Thursday 7 January 2010

Thursday, Snow Day

Those of living in mountainous or chilly climates may find this funny. Anyway, we had snow, some more snow. Britain does not get snow, I don't think we get past the ohh, isn't it pretty thing, and fail to see it as dangerous. Anyway, the upshot is that after anything more than three flakes the whole country grinds to halt and the news reports are just about weather, people stuck in remote pubs, kids on sledges, and the such.

Snowy St Margaret's-at-Cliffe

Well, after many nights of being promised snow, it arrived. It began falling as we drove back from work last night, and continued all evening. Before we went to bed, we agreed to check the main road before we even tried to get to work in the morning.

Snowy dawn at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe

Not much more snow fell overnight, but something like 4 inches on the ground. The inspection of the main road showed that it was sheer ice, and we stood no chance of turning p it on the 'safe' way to Dover. So, we called in and said we might be in work later.

We put the kettle on and had another cup of tea. And second breakfast, like good hobbits, and then watched as dawn came up and daylight brought home how still the morning was. No cars travelled up or down the hill and the windy road was deserted as well, we can just it over the fields from our back room window.

The all new Ford Igloo

A look in the fridge showed us to be short of milk, and so we decided to walk into the village to the shop and see if they had any; it'd be nice to have a walk anyway.

Family Fun

We had to walk in the road as the pavement was over ankle deep in the white stuff. Families we sledging down the main road into the village, in-between the cars, anyway. The shop was out of milk, well, the delivery had not turned up. And so we turned out and went to the churchyard for more pictures of the snow and graves, always picturesque.

St Margaret's-at-Cliffe

We headed back for more hot tea and then to clear the driveway as we would have to do something really heroic; brave Tesco in bad weather, certain panic buying would be in full swing.

We got out of the drive and down our road, up the hill with no problem. The Dover to Deal road was passable, with slush and snow from drifts still in place. Onto the A2 and then onto the trading estate where Tesco was. First shock, lots of space in the car park. We got a trolley and headed in. Next shock; milk! Bread!! Every till open!!! No queues!!!! And petrol in the service station!!!!! And in half an hour we were back home, with enough food for the rest of this week and into next too.

And then an afternoon spent reading the last of the magazines I had left, some messing around online, more tea, and as dusk fell, so did the snow again. Tomorrow we are hoping to drive to Suffolk.

Maybe.

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