Batten down the hatches winter storm chat 2011-12

[sonnetpete]

Wind is the main issue here at the moment......

Baked Beans and Brown Ale......it gets you every time....

 

[Channel Hopper]

Oh great.. more good news

Now at 942mb.

 

[zoro25]

Last night my back gate blew off its hinges (its a 6ft pine gate about 3ft wide) totally ripped the hinges from the post,
Now needs new post due to the original being cracked down the middle caused by the force from the wind.

On the bright side the dishes are still up :-)

 

[Lazarus]

Haven't dared go outside and do the rounds yet -still loafing in bed owing to being kept awake by some really rather fearsome overnight winds.

"Phenomenal" is, I believe, the official word.


Edit (Much later) All intact. Flashed up the TD110 and AB7 rocks. Not moved even a tenth of a degree.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Apologies, I forgot to post the link I've been looking at.

A really clear indication of what's likely to happen out at sea, and one can set it for wind speed as well.

_http://magicseaweed.com/msw-surf-charts2.php?chart=2&type=pressure

 

[Channel Hopper]

A lovely clear morning, in preparation for tonight.

_http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/16165125

 

[satelliteman]

Probably clear the most likely Southern track here but certainly not the second track predicted straight across the Midlands.

 

[TJExcalibur]

Looks OK for the south coast according to the Met . Not bothered about the rain, unless it washes the dish away.

 

[sonnetpete]

Well that was a nasty 24hrs. It started to blow really hard (despite living over 200km from the Brittany coast - it didn't save me this time Tivù) during yesterday afternoon with driving rain then about 6:30pm the power went off....and stayed off......until about half an hour ago.......not nice stumbling about with candles, tripping over dogs etc.

I was seriously worried about my dishes and the sound of the wind woke me at 3am this morning so I came downstairs and slept on the couch in front of the fire. Thankfully all the dishes seem intact.

One thing did give me a laugh though. I was due to ring my mum and couldn't of course due to no power for the cordless one. So, I sent her a text to say the power was off etc. Now predictive texting has passed my mother by (indeed any texting) so I got the reply "HOWLONG". I wasn't sure if she was giving me the name of a French domiciled Chinese electrician, but then realised what she meant and replied "no idea". She replied to that "CANYOUEAT" to which I was sorely tempted to answer, "yes, fortunately mouth not reliant on mains power". (I have two gas hobs and the Rayburn for cooking if the mains fails BTW)

So, I'm glad I'm back in forum (or form???)

 

[Lazarus]

We have had a pretty quiet time ................ just the odd half-hearted flurry of wet snow.

I saw more snowflakes in Fuerteventura last week - the children of some BritExPats were making them out of cardboard!!

 

[Analoguesat]

5" of snow overnight. It started to melt - now its freezing again. It'll be evil going out to pick up swmbo in a while...

 

[rolfw]

Well if it gets much worse, it'll be SWMGHOHO



















She who must get home on her own.

 

[Lazarus]

Aye, but the Sprouts fresh from the Allotment will be in perfect nick.

Just about time to put 'em on to boil so they're ready from Christmas Dinner.

 

[Analoguesat]

If the road is really nasty it'll be SWMBwalking

 

[Analoguesat]

Just been down to have a look at the road - solid ice where the snow has compacted down. So Ive fitted 2 of the Jeko snowbelts I bought a few months ago to each wheel. Will be interesting to see how they perform

(These are big yellow zip ties that fit round the wheel and through the wheel rims)

 

[Analoguesat]

Well they work ok - much more grip on the ice. Havent got the knack of doing them up tight enough yet so they have moved a bit. Rather noisy on roads with little ice on them - as Id only put two on the tyres there was a rhythmic thump thump as I rolled cautiously along the roads at 20mph

Downside - I passed a police car who promptly stopped me as they thought I had a flat with the thump thump........ !

However a quick look at all the wheels to see I hadnt and they pootled off


TBH I didnt mind being stopped - they were only doing their job. Theres bound to be loads of drunks on the road this close to xmas and they had noted summat odd with the car. Im sure they have seen drunks trying to drive home on a flat tyre before now. Not having had anything stronger than coffee all evening I knew I was perfectly sober

 

[Topper]

More snow overnight, so much for an early start today

 

[Lazarus]

Crisp and bright here. Seen nothing more than a couple of wet flakes (don't ask) all winter.

It won't last!

 

[Vipersan]

Frozen slush on the pavements this morning ...
Almost did an unplanned Triple Axel on my walk to the shop for some milk..
Not steady on my feet to start with ..due to my 'complaint' ....
..Had to walk on the gritted road surface coming back ...much to the annoyance of moterists..
A few beeped horns and odd glares ...but I had little option.
rgds
VS

 

[wod]

Crisp and bright here. Seen nothing more than a couple of wet flakes (don't ask) all winter.

It won't last!

nothing here either. looking at the forecast on the local news, i dont think there be any snow around here until into january.

the council will like it as they wont have used much grit on the roads