Page 11 of 12
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 6:31 pm
by Dave-R
7.5 hours from Surrey to home during rush hour in Newcastle.
The TomTom came up with the best route home. M25 clockwise as far as the problem area then across to the M40 and up the A43 to join the M1 higher up. Then M18 and A1 as usual.
The problem was half way up the M40 we stopped at a services for a toilet break and it started snowing heavy. By the time we got back to the Jeep the car park was jam packed with people struggling to get out. It took us an hour to get back onto the Motorway.
Then after that the M40 and A43 were really bad with snow. It was lying right across all the lanes. They must not have gritted it enough.
Once onto the M1 though it was no problem. Just heavy traffic as usual.

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 6:33 pm
by TyreFryer
Yes I missed a trick there didn't I Pete, I was thinking of getting an NSPCC box or something to keep handy this year?
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 6:36 pm
by TyreFryer
Dave wrote:It was lying right across all the lanes. They must not have gritted it enough.
I heard the other day that once it gets to -9 the gritting has no effect?
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 6:52 pm
by Blue
Yes I believe that's the case, might even be a bit warmer than that. It was -10 when I went to work at 5am this morning, never seen a temperature that low around here before. Supposed to be going to Yorkshire for Christmas, but I'm seriously thinking of staying at home if things don't improve in the next couple of days.
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 7:09 pm
by Pete
Hi Blue, Julie cried off, I don't think things are going to get appreciably better in the short term...
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 7:34 pm
by Anonymous
minus 12 here this morning....looks nice, but deadly for wildlife, especially water birds. But the Robin below is determined to see it through, he is the size of a tennis ball and can just about fly!
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 7:36 pm
by Anonymous
I tried counting the Finches yesterday, there were at least 150. In this shot there are 81 that can be seen, waiting their turn on the feeders.
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 8:08 pm
by Jeff
Week before last hit -28 degrees..... Now settled to an ave. of -6. We have some sunny days forcast for the next few days. Lakes have not frozen yet, that is probably why we have had bad snow conditions. Winter officially starts tomorrow.
I can remember a few years ago... Some of you guys saying "Canada? too freaking cold there"! Ho hum.
Take it easy guys, keeps some supplies in the car, a few tea lights too. Plenty of windshield washer fluid. And keep an eye on your coolant. I didn't, and it glooped up on me, cost me a new water-pump, hoses and a rad. Not nice fitting it in this weather.
If you can afford it.. Snow tyres! The worst snow tyres are better than the best all season tyres. Then you can go have some fun it the snow. But even so, Anne lost the Jeep last year, and we ended up in a 7 foot snowbank. We could not open the doors to get out, the engine compartment was full of snow. The CAA had to pull us out.
Good luck with it! Strange how this all started after we left!

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 8:42 pm
by Jeff
Here is my garden at 3.40 pm today....
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 8:43 pm
by Jeff
I may add that I have been shoveling snow of the roofs today!
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 8:55 pm
by Anonymous
Jeff wrote:I may add that I have been shoveling snow of the roofs today!
Can't you just slam the door, works on You've Been Framed?
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 10 10:49 pm
by drewcrane
Jeff wrote:I may add that I have been shoveling snow of the roofs today!
yea a good idea, have had sheds crushed,
and I went in to the attic in my old house and sure enough, all the center roof trusses were cracked from heavy snow,
keep an eye on your roofs people,especially on the north side

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 10 12:38 am
by TYREMAN
Fantastic pictures Dave but you must be overfeeding them?

is it true fried bread is good for the birds this time of year?
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 10 1:08 am
by Anonymous
Great pictures Adam and Dave
Impressive work with the Jeep Martin He should, at least have given you a prawn ring or something.
I gota get me one of them

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 10 8:34 am
by Anonymous