abendgules (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
abendgules) wrote2009-02-02 09:59 am
abendgules) wrote2009-02-02 09:59 am
Isn't it gorgeous? :-)
London is getting up to six inches of snow - started last night, continuing into tomorrow. There's about three-four inches fallen already.
It's beautiful - mild and cool outside, perfect snowman weather. I took pictures of our little yard and our close covered in snow.
This would be no problem in Canada - ok, a bit of a dump, like the first big snowfall of winter, have to wait for the plows to get round the 401, but not a big deal.
Now picture the same conditions, in a densely packed city of 7million(?), where not a soul owns winter boots or a snowshovel.
Cars here are completely innocent of ice scrapers (I had to describe one to my office mate), snow tires ('oh, the things with chains, right?'), antifreeze for the windshield, or winter oil.
Actually I exaggerate - I own winter boots, and I've seen a couple of people arrive at work who look like they're wearing their hiking kit.
My commute was blissful, actually - no buses at all (all London buses are cancelled today) few cars, almost no fumes even at the busy intersections, and a clear run up my arm of the Northern line.
However, 10/11 Tube lines are down or partly down, so I was very lucky. I'd be SOL going into the centre of the city.
So far I'm one of four in the office, out of about 17.
It's beautiful - mild and cool outside, perfect snowman weather. I took pictures of our little yard and our close covered in snow.
This would be no problem in Canada - ok, a bit of a dump, like the first big snowfall of winter, have to wait for the plows to get round the 401, but not a big deal.
Now picture the same conditions, in a densely packed city of 7million(?), where not a soul owns winter boots or a snowshovel.
Cars here are completely innocent of ice scrapers (I had to describe one to my office mate), snow tires ('oh, the things with chains, right?'), antifreeze for the windshield, or winter oil.
Actually I exaggerate - I own winter boots, and I've seen a couple of people arrive at work who look like they're wearing their hiking kit.
My commute was blissful, actually - no buses at all (all London buses are cancelled today) few cars, almost no fumes even at the busy intersections, and a clear run up my arm of the Northern line.
However, 10/11 Tube lines are down or partly down, so I was very lucky. I'd be SOL going into the centre of the city.
So far I'm one of four in the office, out of about 17.
no subject
I think your office mate must be completely clueless because almost everyone I know who owns a car has one of these, my Dad even used to have one in Melbourne for the four days a year it was frosty enough to need one. As far as I am concerned antifreeze in the windscreen is standard practise. (Ok call it windscreen washer fluid if you like but its antifreeze.)
Snow tires and winter oil would be plane silly here and too expensive.
That said Durham council should be sacked outright for not gritting... with an accurate forcast of snow three days out it is criminal that they didn't. I know wiltshire was well and truly gritted because I managed to get stuck behind the truck on the way out last night.
The snow is only just getting underway here in Bristol so the evening drive home will be interesting but hopefully easy enough provided they can keep the trucks from jack knifing.
no subject
no subject
All-season tires aren't beyond the scope of reason...I chatted to another Cdn in town has them, here, in the UK. So they're apparently available.
Contrary to popular belief here, 'winter tires' are *not* always studded or chained. They're deep-tracked, and work well in snow, wet and ice.
My officemate is a bit naiive, but I've explained Cdn winter prep for cars a dozen times, and it's always news to someone.
no subject
I know that winter tires are not studded or the application of chains (I've used chains to go to the snow in Australia) but winter tires wear faster in the summer and aren't the best for those conditions.
As I generally only need one set of tires each year spending £200.00 before winter for an extra set of tires the one day of the year I might have trouble when I get nothing in return seems rather unnecessary.
I agree if it was a more regular event and not so exceptional that I would get in trouble at work well then I would agree winter tires would be a must. Its all about optimising the return.
I agree though with someones comment somewhere else. Really we should be more honest about what we are doing, which is why I have started to post about this stuff.