Mums packing that extra few tins of salt in the shopping trolley, not because it was half-price, but because they think that it will be their only salvation in the battle against the horrors of a frosty driveway. Or Halfords stocking up on WD40 because they know it's the only business they will get between November and January.
On Wednesday December 22, 2010, the Guardian published this headline:
"UK SNOW CHAOS: Some make it home, but thousands still stranded!"
"Both runways at Heathrow open but many flights off, with big freeze set to continue beyond Boxing day."
Why were both runways closed?? The answer is... there is no reason! What is the problem with gritters out on the runway 24/7? It's not going to cost more than cancelled flights, with hundreds of passengers stranded in the airports, unable to work and get our dire economy running again, but unable to do anything except be plied with hot drinks compliments of BA or some other idiotic airline company!
London Heathrow airport cancelled 3,700 flights last year, whereas the plucky Norwegians cancelled a massive number of..... 2 FLIGHTS! In the whole of Norway!
Now you may say the Norwegians are better prepared, that they drive around on snowmobiles and their family vehicles are snow ploughs but sadly no, for the majority, the Nor mode of travel is front-wheel drive hatchbacks, and they manage to get to ther work at the herring farms no problem at all.
Now, don't get me wrong, last December was the coldest the UK has ever seen (with an average temperature of -1.0*C) so my arguement may fall flat here, but answer me this - could any of you genuinely not get to where you were meant to be during the chaos, through physical labour or some snow driving that would make Colin McCrae look like an Average Joe Sunday driver, or was it a case of "My car is stuck"- (the only valid definition of stuck is in a ditch or upside down), "I have the flu"- ('the flu' being some secret codewrod for 'feet in a basin of water, tea and a nice wee watch of daytime TV), or the classic "I'm snowed in" which is the most ridiculous saying I have ever heard! Unless you live in the house pictured below, skiving off work is not an option I'm afraid.
The whole transport network shut down last year as well. It was as if the Health and Safety Department of Everything (I'm pretty sure that exists) played Pin the Tail on the Road and just went mad with roads to shut down.
Now, unless you are a pair of men last year that decided it was a bright idea to drive, yes that is not a spelling error, DRIVE along a canal near Falkirk, (pictured below), I think you are able to make it into work every morning.
And so, my motto for this winter in terms of travelling is based on a George Orwell book:
"Four-wheel drive good, front-wheel drive ok."
Unless you have a BMW. You may panic if so.
Please leave any interesting or creative repsonses in the comment section below, or Facebook or Tweet at meh!
I'll be back soon with another rant so stay tuned!
