wouldn't move to a town if I could possibly
avoid it. Nearest neighbours 300 yards away. Currently "snowed in" by
most people's reckoning, but if I need to go out, I simply put the snow
chains on the car, and with winter tyres I should be fine (except if I
encounter too many ill-equipped idiots on the road - which is the main
reason I don't go out unless I have to). Yes, I find that fun!


I've no argument with any of that Adrian, funny thing is up to October
09 we always had a 4x4. I enjoy driving and find 4x4s abysmal, the wife
got tired of my moans about the big wallowing b*st*rd. Seemed like a
bad time to get rid of it but with winter tyres fitted to a large, rear
wheel drive estate, I find no real difference to the 4x4 on snowy/icy
roads.

Winter tyres do a sterling job, it's interesting how the Brit Isles are
full of 4x4s yet countries with regular harsh winters, tend to prefer
winter tyres on ordinary cars. Obviously a 4x4 with winter tyres is a
better prospect than a car but how many 4x4s are fitted with the
appropriate tyres?

--

Jim

On 2010-12-21, Jim Kewley wrote:
Winter tyres do a sterling job, it's interesting how the Brit Isles are
full of 4x4s yet countries with regular harsh winters, tend to prefer
winter tyres on ordinary cars. Obviously a 4x4 with winter tyres is a
better prospect than a car but how many 4x4s are fitted with the
appropriate tyres?

It strikes me that one way to encourage the use of winter tyres is to
say that snow covered roads are closed to any vehicle without them. I
recall last January driving back from Switzerland, getting to about 10
miles from home, and being advised by the police that I should not go
down a road, due to the snow. They said they couldn't stop me, because
technically it wasn't closed. I pointed out that I had winter tyres, and
snow chains with me in case I needed them. They didn't seem interested.
I ignored their advice (well, there was no alternative if I was to get
home); the road was no problem at all.

Adrian