Things Noticeable this week - Page 21

**squigg58** · January 5th, 2010, 09:01 PM

In this day and age, with the emphasis being on cheap "reality" TV, why can't we have a programme called "Britain's Got Weather"?

If auditions are to be held, I'd like to nominate one of my neighbours who seems incapable of coping with a bit of snow.

Picture the scene ... half an inch of snow and a car parked on a slightly sloping driveway. Neighbour climbs into the car, starts it up, warms the engine, clears the windows, engages reverse, stalls, abandons the attempt and makes a call on her mobile phone. Ten minutes later, a car turns up, so neighbour jumps in and off they go. Fifteen minutes later, a 4X4 turns up, and neighbour jumps out of the passenger side. 4X4 driver climbs out and attaches a tow rope to the back of the "stranded car". Neighbour climbs into her own car, starts it up, engages reverse and is "towed" all of ten feet up to the top of the slight incline. Meanwhile, I'm sitting in my study, working on the computer, watching the pantomime, and pissing myself laughing!

I went out about half an hour later ... same sloping drive, same snow (but a rear-wheel drive sports car) ... not a problem! The main roads were clear, the buses were running, all the shops were open ... and for the second time I ended up peeing myself laughing. Outside a nearby school, loads of kids were milling around, two school buses were parked outside the gates, there was a queue of cars parked along the road ... and a number of teachers were there, explaining to the pupils and parents that the school was closed!!!! WHY?

**squigg58** · January 5th, 2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswald

Apparently it's the worst winter for 30 years - in the UK.

"Temperatures will barely top freezing during the day, with London set to be the warmest at 3C. Manchester could possibly touch 1C, Glasgow will hover around 0C and Cardiff 2C."
Oh no! Fetch the huskies! We're doomed!

"Should conditions continue in a similar vein then by March we might just be looking back at one of the coldest winters of the last 100 years."
What ... IF it stays this cold for two more months, it might be a record? FFS!

**marlon** · January 5th, 2010, 09:34 PM

Outside in my garden it was -6c last night when I put the rubbish out, average daytime today reported as -5c and it also hit -16c in Aberdeen. Obviously hasn't hit where you are squigg58!

**Oswald** · January 5th, 2010, 09:49 PM

Whilst we are freezing here in the UK in South Africa - Cape Town actually - it's been boiling hot and humid with the temperature of 36C degrees.

**squigg58** · January 5th, 2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlon

Obviously hasn't hit where you are squigg58!

Nope!

The temperature has struggled to get above freezing (in fact, it only felt slightly warmer when it was actually snowing) and we had about half an inch of the white stuff overnight. Some of the side roads are like sheet ice, and I've had to defrost the car every morning for the past couple of weeks.

... but it is winter!

**palo5** · January 5th, 2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squigg58

Oh no! Fetch the huskies! We're doomed!

Hahahahaha!

You have a real sense of humour

windymiller · January 5th, 2010, 10:02 PM

Ah, come on. You know we all love it. What can be more British than having a good old moan about the weather?

**marlon** · January 5th, 2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squigg58

Nope!

The temperature has struggled to get above freezing (in fact, it only felt slightly warmer when it was actually snowing) and we had about half an inch of the white stuff overnight. Some of the side roads are like sheet ice, and I've had to defrost the car every morning for the past couple of weeks.

... but it is winter!

Yeh same here, its been like that since before Xmas here. The snow made the difference this morning, seven inches may not sound much, but when you're told you'll probably not see any improvement for 10 days - suddenly it interferes with day to day life and causes problems. A couple of days before Xmas is nice - seeing the young kids having their first snow ball fight, etc - but when you're threatened with a few weeks then you start wondering if you can get to work, get food in, guard against frozen pipes, worry about elderly family/friends/neighbours without transport, etc. Just hope the CH doesn't break down! Parts of the south are looking at eleven inches by morning - enjoy!

**Oswald** · January 5th, 2010, 10:21 PM

I have a couple of elderly neighbours and when the weather is freezing and snowy I always check up on them just to make sure everything is fine with them. I call round to see them this morning and they were wrapped up with their heater on drinking plenty of hot tea. If they want any shopping I'll do it for them and check that none of their external water pipes have burst during the freezing night.

**palo5** · January 5th, 2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlon

Outside in my garden it was -6c last night when I put the rubbish out, average daytime today reported as -5c and it also hit -16c in Aberdeen

One dreams of such warmth. I'll bet sweatbands are selling out down there in the sweltering south

January 5th, 2010, 09:34 PM	#203
marlon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Up on the roof Posts: 8,819 Thanks: 36,119 Thanked 341,949 Times in 8,959 Posts	Outside in my garden it was -6c last night when I put the rubbish out, average daytime today reported as -5c and it also hit -16c in Aberdeen. Obviously hasn't hit where you are squigg58! __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* “I don't think it's the nature of any man to be monogamous. Men are propelled by genetically ordained impulses over which they have no control to distribute their seed.” *Marlon Brando*

January 5th, 2010, 09:01 PM	#201
squigg58 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: My own little world Posts: 2,476 Thanks: 14,113 Thanked 25,970 Times in 2,473 Posts	In this day and age, with the emphasis being on cheap "reality" TV, why can't we have a programme called "Britain's Got Weather"? If auditions are to be held, I'd like to nominate one of my neighbours who seems incapable of coping with a bit of snow. Picture the scene ... half an inch of snow and a car parked on a slightly sloping driveway. Neighbour climbs into the car, starts it up, warms the engine, clears the windows, engages reverse, stalls, abandons the attempt and makes a call on her mobile phone. Ten minutes later, a car turns up, so neighbour jumps in and off they go. Fifteen minutes later, a 4X4 turns up, and neighbour jumps out of the passenger side. 4X4 driver climbs out and attaches a tow rope to the back of the "stranded car". Neighbour climbs into her own car, starts it up, engages reverse and is "towed" all of ten feet up to the top of the slight incline. Meanwhile, I'm sitting in my study, working on the computer, watching the pantomime, and pissing myself laughing! I went out about half an hour later ... same sloping drive, same snow (but a rear-wheel drive sports car) ... not a problem! The main roads were clear, the buses were running, all the shops were open ... and for the second time I ended up peeing myself laughing. Outside a nearby school, loads of kids were milling around, two school buses were parked outside the gates, there was a queue of cars parked along the road ... and a number of teachers were there, explaining to the pupils and parents that the school was closed!!!! WHY?

January 5th, 2010, 09:49 PM	#204
Oswald Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13,112 Thanks: 51,073 Thanked 282,469 Times in 13,802 Posts	Whilst we are freezing here in the UK in South Africa - Cape Town actually - it's been boiling hot and humid with the temperature of 36C degrees.

January 5th, 2010, 10:02 PM	#207
windymiller Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 298 Thanks: 1,457 Thanked 2,842 Times in 294 Posts	Ah, come on. You know we all love it. What can be more British than having a good old moan about the weather?

January 5th, 2010, 10:21 PM	#209
Oswald Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13,112 Thanks: 51,073 Thanked 282,469 Times in 13,802 Posts	I have a couple of elderly neighbours and when the weather is freezing and snowy I always check up on them just to make sure everything is fine with them. I call round to see them this morning and they were wrapped up with their heater on drinking plenty of hot tea. If they want any shopping I'll do it for them and check that none of their external water pipes have burst during the freezing night.