Winter arrives. Fashionably late

~ beetleypete

Tomorrow is the first of March, so Winter has made an appearance in Norfolk, in case we were silly enough to be expecting Spring. After some light snow for two days this week, it finally got serious during the night. Still falling heavily as I type, and not much above freezing either. So, it is settling, and there is a good six inches or more on the cars, and covering the lawn.

As always, despite warnings of this avalanche from Siberia, this country cannot cope. All the major roads are closed, and most trains have been cancelled. People have been killed in road accidents, and we are advised not to drive anywhere, unless it is ‘essential’. Schools are shut too, as the ‘Health and Safety’ aspects make the authorities worry about children falling over. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that the children given a day off school will be falling over happily elsewhere, as they play out in the snowy countryside.

Just as well I went shopping on Monday. I doubt the online delivery services will be getting through to small villages. When you think of countries like Russia and Canada, coping with ten times as much snow and significantly lower temperatures, it does seem pathetic. In the 21st century, we are shut-in like medieval villagers, with walking the only option.

At least Ollie will enjoy the chance of a romp in the snow later.

67 thoughts on “Winter arrives. Fashionably late”

  2. This was a delightful read, Pete. Medieval villagers was particularly funny. And, the reasons for cancelling school are exactly what children love. I hope Ollie has a grand ole’ time in the snow. How many inches did you get when all was said and done?

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    1. Over on the fields, we had 7-9 inches, drifting in places to three feet deep. Some really remote areas got it a lot worse though. It has moved west for now.
      Glad you enjoyed the post, Jennie.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  4. We’ve had some “wintry weather” in Las Vegas, with highs in the 50° F to 60° F (10° C to 15° C) range. Warmer today, and the sun is out in force! We did have some snow at the higher elevations this past week, and some flakes dropped on the western fringe of the valley (higher elevation than the rest of the valley).

    The last time we saw any snow accumulating in the main valley was on December 18, 2008. That was the most recent snow day for schoolchildren. And it was pathetic compared to a good Missouri snow where school stayed in session! Missouri children can take the snow! They aren’t snowflakes!

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    1. I think the kids here would happily go to school too. But most are collected by coaches that pick up around the villages, and they are not running because of ‘safety issues’.
      Enjoy that 60 F, David, -4 C here.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  5. I’m sorry to hear about Julie Pete. After 13 years, she was made redundant? Lovely way to repay an employee’s loyalty.😡 I hope everything works out for her.

    And the snow! Wow! I saw Paris covered in a couple of weeks ago, then Rome yesterday. And now you guys. Yikes! I wonder how much this is due to climate change.🤔 After the end of December through the first week or two of January, we’ve had a fairly mild winter in New England. It actually reached almost 60 degrees today. We’re getting a ‘Nor easter Friday, but at least it’s going to be in the form of rain.

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    1. Julie could have pushed for a move, but it might have been a difficult journey, so she happily accepted a good deal to go. Things are upside down with the weather for sure. -1 C all day today, and more snow tonight. I posted some photos of the snow earlier.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  8. I got stuck in the Lada Niva this morning, in about 2 foot of drifted snow. So Malina got to ride of the sledge for the first mile (to the tarmac and our little Fiat in a garage by the road) that kept me warm in -13c (9f).
    -10c tomorrow in the day, but I’ll be warm again with a shovel getting the Niva out 🙂 All good fun.

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    1. Makes my concerns fade into nothing, Eduardo. If the Niva got stuck, you definitely need that new tractor mate. I will have to win the lottery soon, so I can buy you one.
      (Only one number last week…)
      Cheers, Pete.

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  9. Oh my! Not ‘better late than never’ in this case! Seattle often ‘shuts down’ in the snow because of all the hills. During my working days, I had a few harrowing experiences of trying to get home from work when the snow started falling midday. Stay warm and cozy inside!

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        1. She was made redundant by the bank, after 13 years. Then she got a new job in January, but didn’t make the cut on the training course. So instead of trying to train her properly, they let her go after 10 days. She is now ‘reviewing her options’. 🙂
          Best wishes, Pete.

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  10. My grandfather maintained the equipment, snow plows, that got the ambulance drivers to work in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. He never said how he got to work, but then he had snowshoes that he also maintained.
    Warmest regards, Theo

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  11. It is strange that the UK isn’t equipped to deal with snow, Pete. We were in England in April 2016 and it was freezing. It snowed. It is cold in England. Our weather is cooling and we are moving from shoestring strapped tops to teeshirts [tee hee!]

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  13. I’m liking the snow ,but have a 4w drive so can get about easy, Phil managed to get to work too, in spite of having a hairdresser’s car 🙂 so we’ve both braved the elements, got to work, done ASDA shop and opticians appointments. I’ll be posting some photo’s of it too of course. We’re still on a amber weather warning for tonight and tomorrow, whatever that means!

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  15. I have been forced to work from home today because of train cancellations. I can see both sides though. It doesn’t snow here that heavily that often and I can imagine that serious snow equipment is very expensive. So if the government spent loads of money on snow equipment everyone would complain bitterly. It’s still very annoying though.

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    1. I think they could have gradually increased expenditure over the years, and maybe stored the equipment against such eventualities. But if the train and bus drivers can’t get into work in the first place, then it’s understandable that they can’t run a service.
      When I was in the Ambulance Service, we were expected to report for duty at the nearest ambulance station, even if it meant walking there. Then we had to drive the ambulances, in any weather. When people ring 999, they probably don’t even wonder about how the crews got into work.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  17. It is real hibernating weather which is good for me as i am off for a couple of days, so no struggling to get to work in the snow. heating on, chilling out.

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  18. In regard to those hearty Canadians Pete – they know how to handle the snow and cold. Half of them spend their Winters here in Florida in comfortable condos on Pompano Beach!

    Regards from sunny warm Florida!

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  19. Could you post pictures to make us dream Pete? I was in London this weekend and it was not snowing yet. Just really cold with a freezin wind along the Thames.

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  20. It takes a full blown blizzard before a school is closed in Canada. I just published a post related to what you said about Canada. Here in Fauquier my wife and I went for a very enjoyable walk in -12 degrees C temperature. Have a great day in your snowy Norfolk, Pete!

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  21. Hope Ollie will allow you to take pictures of playtime today!
    We will eventually feel some of this cold front, but for today and tomorrow, we’re in the high 80’s F. (according to the converter, that should be about 31* C

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  22. As always in London, iced up pavements and only the main roads gritted. So going from the main road into a side street is a bit iffy…..Same same….What would the authorities do if it really really came down ? Cry ?

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