Followers

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Chaos........



Why is it when it snows in England the whole place grinds to a halt?

When I got up this morning there was a three inch covering of snow everywhere.   I hate driving in snow but as it was forecast I thought the gritters would have been out and as soon as I got onto the main road from our little cul-de-sac it would be fine.  How wrong was I?

I set off at my usual time of 7.30 a.m., the main road had not been gritted but at least the traffic was moving.  My route to work (usually a 15 minute journey) ended at 7.40 a.m. when the traffic became gridlocked, mainly because of parked and abandoned cars.    I (and others) was stuck going up a steep hill with nowhere to go because traffic was still coming down the hill with nowhere to go.  

In desperation I phoned my son who lives not far from where I was stranded because I knew he was at home, and good lad that he is he came to my rescue.        He marched to the top of the hill,  managed to stop more traffic coming down, got the cars that were stuck on the downward journey to back up onto the main road and posted a sentry to stop more cars coming down.   He then helped the traffic in front of me to get up the hill, there were quite a few women in front of me who were terrified of trying to get their cars up the hill and were almost crying - he drove their cars.    He then came back for me and got me home, finally, at 10.00a.m.


He's my hero!!

Whilst stuck in the traffic I got a phone call to say the school where I work is shut because of the snow so I don't have to worry about not being able to get there.     I'm making good use of my day off by wrapping my Christmas presents and catching up on blogging.

Hope you're not stranded anywhere!

28 comments:

Anndi said...

There's something funky going on... we here have yet to see more than a sprinkling and you're getting three inches (not that I'm complaining, mind you)? Wow!

Have any plans to make a snowman?

Unknown said...

Ah! The joys of winter. I too get annoyed when the snow flies and we have to sit and wait it out with nothing to do but let our thoughts get the best of us. It sounds as if you finally unwound and are back to some kind of normality.

Reiki Blessings to you.

buffalodick said...

As we get pasted with snow from November thru March, we have masses of plows, salt trucks, and sanders.... Our main roads get cleared pretty quick- unless it's 6-10" snowfall!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh what a good son!!! yay for you! tell him i am proud of him!

enjoy your day off my friend!

smiles, bee
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Dumdad said...

Your son's quite a guy!

Linda said...

Your son sounds to be a hero to quite a few people - a big pat on the back to him for being a good citizen and son!

I didn't think that you got much snow in England? At least that's what Claire led me to believe when we were discussing the weather over there.

I'm rather dreading the first snowfall over here as no doubt everyone will have forgotten how to drive it over the course of the winter and they will be all over the place. Ugh!

I think they're predicting possible snow for this coming Sunday so I guess we shall see.

Enjoy your free day!!

cheshire wife said...

Well done to your son. I do not think that I can be too far from you and we are snow free, at present, but very cold.

Pam said...

well done to your son, ake. our weather has been strange. no snow, but FOG. picked up my girls from airport yesterday and as i neared home the fog was thick. i drove really slow. lol

Akelamalu said...

Anndi I hate snow and the last thing I want to do is make a snowman! However Nick (eldest son who saved me today) made a snowman before he came to the rescue! :)

I was OK once I got home Dave, I'm just dreading tomorrow! I think I'll stay in bed:(

6 - 10 foot? Geez Buff we'd never cope here!

He is a good son Bee and a totally practical person, I'm so proud of him. :)

He is Dumdad :)

A lot of people were grateful to Nick today Linda. We don't usually get heavy snow but there's more forecast this week. :0

I'm near Rochdale Cheshire Wife so not very far awar from you at all but you're lucky you missed it! Unless you like it of course?

We had fog last week Ciara. I even prefer fog to snow! :(

tony said...

Yea,Much The Same Here In Hebden Bridge.
I can remember when they gritted the Pavements! Fat Chance These Days!
They Say Thursday is going to be Bad Too?

Daryl said...

Its not JUST England .. its everywhere .. for some reason inclement weather causes normally sensible people to act foolishly ... nevertheless your son IS a hero!

:-Daryl

Catch said...

Akela...what a great young man you raised there! He not only rescued you, he helped everyone out! I bet Santa will be extra good to him this year!!! Hope you are making the most of your day off......huggles

TBM said...

Oh my goodness! We had a tiny bit of frost this morning but now snow.

What a lovely son your have :-)

Marshall Family said...

on no! well done to your son for being able to sort it out.

We had some snow today, it didn't last long and melted instantly, we were all so disapointed :(

bigbikerbob said...

Hi, Just the tiniest bit of frost here in Devon but snow, no chance I'm afraid, we love it.

Anndi said...

You did a most excellent job raising Nick.

Dr.John said...

You have one great son there. Three inches here doesn't stop anything. But six inches might.
I bet the school kids were happy.

Cloudia said...

A cozy snow bound day! I'm so jealous ;-)
Your son sounds a HERO!! Folks like that make life bearable. Those motorists who were crying - imagine all the stress in their dear lives. You and your family DID something. I'm proud that you are my friend. aloha, indeed!

Robin said...

ake - first, thank you so much for your caring words to me...and Chad. i still can't believe he's gone, it's very difficult for me but your thoughtfulness helps ease the pain a bit.

your son was great..how lucky you are! i hate snow and as far as i'm concerned, if it's gonna snow, at least it should snow enough to get me a day off work. hope you enjoyed your day.

Ron said...

HOLY COW!!!

Ok...you know ME...I LOVE snow, but we've YET to get anything more than a light sprinkle!!!

So, I jealous.

tee, hee!

And BRAVO to your rescue son!!

I hope you enjoyed your day off and stayed inside nice and cozy, listening to Christmas songs, while drinking some nice hot tea!

Enjoy your evening, dear lady!

Mimi Lenox said...

I LOVE snow but am sorry you were in such a scary situation. I can just see you sitting there facing that hill. Must have been awful!

Glad you're safe and warm. Is school closed tomorrow too?

Akelamalu said...

Crikey they don't even grit the roads in time now do they Tony? :(

Nice to know it's not just here Daryl. My son is the best! :)

He is a good lad Catch (I say lad he's 37!). Had a lovely day off and got another one tomorrow because there's more snow forecast!. :)

It's amazing how places so close can be vastle different weatherwise isn't it JAPRA?

Sorry you were disappointed Emmie you can have the next lot of ours that they've forecast for tonight/tomorrow! :)

I wished I lived in Devon if you don't get snow Bikerbob ;)

Thank you Anndi xx

An inch here causes chaos Dr. John! The kids were ecstatic!

Nick is a very practical man and was glad to help, though ultimately he just wanted to rescue his Mum Cloudia ;)

You're welcome Robin I was so sad to read of your loss.
I hate snow too - except when it gets me the day off work((wink))

I thoroughly enjoyed me unscheduled day off Ron and I've got another one tomorrow! How good is that? :0

It was scary Mimi I'm not a confident driver in ice/snow so I'm so glad Nick was there to rescue me. School was open today but it's closed tomorrow because there's heavy snow forecast again tonight. :)

CG said...

We always seem to miss out on the snow!!

buffalodick said...

6 to 10 inches, dear....

Suburbia said...

Do you know, the children would love some snow and we haven't even had so much as one flake here! Can you send some down? It looks like you have plenty;)

Anonymous said...

We got only a dusting of snow and still the schools were on a one-hour delay. I'm hpoing for a good solid snow this winter.

Akelamalu said...

I think I'll come and live with you then CG ((wink))

You have 6 - 10 inches Buff??? (wink)

Oh the kids absolutely adore it don't they Suburbia. Even my son who rescued me built 4 snowmen on Tuesday - he's a big kid at heart! :)

Well I hope you get your wish Citizen, as you don't live here. (wink))

storyteller said...

SNOW??? And here I sit praying for rain ... sigh! Such is life ;--)
Hugs and blessings,