Friday 3 December 2010

Snow

Snow all around, as far as the eye can see, only that isn't very far when it's coming down so fast that you can't see the hills. All the plant pots have tall sparkling bonnets. There are powder puffs on the fence posts and any car that stays put for a day is snuggled under a snow duvet. Temperatures rarely rise above freezing. There are icicles hanging from the traffic lights.

Roads are dangerous, schools are closing, public transport is disrupted, and for two days there was no bread in the shops because the supplies weren't getting through. On Wednesday, a journey that should have taken Lovely Older Son half an hour lasted from eleven until well after three. People have been sleeping overnight in cars, trains, and lorries because nothing could move. Somewhere near Sheffield, the local Methodists have opened their church to provide shelter, food, sleeping accommodation, etc to all who need it and about seventy lorry drivers stayed there until they could move on.

It's only about six inches here, but in parts of Yorkshire, Northumberland and Scotland it's far worse. My sister in Northumberland now has waist deep snow. The forecast is for a slushy weekend, then more snow and ice.

It's dangerous, wet, freezing, and so, so beautiful. And the children will never tire of it.

No comments: