Early Risers.

[NGT6 1315]

In my experience (ouch) they try to sever your fingers, too.

 

I see the basis for a slasher film in there: "Attack of the Loft Ladders!"

[AndyB]

Of course the real California is in Norfolk, next door to Scratby. 

 

We used to go there a lot when I was a kid - schoolmates were envious.....

 

Where’s Jock?

 

Best, Pete.

 

Hence one of the Jewish American Princess jokes. 

Q. "What's a JAP's favourite wine?"

A. "I wanna go to California!"

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Aft'noon all,

 

A Christmas card from the Staffs Moorlands

 

 

....it would be difficult to film these views at the crack of dawn but this is what this mornings ride route looked like on the way to church at around 11am.

 

Seasonal peace and joy to you all.

 

Dave

Edited December 28, 2014 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[andyram]

Just to clarify a point made in "The Stationmaster's" post (if the children could get there.....) Has it not occurred to him that in many cases the children live in close proximity to the school - in the case of primary schools within walking distance. The teachers do not live on their work doorstep resulting in a longer journey to work!

 

My particular school is in an isolated village, along many roads that are not commonly gritted by the council. Despite this, in the 14 years I have worked there, I can recall only a small number of closures due to the weather.

1 x a lack of grit resulting in dangerous black ice on all paths and roads on site making opening a serious risk.

1 x flood closure when the village was cut off as both access roads were flooded.

1x partial closure due to a lack of heating when only the very youngest children were sent home (staff remained on site).

1 x early closure when snow during the day meant the potential for dangerous driving conditions.

2 x days lost due to snow resulting in some staff not being able to get into school.

 

We have aimed to stay open wherever possible. In some cases staff have left home an hour earlier to ensure they got there!

[big jim]

Had a lie in this morning, working at 16:30 in london bridge, finish at 04:30 then back to my hotel in paddington, just enjoying dinner in the restraunt apart from listening to a domestic going on at the next table!

 

Another lie in tomorrow hopefully before i do a hinksey to claydon jn job tomorrow night then finally home after 4 days (weather dependant!!)

[Danemouth]

Was looking at the Daily Mail website

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2888954/Get-gritters-Britain-braces-coldest-night-year-temperatures-set-plummet-10C-sheet-ice-blanket-country.html

 

Scroll down this article for some lovely NYMR/LMS snow shots!

 

In the meantime I will remain sitting next to the gas fire whilst listening to music and scanning slides.

 

Dave

[jamie92208]

Hence one of the Jewish American Princess jokes. 

Q. "What's a JAP's favourite wine?"

A. "I wanna go to California!"

On a cruise to Alaska that same one was told by the tour guide in Ketchican.

 

Q.  What's the state wine of Alaska?

A.  I wanna go to Hawaii.

 

Jamie

Edited December 28, 2014 by jamie92208

[Smiffy2]

Andy's post puts me in mind of a 'snow day' back in the nineties.

 

To start with it was so cold that my Volvo blew the core plugs out of the block...

I went to Carshalton Station - in a blizzard that made my beard a ball of ice - all trains cancelled.

All buses cancelled.

Went to Wallington Station, where they said a train had just left Carshalton Beeches. It never arrived, and as far as I know was never seen again.

 

Left me with the choice of walking, in a blizzard, eleven miles to school - where there would be no more than the ten kids who lived in the same road. Would probably take above three hours. Then I'd have to walk home again, and be prepared to do the same the next day.

 

That's why teachers get a bit iffy when told they can just pop in to school on snow days.

 

The other bright idea (this was Michael Gove's) was that any teacher who couldn't get into their own school should simply rock up at the school nearest to them (in my case a CofE primary - I was a secondary teacher) and volunteer to take classes. Quite apart from the question of CRB checks, qualifications checks and compatibility, how was that going to work? It rather smacks of the 'open your books to page 27' style of teaching prevalent in the less effective schools in the fifties.

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Not had time to catch up as there's just too much, and not enough time.

 

Yesterday was a bit of a disaster - made the dinner, and after getting all the ingredients into the crock, found that I didn't have any sauce mix, so had to invent something different.  Then went to town, and every shop was heaving - well they had queues at the tills anyway, so only having an hour, and with 15 minutes per queue, didn't get so far.  Also managed to forget the gift cards which we were going to use in a couple of shops.  Then we had seats for the local theatrical production, which started late with no explanation, then had a V E R Y extended interval, after which the front of house manager appeared and told us that a cast member had been taken ill, and that the rest of the production was cancelled (as was the evening peformance).  WHat a write-off of a day.

 

Sorry to say that I've not been able to answer any individual posts as I've not managed to read them.

 

Got to shoot now, as dinner calls.

Regards to All

Stewart

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

 Extremely sneaky black ice this morning. Not enough to trouble motor vehicles, just small patches about the size of a footprint here and there. But a lovely crisp day, we've galloped round the woods and have our meal on the go now.

 

... I think I will have to look seriously at one of those retractable loft ladders that just drop down.

In my experience (ouch) they try to sever your fingers, too.

...Top Tip: If it comes with a handrail don't bother fitting it - it just gets in the way...

 

Having experienced several homicidally inclined devices for the purpose of loft access over the years, on purchasing the current house which had a wrecked loft ladder, I took the time to find a safe one. ABRU, three section heavy duty aluminium job, I think branded as 'Easystow'. It was about the most expensive of the products readily available among the DIY sheds at the time, but I feel that I got what I paid for. Comes down slowly on a counterbalance, very sturdy latches to release and lock the sections, goes back up easily on the counterbalance. My wife positively enjoys using it. No injuries to report.Excellent product, just coming up 20 years service, nary a trouble; and made in the UK too.

 

And I didn't bother fitting the handrail either; used it for a bird feeder post...

[Smiffy2]

When you get older you appreciate the handrail...

[southern42]

Gorgeous sunshine all day - golden landscape out there now.

 

D and SiL out on the snow covered mountains.

Envious?

Been there, done it, T-shirt a distant memory.

Like tea and biscuits in the warmth, on the soft sofa, in front of the telly these days.  HOHOHO.  

Did my Christmas bit in the kitchen. It's now me-time.

 

Hope you get some me-time to enjoy, too.

[trisonic]

Nothing less effective than a closed school. Most of us here did alright in the fifties .

 

How should the Canadians, Russians, northern States of the USA react to Winter - close up shop?

 

They close the schools during “blizzards" but re-open immediately it stops. Our local schools closed for two days after a 3 foot snowfall but that’s extremely rare.

 

What England really needs is a more effective way of dealing with Snow.

 

Best, Pete.

[southern42]

 Extremely sneaky black ice this morning. Not enough to trouble motor vehicles, just small patches about the size of a footprint here and there. But a lovely crisp day, we've galloped round the woods and have our meal on the go now.

 

 

Having experienced several homicidally inclined devices for the purpose of loft access over the years, on purchasing the current house which had a wrecked loft ladder, I took the time to find a safe one. ABRU, three section heavy duty aluminium job, I think branded as 'Easystow'. It was about the most expensive of the products readily available among the DIY sheds at the time, but I feel that I got what I paid for. Comes down slowly on a counterbalance, very sturdy latches to release and lock the sections, goes back up easily on the counterbalance. My wife positively enjoys using it. No injuries to report.Excellent product, just coming up 20 years service, nary a trouble; and made in the UK too.

 

And I didn't bother fitting the handrail either; used it for a bird feeder post...

 

Ice.  I used to look forward to those icy days when we were kids. It was a 10 minute walk to primary school, and on the way there would be long stretches of ice rinks frozen puddles which we would skate slide along to perfection somewhat delaying our arrival at school, although, if I was ever late, it was a rare thing. Now, I'm scared stiff of the stuff.    

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Nothing less effective than a closed school. Most of us here did alright in the fifties .

 

How should the Canadians, Russians, northern States of the USA react to Winter - close up shop?

 

They close the schools during “blizzards" but re-open immediately it stops. Our local schools closed for two days after a 3 foot snowfall but that’s extremely rare.

 

What England really needs is a more effective way of dealing with Snow.

 

Best, Pete.

 

.....if we had enough of it regularly Pete then that would happen but there have been several years where we have had none or very little and this gives the 'bean counters' an opportunity to say that investing in the hardware is a waste of money.

 

Dave

[The Stationmaster]

Just to clarify a point made in "The Stationmaster's" post (if the children could get there.....) Has it not occurred to him that in many cases the children live in close proximity to the school - in the case of primary schools within walking distance. The teachers do not live on their work doorstep resulting in a longer journey to work!

 

My particular school is in an isolated village, along many roads that are not commonly gritted by the council. Despite this, in the 14 years I have worked there, I can recall only a small number of closures due to the weather.

1 x a lack of grit resulting in dangerous black ice on all paths and roads on site making opening a serious risk.

1 x flood closure when the village was cut off as both access roads were flooded.

1x partial closure due to a lack of heating when only the very youngest children were sent home (staff remained on site).

1 x early closure when snow during the day meant the potential for dangerous driving conditions.

2 x days lost due to snow resulting in some staff not being able to get into school.

 

We have aimed to stay open wherever possible. In some cases staff have left home an hour earlier to ensure they got there!

It occurred to me Andy - just that it all seems rather different from the days when I was at school.  Oddly the vast majority of children normally managed to get there - whatever the weather conditions if they happened to live with a couple of miles, which was of course a walkable distance.  However only one had to contend with flooding (his father was the Lock Keeper and they lived in the Lock Keeper's cottage) and at times of bad flooding on the river his dad rowed him to the nearest dry ground and he then only had either a mile or so to walk or, if landed on the opposite bank, a 'bus ride into town.

 

Those of us who were there obviously remember the 1962/63 winter as being exceptional but - as usual then (and not much different nowadays) any council snow clearing effort in our road only came about a month after the stuff fell in quantity and none of the roads (back then) leading down the hill into town, or indeed up another hill to school, were treated with salt or cleared of snow and ice either, we simply got on with it because we had to.

 

Even back in infants school days one or two teachers did not live locally but I remember one - who lived well off the main road about 5 miles from town - who seemed to be able to get to school every day whatever the weather provided either the 'buses were running or a neighbour gave her a (rare) lift.  By secondary school days we probably had more teachers living out of town but they too seemed to manage to get to work albeit late or via very circuitous routes.  Compared with back then, and it is over 40 years since I left school, I get the impression that schools seem to be far more liable to close at the drop of a hat than they did; as I said my secondary school closed for a week in 1963 (due to snow on country roads) and that's the only school closure I can remember due to bad weather - they never closed because the heating had packed up or there was snow and ice on the roads (as was often the case in winter).  And of course we thought nothing, except in bad rain, of walking a mile or more to school while nowadays we see (regularly round here) folk driving their offspring to school over much shorter distances.  However it was also a considerably less litigious society back then so if you slipped over on snow or ice it was regarded as your own silly fault (which in reality is still the case of course).

 

All good practice for work as it happened - spending a night steam lancing points in temperatures of -10C is hardly a picnic but it's the sort of thing we sometimes had to do in order to keep trains running the next day (gas point heaters don't work under heavy snow).

Edited December 28, 2014 by The Stationmaster

[New Haven Neil]

Fraggle Rock today, after the frost melted...

 

[BoD]

.....if we had enough of it regularly Pete then that would happen but there have been several years where we have had none or very little and this gives the 'bean counters' an opportunity to say that investing in the hardware is a waste of money.

 

Dave

Three years ago I bought a snow shovel for a fiver I think it was.

It pains the Scrooge in me that it has never been used.

 

How much more pain would I suffer if I had spent hundreds on one of those fancy snow blower things (which wouldn't have worked anyway because of the wrong kind of slush).

 

The sledge we bought for the grandson remains unused in the loft too.

Edited December 28, 2014 by BoD

[Danemouth]

I remember the 62/63 winter - I was in the 4th form of High School and it was the last winter in old buildings before we moved to new premises.

 

The toilets were outside so the caretaker could only keep enough working for the 5th and 6th form - the rest of us lost two weeks schooling  :yes: :)

 

Then there's the winter of 1982, I had got married the previous year but when the snow started in January I was on a course at the ICL Training Centre near Heathrow.

Drove my Mark V Cortina back to Cardiff, a journey which took 7 hours rather than the normal two - I only went into fourth gear once!

 

Dave

Edited December 28, 2014 by Danemouth

[Ian Hargrave]

Nothing less effective than a closed school. Most of us here did alright in the fifties .

 

How should the Canadians, Russians, northern States of the USA react to Winter - close up shop?

 

They close the schools during “blizzards" but re-open immediately it stops. Our local schools closed for two days after a 3 foot snowfall but that’s extremely rare.

 

What England really needs is a more effective way of dealing with Snow.

 

Best, Pete.

That's been said many,many times but periods of snow & ice are extremely rare and thus a constant state of cold weather readiness is quite simply not cost effective.

[Ian Hargrave]

Returning to the matter of school snow closure,schools in the area in which I spent much of my career were dependant upon bus transport for quite a section of the local area.This often meant safety issues which influenced the bus companies,bearing in mind in a rural community being stuck in a lane with 30 odd kids was not an option.No buses....no school.Staff always made heroic efforts.Everyone tuned in to BBC local radio.They still do and now the web is a powerful means of communication.

 

School closure is never taken lightly and always with the safety of the school community in mind.It is an issue which gets more complex by the year.There is always some local or national luminary ready with advice or criticism.

[Coombe Barton]

This afternoon I'm making a High Level gearbox alternating with reducing the remains of the turkey to stock.

 

And reminding myself, in the week of Sundays, that it actually is Sunday.

[Ian Hargrave]

A1(M) and M1 fully open and stuffed with returning Christmas holidaymakers.Low Fell to Burton took,4 and a half hours as opposed to 3 under normal conditions. Sheffield,S. Yorks & N. Derbyshire looking like a lunar landscape & M1 in both directions as a slow moving car park.Bargain hunters queuing to get off the m.way into Meadowhall ...! ! !.

 

Bravo to the Highways chaps for keeping the traffic flowing. Network Rail did I hear?

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

...What England really needs is a more effective way of dealing with Snow...

The Southern half of England is very problematic, and I have the wisdom of an upstate New York roads department specialist to thank for this insight. Other than the occasional giant economy size quantity long duration dump of the white stuff - of which 62-63 was the most recent example - we don't get huge quantities and/or long lying snow. What we typically get is what North Americans would consider thaw conditions. Relatively small quantity of snow, which does quite a lot of melting before it settles, then melts and refreezes once or twice before it is gone. As he put it, 'those are the conditions that cause the majority of the winter accidents in my part of the world, because it is so unpredictable, and you cannot fit a tyre to suit the conditions either'. (What makes it yet worse in Southern England is that a large proportion of those driving have no experience of these conditions, through very little opportunity to learn, because snow is infrequent.)

 

When it does snow, salt and ploughing on major routes to keep essential traffic flowing and wait for the rest to melt is the sensible response. Stay off the roads unless you are an essential service provider. The investment required for really efficient clearance is disproportionate: I reckon the equipment would stand idle seven years in ten. Better to just accept the small hiatus in activity and resume when the roads are clear enough, two to three days usually.

[bluebottle]

Ice.  I used to look forward to those icy days when we were kids. It was a 10 minute walk to primary school, and on the way there would be long stretches of ice rinks frozen puddles which we would skate slide along to perfection somewhat delaying our arrival at school, although, if I was ever late, it was a rare thing. Now, I'm scared stiff of the stuff.    

 

Now I'm over the three score and ten, I worry more about a fall and the chances of a broken hip, and the more uncertain one is, the greater the chance of that. 

Forty years ago, I tried out a new pair of Adidas cross-country shoes in a race through a foot of snow on the hills of Falkirk's Callendar Park. Seven long spikes screwed into each sole and studs on the heels, and Wow! they lent wings to my feet! Easily my best run in an East of Scotland league race. Mind you, I'm not sure how high my self-confidence would have been if I'd realised during the race that I'd lost several spikes out of each shoe...

So, I'm hoping that today's purchase will make me happier about facing the icy slopes of North Sheffield.