Weather

[Grahamh]

Down here in North Dorset it's the same. The windward side of the house is a solid sheet of ice - inc the windows, never seen that before. Snow has drifted to some 2 feet in places and then covered with sheet ice. No good trying to get milk etc as everywhere was sold out yesterday! Caravan service tomorrow cancelled. All roads solid sheet ice. Son wants to go sledding so got them out and polished runners. 4 layers and boots then off to local large hill to risk all Then back home for a glass (or 2 ) of blackberry wine in front of roaring woodburner. happy days

 

[Raywood]

It may be famous last words but Glasgow now seems to have seen the back of the worst weather but it is still very cold and was very windy last night. Looks hopeful for the next few days for us.
Not sure there is anything you can do with a frozen water container but let it thaw out gradually and keep your fingers crossed. I accept you would not want it in the caravan but possibly the site has somewhere they can let you put it in the warm.

 

[otherclive]

I have just ventured outside to check on the water barrels and both are frozen. The one has the expensive supposedly insulated cover which was bought for in excess of £30 from a place that specialises in making these covers!
Can any one make a suggestion how to defrost the barrels as we probably cannot bring them into the caravan?

Take them into the shower block or park manager may have somewhere safer like boiler room. Take handbrake off caravan if it’s on. Although by now it too may be frozen if there was damp when you arrived.

Insulated covers no matter how thick only give limited protection as the wind chill cools them down to ambient but they will delay the cooling of the contents. But for prolonged sub zero weather best to keep aquaroll at minimum and take it all in at night. We carry a 10 litre container with a tap on it so we can use that indoors as required.

 

[jallin]

Graham - we too have had our caravan service cancelled....I think the drifts of snow are causing huge problems right across the country. Here in the Peak District it has caused roads to be impassable, ploughs are mowing into parked cars concealed under the drifts and public transport - trains and buses have stopped until further notice....Wine in front of the log burner later sounds mighty fine!

 

[Buckman]

I have just ventured outside to check on the water barrels and both are frozen. The one has the expensive supposedly insulated cover which was bought for in excess of £30 from a place that specialises in making these covers!
Can any one make a suggestion how to defrost the barrels as we probably cannot bring them into the caravan?

Take them into the shower block or park manager may have somewhere safer like boiler room. Take handbrake off caravan if it’s on. Although by now it too may be frozen if there was damp when you arrived.

Insulated covers no matter how thick only give limited protection as the wind chill cools them down to ambient but they will delay the cooling of the contents. But for prolonged sub zero weather best to keep aquaroll at minimum and take it all in at night. We carry a 10 litre container with a tap on it so we can use that indoors as required.

The roads around the park are like sheet ice and dangerous to walk on at present. Warden has been around checking on people to make sure they are okay which I think is a very nice gesture.
Luckily we had the sense to remove the water pump last night. Anyway took a "rod" and poked it into the barrel and the ice is only at the top and about 1/2" thick.
Stuck the pump in and filled up the onboard tank to 90% so enough water for another day. Probably only wash the dishes tomorrow and have a very quick shower tomorrow morning. We have 2 x 5litre bottles of water in the caravan so not issue there.

 

[Grahamh]

Tried to reschedule but cannot get a slot till 24th April! Have gone to another place and now scheduled for 5th April. ( Elddis specify 60 days either side of anniversary). Unfortunately new engineer is VAT registered :-( If I wasn't already retired I'd consider caravan servicing as a new career stream;-)

 

[Mel]

Thanks Parksy that's exactly my point - schools are for educating not for working families "childcare" as the thread stated earlier. Hence my use of the term in inverted commas!!! Just like hospitals schools are bound by many rules which are for the safety of our young people eg 1 teacher to 30 infant pupils etc which I am sure parents/grandparents will all support schools with. My response was to try and encourage people to see that schools do not close without having very good reason and decisions have to be made with the best information possessed at the time with the safety of pupils and staff as paramount. Less pressure on emergency services/hospitals if people don't ignore warnings and make unnecessary trips.

Just to clarify my original post which seems to have proven controversial:
1. Parents have to find childcare when schools close: I did not mean, or indeed state, that schools' primary purpose was to provide childcare.
2. I made no value judgement as to whether it was right or wrong that schools close, simply that when they do close, working parents then have to make childcare arrangements.
3. My post was in response to a previous post indicating that the weather conditions should not necessarily stop people getting to work. My aim was to point out that it was not as straightforward as that.
4. I believe that closure of public services is a decision that is never taken lightly, and that Head teachers and the rest of us who work in the public sector frequently get it in the neck when having to make risk based decisions.
5. Yes, I remember a simpler time, but sadly we no longer live in it.
Hope this is clearer.
Mel

 

[jallin]

Hi Mel
Apologies if I misunderstood your post - I think it may have been the result of a very stressful day where honestly you would not believe the response of people when you have to make the decision to close which is a real last resort. Despite living in the Peak District, I can count on one hand the amount of times we have had to close (which is good going!) but you can never do right for everyone. Some say you should make the decision early, some say later. Some want you closed, some don't.....and so it goes on. On the news came criticism of school closures and it can be frustrating as it is the last thing we want to do. After all we are judged on the results and outcomes of the children so we certainly don't want to miss any time. Apologies if I misunderstood.

 

[Trevormc]

Well Iv'e started something.
Yes I did venture forward after a call to the site owner and travelled on Wednesday, roads were dry and not a lot of snow lying anywhere. Here I'm looking at green fields with a dusting of snow in small patches.
Parksy from Willenhall 56 miles into Cheshire with no problems.
On site here I have frozen water containers so have a stock pile of water inside the van, may be able to use the containers from the weekend.

Trevor

 

[Mel]

No worries Jallin, you must have had a (insert industrial language here) awful week.
Mel

 

[Craigyoung]

Regarding the weather some people are just thick and rude as I've been out in this weather all week from 5 a.m. every morning driving the bus , managed to get out , awkward and dangerous in places, got the bus stuck the other day on a hill for 25 minutes yet still turning up for people to go where they need to be , one or two still gets on asking why are you late!! just gotta bite your tongue!! Even had to stop the bus today to push people out of the way in streets for me to get past ! that's how nice I am !!

 

[Hutch]

Well down here in Rural Milton Keynes, the snow has been not too bad the last couple of days, but since this morning its been getting heavier and the temp has risen to about minus 5 so its really laying thick, I ventured out this morning and was pleased to note that my Sante fe, with Knokian Weatherproofs on performed lovely, one bit of country road about 4 to 6 inches deep, just not a problem. BUT The snow is getting worse.
If anyone is near Junction 13 on the M1, and need a stop over, there is a Cl site about a mile from the motor way near a hotel , towards Newport Pagnell that is open.
Moulsoe buildings farm cl site. Wychelm cottage, MK16 0JA. 01908 615137
Drive safe all.

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Hutch
Been out in our SF this morning,was doubtful whether it would cope, but went everywhere I wanted and as good as the old Shogun, very impressed, although the 5 ft deep drift did mean a turn around and early finish.

 

[Hutch]

Hi Hutch
Been out in our SF this morning,was doubtful whether it would cope, but went everywhere I wanted and as good as the old Shogun, very impressed, although the 5 ft deep drift did mean a turn around and early finish.

It's all down to driving style and tyres as well, I had to make one detour when the person infront decided to polish the hill ahead into ice in a Mini, waited about 15 mins for him to reverse but he just kept on polishing the road.
Craig does the Bus company let you take it home at night so you don't have to walk into work.

 

[Craigyoung]

.

 

[Craigyoung]

It's all down to driving style and tyres as well, I had to make one detour when the person infront decided to polish the hill ahead into ice in a Mini, waited about 15 mins for him to reverse but he just kept on polishing the road.
Craig does the Bus company let you take it home at night so you don't have to walk into work.

Yes hutch there is some right plonkers out out there who just don't know how to drive and when to stop trying when they can't get anywhere fast as for the bus it gets parked up on a night time at the depot.
I normally ride my bike into work but at the minute it has Road tyres on and is parked up for a few days till the snow goes , maybe back out next week if the roads start to clear.

 

[otherclive]

A neighbour known as Richard Head found it difficult to reverse his 520 off of his drive. After fetching some cardboard out of the wheelie bin he proceeded to slide it under his back wheels. They took it in, the car moved backwards. Fortunately it hit a conifer tree but not before bowling Richard backwards onto the ground. Luckily the large conifer at the side of the drive stopped the car before it carried on over him. Shouldn’t leave autos in Drive especially if you get out of them!

 

[Gabsgrandad]

"Brown " snow drifts in our village! nothing common here!

 

[Gafferbill]

Towed 250 miles today on motorways with very little traffic and no snow

........the A43 and A3 to Valencia Spain

 

[ProfJohnL]

Towed 250 miles today on motorways with very little traffic and no snow

........the A43 and A3 to Valencia Spain

But your on the wrong side of the road hmy: :woohoo: :side:

 

[Gafferbill]

..........no I'm doing the driving on the right side of the road but not necessarily all the time in the right order :silly:

With due acknoledgement of the great Eric Morecambe.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I can't bear to think what you'll drive like on the continent, I think they drive on the wrong side of the road :huh:

 

[VicMallows]

Towed 250 miles today on motorways with very little traffic and no snow

........the A43 and A3 to Valencia Spain

Continuous heavy rain and high winds for last 2 days near Motril. Easing here today, but think it is heading your way Everyone talking about 'worst winter for years' in southern Spain and Portugal. Still, we keep our spirits up by listening to the events at home on Radio Solent!

 

[Gafferbill]

........just spent 3 weeks in Torrox Costa in glorious sunshine.
We were due to leave for Valencia as storm Emma hit .......as you say very heavy rain just as we left.
Weather forecast for Valencia is good for coming week

 

[Dustydog]