Bad weather and worse drivers

[vilakins]

This is supposed to be the hottest month of the year. We usually go on holiday now or in March, but I'm glad we're going to the UK in late April instead. The weather might even be better there. We've had high winds, flooding, and cold temperatures more suited to May, and yes--another storm is due tomorrow just in time for the weekend.

A storm took out our power last week, and we had another power cut this week. It happened about 10pm, after the high winds we'd had all day had dropped, so we think it was the more usual reason--a drunk driver hitting a power pole. Sigh. I can't wait till they get all the power lines underground and idiots like this prize example off the roads. Yeah, I know, the first one has some likelihood of happening...

Comments

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

Sounds like he was almost a contender for the Darwin awards.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately he's still in the gene-pool.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Bad weather seems to be the in thing today, I've got snow. How ever snow in February in the UK is expected by everyone except the people whose job it is to grit the roads, they haven't yet again

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Snow! I wouldn't mind snow--I like it, and before you say that's because we don't get it here, I lived in Germany for three years and I'd take snow and the nice cold dry air that goes with it over rain and wet grey misery any day.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Ah yes Germany, a country that not only knows it snows in winter but prepares for it, unlike the UK when it comes as a complete surprise every year and the roads are not even salted let alone ploughed until the snow is beginning to thaw, where the majority of the cars are still only two wheel drives. No one even owns snow chains let alone knows how to fit them, and inconsiderate employers consider the only weather anyone ever has is what they can see out of their office window. And please don't get me started on our Weather forecasters. Give me a grey wet day , that anyone born and raised in Britain can cope with and even learn to enjoy it, the only way snow can be enjoyed here is from indoors with absolutely no need to go out. Rant over put it down to mild hypothermia and relief from the very real doubt that I would only get half way home today then have to either
a) walk the rest of the way in court shoes (yes I'm as un prepared as anybody)
or
b) try and find a pub with a room they still had vacant.

Thank TPB neither happened and I am here.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Our weather forecasters are hopeless too--I think it comes from much the same reason--weather comes across the sea to us both, so there's not much advance warning. Auckland's especially bad, on such a narrow bit of land surrounded by water, we cop it from both directions. And I did have difficulty getting to work a couple of weeks ago during the flooding.

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the rant I must have been far more wound up than I thought.

-And I did have difficulty getting to work a couple of weeks ago during the flooding.-

Now that is one thing I don't have to worry about. Living half way up a mountain does have its advantages, although coming home at night after a days rain is rather like walking up Niagara Falls. My hill is the bottom eighth of one that travels un broken from the river to the mountain top (Approx. 1500ft) and therefore the easiest route for run off. And we are far enough from the river not to be bothered if that overflows, as is the main road.

April in Britain can be one of the most beautiful months of the year, I love spring with all the wildflowers blooming but it can be very cold too especially at night so don't forget a jumper or two as well.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

We live on a hill too, so I don't get flooded (though I worry about landslides). However the road down near the quarry (yes, there's one nearby, just closed) gets so flooded I have to find alternate routes.