No snow up here for a change, but still bitterly cold & more expected this afternoon. Due to a staffing emergency, I've been working at a small rural school which services two fishing villages. The villages are both at the foot of a cliff (not far from where the film Local Hero was made years ago) and the school is on the road above, a couple of hundred yards from the cliff thankfully, at the base of a very hilly section of the road. On Friday, on the way there, the snow was drifting over the hilly section & was about 18 inches deep on the road - I got halfway up before losing control. With one panicky eye on the clifftop , which suddenly appeared to be a lot closer, I managed to stop my car after it had turned 180 degrees then inched my way back to the bottom. Managed to get over the hill at the second attempt, thanks to my trusty 4by4. At the end of the day, the locals assured me that snowploughs had been clearing the drifting snow off the road at regular intervals during the day, but when I got back on the road to go home, it seemed that they had only cleared one lane - the right hand one at that. Sure enough, when half way up the hill, a truck came the other way - and the impatient bugger driving it expected me to get out of his way. I inched over onto the snow to let him through, couldn't get back onto the cleared part and slid slowly backwards down to the bottom of the hill, crapping myself all the way. If it snows again today, I'll be refusing to go there tomorrow.
Reminds me of the day when living in Northants I had a business appointment in London. Our home was at the top of a hill and I was driving a new company car. Loads of snow in the lanes, but I knew that once I made the main road 3 miles away it should be clear. Edging slowly round the bend as I left the village I could see a car slowly coming towards me. The road is narrow with high banks each side so there was nowhere to go. All wheels on my car were stationary, but I started to slide gently towards him until contact was made. A bit of damage to a headlight on my car and a dent in the front of his. Two days later he was on to my company as he only had third party insurance and couldn't afford the repairs. They gave him a couple of hundred pounds which was just about all his motor was worth, but strangely enough although he claimed to live in my village I never saw him again. Very warm in this part of rural France and I have worked up quite a healthy sweat down the far field. Dusk didn't arrive until 7.30pm last night, so next week it will be an hour later. Even longer days to get fit again.
BB - horrible experience - one I would not have liked to go through - just about the worst I ever faced was a few years ago when it snowed heavily in Watford and I crawled home from near Heathrow and finally got to Croxley and the Shell garage at the top of the hill leading down to the Two Bridges. It was just an ice rink and nothing could make it up the hill but the cars going down took it in turns waiting at the top until the car in front slid all the way down to the Two Bridges and then once they moved off the next one slid down - funny how without any police or other intervention everyone knew what to do
I always have mixed feelings about snow - was stranded in Taunton (Somerset) for 2 weeks in Feb. 1978. Nothing was going out of or coming into the town during the entire period (Apart from a helicopter). During those two weeks I met my first wife, and was consequently in Somerset (more or less) for the next 8 years. Oooo aaarrr !
Just when you think that football has reached a new level of strangeness, it finds a new peak. So Sarfend have announced that they will not be renewing the contract of Paul Sturrock at the end of the season and will be announcing the replacement tomorrow. But Sturrock will be leading the team out at Wembley in a few weeks and is expected to still push for promotion - yeah, right on Mr. Chairman!
Yes - someone texted to tell us that it was on. It is just embarrassing now - unfortunately we signed over royalties for repeats "throughout the universe and for all time on all media types" (not kidding) Means we will get mobbed in Tesco again tomorrow - oh the price of fame lol
Evening all. It seems we have missed most of the snow here. Which is a good thing. However, I wouldn't mind a trip onto the hallowed turf or the free tickets which came with it. I hope all are well and happy. I have just found an old friend, who I havent spoken to in about 5 years, on facebook. Its a great feeling getting back in touch. Especially after the fun times we shared.
Morning all from a chilly West West London - it was -2C in bandit country when I left and there was still a covering of snow and ice. I cannot wait to hear that little weasel faced rat Hollway's rant about Vydra winning POTS.... Thanks in advance for the frothy AK.
Sæl öll. Cappuccino, coffee, tea donuts and fruit are on the bar. Frothy cappuccinos for for al, HH, Leon and W_Y A peppermint cappuccino for DanH Coffee and cramel frapachino for IB Coffees for COYH, Frenchie, Kev rob theo and vic-rijrode Strong coffee for Sandy Milky coffee for Yorkie Espresso for SuffolkHorn Strong black coffees for Bragi Norway and zen Black coffee half hot half cold and no sugar for Charlie Tea for BHD Cornish Mark jsybarry jerzeypie Lloydinio NZ and BCFCRed Tea with skimmed milk and no sugar for GG Hot chocolate with marshmallows for BBW Caramel latte for Hornette and Maestro Una paloma for Mexican Hornet The photograph is good parking. -8C this morning and the sun is up already. Best wishes to Matej Vydra for his prize.
A warm and sunny -4 here at lunchtime outside on the heli pad, thw wind chill is a bit bracing though another 0 or 2 on Mattys next transfer fee (if outside the trinity). Well done Mr Vydra stick it up the palarse and hollowhead.
Morning all, safely back from Southport and both journeys were surprisingly easy. Luckily a lot of people were scared to drive so the roads were pretty clear. Glad to see Vydra winning 'player of the season', maybe it will give him that much needed boost to get back to scoring again.
Good day all, I am glad to say that here where ever you look Spring has arrived. I really do feel sorry that so many people are suffering from the bad weather, but there is hope. One story I have read suggests that when the cold spell finishes a heatwave will follow. I am hoping that all of our players return from international duty uninjured. There is not long for them to recover before Friday comes.
