I just did something probably stupid today. [
But probably also very brave too 
-
someone [
You wish... 
-
ZR's Brain]]
I left the house this evening and drove back to my work place which is about 45 miles from my home, ready for work tomorrow morning (like I usually do after a weekend). Yes, I know what you're thinking: bad move. [
Bad move... -
everyone] See?
But rather do it now than tomorrow when I could be snowed in.
The conditions were awful. Snow now lay about 6 or 7 inches thick (sadly I don't have a rod long enough to measure [
Too much information -
everyone]) and my poor ice scraper wasn't capable of shoveling it off my car in one go. It still was snowing, with the snow now quickly turning into black ice on the road, giving me wheelspin even on major roads out of the city. My street was now once again covered in snow despite the token appearance of the gritters (by the way, I saw none on my journey). What is normally a 1 hour drive during rush hour turned into 2 and a half hours, half of which was spent merely trying to leave my city.
Anyway, long story short, I arrived safely with no damage to my car, and warm and snug in Digs. I'm still feeling a little shaken. I might not do that again.
Then again, the endorphins are starting to kick in now...
Phoned my parents in East Scotland. They're doing OK, but the snow is now starting to chuck it down over there too.
Wait, they cancel public transit for snow?
*sigh* All right, I'll stop poking fun at the British people, now.
Oh do carry on.
When I was little and we had snow, we'd walk half a mile to school through it. We went in wellies and waterproofs and changed when we got to school. That was normal in winter. That doesn't happen anymore, the schools get shut instead.
Over the past 20 years, there have been steady cutbacks on council services, so now there isn't any real contingencies for weather. At one time, grit trucks went around every main road once a week in the depths of winter. Nowadays, most local councils allocate just enough funds to grit
some of the main roads twice a year only. At one time there was such a thing as a snow plough, which doesn't exist in Britain anymore, because it costs money to keep, and councils cut back on that.
The same with public transport. At one time, the railways were kept reliably clean of snow and leaves, because rail workers were always there to maintain the service. Not anymore.
It's not so much the British people, but the public services that get cancelled because there are such poor contingencies nowadays. This now causes problems for commuters when faced with weather. So nowadays it's just become acceptable to cancel a service rather than maintain it. The public have followed suit, where it's become acceptable now to cancel a trip than make a bit of an effort.
Tell me about it.
Today alone the estimated cost to the UK economy is about £3 billion. Much of it is due to difficulties with maintenance of services, but in many cases it's just plain simple bunking off and taking advantage of the conditions. Yes, I've been accused of that sort of thing before (back in 2007 when a whole section of motorway was closed due to flood damage and the risk of a dam due to burst, but officially I couldn't get to work at all. I did spend the whole morning trying to get to work, then giving up and going back home, waiting to hear on the radio when the roads would reopen.
But I digress.) but I have often tried to put in some effort. (As it happens, today was a scheduled leave day for me, so I have an excuse.
)
Just now, the roads are still icy and slippery because of the lack of gritters around - partly because they can't get through all the traffic, but also probably partly due to this lack of "never say die" attitude in keeping things going. Maybe the British Public in general have now changed from the good old "plucky stiff upper lip, mustn't grumble" attitude of keeping going, to the "can't be bothered, let's put on the telly" attitude of giving in.
Me, I applaud those who tried to get to work today. In a crisis we should be increasing service provision, not cutting them down.
(sorry, I've still got the adrenaline running through my veins, I felt like having a senseless logic-free rant.
)
As the kids were not allowed them by 'responsible' parents, the pub tried adding vodka and marketing them as 'cool alcopops'. Yeh, I'm going to stick to a nice Shiraz thanks all the same
.
Who says we're encouraging kids to drink...
