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Hunkering down in snowy London

Posted: Monday, February 02, 2009 9:50 AM
Filed Under:

By Chris Hampson, NBC News Director of International News

LONDON – And now some really big breaking news from the U.K.: It’s snowing.

Not the sort of chill-you-to-the-bones white stuff that freezes thermometers across whole swathes of the United States, where the snow comes to the eaves and you have to chisel your way out of an upstairs window.

A woman walks past telephone boxes during snow fall in Cambridge
SLIDESHOW: Snow blankets London, Paris
No, this is British snow. Light fluffy cotton-wool stuff you see on pretty calendars in December. 

It’s about 28 degrees Fahrenheit – just below tee-shirt weather in some parts of the world. But here it’s enough to bring much of the country and its capital to a standstill.

It’s chaos.

Airports are closed, freeways at a standstill, London’s buses aren’t running, the Tube is getting nowhere fast. Even the train companies’ websites have crashed due to the number of people trying to find out if they can get to work. They can’t.

Businesses have closed for the day. TV news reporters – with barely a fleck of white on their heads – warn us to travel only if really necessary.

Here it seems a single snowflake is enough to bring our trains slithering to a halt. Imagine what a few inches can do.  (And this from the country that – during the fall – has a special slower train timetable to allow for slippery leaves on the tracks. Honest).

Nanooks of the North we are not.

The problem is we’re just not used to it and we’re certainly not prepared for it.

When I lived in New Jersey we’d tune in the radio, stoke up the fire and wait for a guy in a pickup truck to arrive to plow the driveway.

Here, you can’t even find a snow shovel. Snow chains were last seen on the Russian front during the Crimean War. Today I am more likely to see Her Majesty the Queen proceed through my village with a squadron of the Household Cavalry leading the way than I am to see a snow plow.

To be fair, this is the worst snow we’ve had for 18 years and our coldest winter for ten.   

So like many thousands of Brits today I have invoked the spirit of the Blitz and am hunkered down at home. It’s the kind of weather that makes me want to wile away my time knitting a pair of fingerless gloves, put another record on the gramophone, and gaze at the postcard I see out of my window.

My garden is like a fly-through McDonalds for birds – nuthatches, robins, thrushes, blackbirds and collared doves all stocking up at the feeders.

Unlike their two-legged friends inside, they – at least – know how to get around. Even when it snows.

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Comments

Why is it I feel like this is a "Everything's bigger in Yankland?". If it helps to redress the balance for us Brits, I did put my flip-flops on and walk to work without crampons, snowshoes, ice axes, skidoos, huskies or a snowplough in sight unlike our colonial renegade cousins. I did cheat a bit with the flip flops though by driving 6inch nails into them and wearing short brown socks (de Rigour for sandalled feet in the UK, unsocked feet and flip flops being illegal beachwear otherwise by an Act of Parliament and the cause for public castigation. Trust me, you don't want to be arrested by the UK Sock Police, yhey make Guatanamo Bay look like Butlins. Mind you, Butlins makes Guatanamo Bay look like a holiday resort anyway ).Then again, I had had crumpets and muffins for breakfast with a strong sweet mug of Tetley tea which I'd stewed for three days in t'Aga(not really, just thought I'd reinforce the stereotypes). Mind you, I am from up t'North and we do go out in T shirts in the middle of winter. I nearly even had to wear long trousers it were that nesh. In the end, I just rubbed some Fiery Jack into my underpants and set off with a rosy glow to light the way through t'blizzard. Snow were so thick, I almost cunt see me whippet on end of t'lead. I'll bet it's raining again tomorrow. I've got my wellies ready just in case.

Dave, Sheffield, Yorkhire although really from L:ancashire and only on Missionary work educating these heathens. (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:10 PM)

It amazes me that much of what I've read about today is the difficulties of living with the inconvenience of a heavy snow storm...and not one word about reminding everyone that this is the time to be thinking about the elderly, the infirm, and animals.  Do your neighbors have sufficient food and heat?  Can you spare some food or shovel them out?  Are animals that are not accustomed to plummeting temperatures being kept inside or at least in a sheltered area?  Get a grip, folks.  If this is the worst storm you've had in recent memory, consider yourself lucky if you are healthy and have the ability to think about someone else's welfare, too.  Linda, Marblehead, MA USA

Linda Doliber, Marblehead, MA USA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:13 PM)

Take some advice. Relax. Miss a day of work & send the kids out to shovel the driveway. They will be playing in the snow in 5 minutes. We see drifts of 4 feet in the bad years and in the good years,we end up with water restrictions. Seriously, a teenager with a shovel can make good money taking care of the neighborhood Don't fight Mother Nature! Reacquaint yourself with the family and take the extra time for a afternoon nap.(Hopefully with your favorite bed mate)

Taz-Aurora, Co. (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:25 PM)

Last week our new President from Chicago made the usual jeering comments when DC area schools closed because of "a little ice" and most of us hunkered down rather than drive.   Places that don't get much snow and ice generally aren't equipped to handle it.

Mary , Springfield, VA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:30 PM)

When it rains two inches in Los Angeles people drive like it's Armageddon.  It's all relative people!  I lived in London one winter in college and while it does get cold and dreary, it hardly ever snows!  The city isn't built for it -- so give me a break, Londoners have a legitimate reason to respond with a little chaos.

Also people, seriously, look up "Global Warming".  Just because the word "warming" is in the title, doesn't mean it dictates the definition. Cooling is the result of global warming as well!

Kelly, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:35 PM)

Wow, I lived in London as a child and can only remember flurries, lite snows, whereas here they really get snow.  It really excites me in a childish sense of just running down the way, tossing snowballs about, and singing carols.

Zach Cassaro, Boone, NC (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:38 PM)

Coldest temp in continental USA was in 1954 in near Great Falls, MT. Oh, by the way, we get snow too.

Silvia Martin (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:39 PM)

Snow happens even here in coastal California, not to the extent seen in the NE, Midwest or northern tier USA, but it does occur. Two winters ago speeding motorists exited the Waldo tunnel above SF and ran inot a snow squall and 30+ car pile up resulted.  

What is perhaps surprising is the problems encountered by rail transit in greater London. I wonder how the second generation tramway in Croydon is making out? In the not too dim and distant past commuter rail was run all night to insure that the morning rush was not impacted to any great degree and during winter visits to NYC, Boston and Chicago as well as Geneva Switzerland we noted no disruption.  

I suspect that the problemn with shrinking budgets is that there is no allowance to run the trains all night or cities with streetcar systems no longer have the streetcar snowplows in service.

It seemed to be that rail ransit was expected to run on time regardless of the weather and it did!      

steve pickens, muir beach ca (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 3:42 PM)

SNOW, god help me, you Brits have no idea what snow is.  Although saying that, you get 2 inches of rain and the country comes to a halt.

Lorraine, Mississauga, ON. Canada (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:05 PM)

I lived in Southwest Missouri for ten years, where there was only one snowplow in our town.  There were many times we couldn't get around for lack of the streets being scooped.  So I understand the Brits, whose public transport stopped.  When you aren't prepared, a little bit of snow can shut things down quite efficiently.  So let's give the Brits a break and hope they have a nice cuppa for me while they are snuggled up at home in front of a toasty fire!  

Sorry at work, Overland Park, KS (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:05 PM)

hs ha so much for global warming.don't be fooled by these global warming cooks.may be we headed for ice age.

R.Patel (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:08 PM)

So much for global warming.May be Al gore his scientists got confuesd with global cooling to global warming. May be we are headed to ice age.

R.Patel,Indianapolis,Indiana (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:16 PM)

  My great Uncle, who often visited London, was once heard to remark that the problem with the weather is that every one talks about it, but no one does anything.

John G. Alexandria VA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:17 PM)

"Heck of a way to run a global warming, huh?

Its been colder than normal across the entire northern hemisphere.  Lets assume the Earth is a pot of water and global warming is the burner on the stove.  We then put the water on the pot and turn on the burner.  Under the global warming argument, as we turn up the heat, the water in the pot freezes.

Does anyone but me see a problem here?  
Joe F., Beaufort SC (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 2:22 PM)"

To use this same anti-logic, one could make the argument that an increase in global temperature is directly correlated to a dearth in pirate population(Somalia notwithstanding).  Oversimplifying global warming to "Hey, it's cold outside, thus global warming is a farce" sadly appears to be a staple of the gleefully under-educated "base" that comprises an unfortunate majority of the Republican party.

RH, Shalimar, Florida (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:28 PM)

We have half a cm here in south east devon (Yes there is another place in England other than London!) You may laught at us unable to cope with the snow....but how would you cope with the amount of rain that we do???

I must admit I am loving out little dusting of snow and so are the kids...Just Fun!

Leah Taylor-Heath (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:43 PM)

Hahahaha,
Take a break and come try out Michigan.
Not only does our weather change almost literally every 10 minutes, but our economy is obviously going down the drain. Around where I live, theres been so few snow plowings, you might as well go drive on a snow covered icy lake. Furthermore, ive only had 2 days off of school so far, so suck it up England.

Caleb Thornquist, Michigan (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 4:43 PM)

Its still snowing in England, has been at it all day. Now 21:55. There's some guy wheel-spinning his car and revving the engine frantically! People just don't know how to drive in the snow over here!I live in the North of England, and its true to say that Londoners wouldn't know how to cope with the weather. I remember being stranded in Sheffield once, back in around 1991.I was living in Leicester which is further south from here. There, if it snowed at all, it was gone in a matter of hours. They thought I was kidding when I phoned work to tell them the railways had shut down up here!Back in around 1978, I remember snow so high, it came above our front door...no school that day, but people who could get out were soon taken to the streets to clear paths and doorways, especially for the elderly or infirm. We got on with things in those days. At the moment, I'm actually recovering from illness, so signed off sick, but had I been at work today, I would have got up extra early and started walking to the hospital I'm employed at, which is at the other side of the city. I would have offered to work, also, if I'd not been rota'd on for today. Its the way we are up here. A good work ethic never did anyone any harm. More snow is forecast, particularly at my part of the country. Goodness knows what will happen if the snow ploughs haven't been out and gritted the roads tonight!

Tracy O'Neill, Sheffield, UK (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:12 PM)

I feel your pain - almost 20 years ago, we got 11 inches here in San Antonio, Texas - and it was a mess.  When you live in the northern states you expect to get snow, you can prepare for it... buy snow tires, snow shovels, snowmobile suits, antifreeze rated for sub-zero temps, etc.  When you only get snow every 30 years - you can't prepare for it - no stores carry what you need, no snowtires, no show shovels, no cold weather clothing - no nothing.

Bobby G, San Antonio, Tx. (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:18 PM)

Look on the bright side. The beer is finally COLD! So go down to the pub and have one for an American that enjoyed a pint of bitter. Then a game of darts.

Pieter Kes (a displaced yankee), Woodstock, AL (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:22 PM)

What all non British here have to realise is that Britain IS NOT USED TO THIS KIND OF WEATHER. Those of you saying 'oh come here and see how we cope'; well you are used to it, you see it and live with it, most likely quite often. Like a fellow Brit said above, we get extreme weather every few years..IF THAT.In this case, 20 odd years. I think that you Americans should cut us some slack, because this is one of the most extreme kinds of snow fall we have had in a very long time, we do not know how to cope properly when this happens, whereas those of you who live where snow is common grow to live with it.
I'm sorry but please don't say we've 'lost our stiff upper lip' It means nothing and stop looking down on us.

Taylor, Worcester, UK (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:41 PM)

Just talked to relatives in the U.K. They told me that there were no snowplows out, but the loories were out cindering. Snow shovels are just something that the brits do not have. At least up until now. I was stationed for 4 years in England, and I cannot remember any large snow storms. If it did snow, it was all gone in a day.

Gary T. Fish East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:52 PM)

I lived in Seattle, WA, for ten years.  They had not the slightest idea of how to deal with snow.  The entire city shut down every time there were a few inches. I imagine it's still the same. Don't make fun of the British...they're not used to it either.  Rain and fog is the thing there, and I love it!

J Fleming, Ithaca NY (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 6:00 PM)

I'm from Colorado, so a few inches (okay feet) of snow doesn't mean much to me because I'm used it. But I've been living in London now for nearly three years, and can't tell you how incredible this wintry surprise has been. I walked home from work last night, skipping through the snow and enjoying take out on a park bench across the Thames from Parliament. You could barely see across the river the snow was driving down so hard. I ended up covered in snow, but it was well worth it.

To all you Americans who still think a few inches and a few degrees below freezing (it was actually above this afternoon) is nothing, you just have to imagine that there are absolutely no snow plows. And I can safely say I've never seen a snow shovel in this country in my life. I walked to work this morning slipping and sliding on the compacted snow, and can only imagine it will all freeze tonight, making it as treacherous as ever tomorrow morning.

Of course, you also have to understand that the Brits will take almost any excuse to visit their local pub. If the choice is taking five times longer than normal to get to work, versus a visit to the pub, which would you honestly choose? I think it's fair to say the drinking establishments did a brisk business today...

Jeff, London, England (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 6:03 PM)

Dalila Smith in Yuma AZ: it doesn't hit 120º and 90% humidity in Arizona.  The 120º, yes.  90% humidity, no.  The only time it's that humid here is when it rains, and then the temperature is more in the upper 90s or low 100s.

Cindy, Tempe AZ (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 6:06 PM)

Like much of the US south, southern England has so little need for snow-plows that the expense of buying lots of them could not be justified, but it also means we are unprepared for heavy snow, though salt and grit are used regularly.  We had about 8 inches of snow in far NW Surrey in the last 24 hours, but places farther north expect up to 20 more inches in the next 24 hours.  Weather in parts of the north of England, much of Scotland, and in some of Wales can be more harrowing than down here in the balmy south.  Sadly, several people have died recently due to climbing accidents.

Ann, Frimley, Surrey, UK, (formerly of snowy Wisconsin) (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 6:21 PM)

Love the Brits! I do hope we get some wonderful photographs from London. Staying home by a fire with a cup of warm tea or a hot toddy is my way to spend any snow day.
Right now Kentucky and other areas are still digging out from an ice storm and about 500,000 are without power. When you have power it is not bad. It does not take temps that are too low to get hypothermia. So stay dry and layer your clothing and all that.

Cheers!

Mary Pinkerton (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 6:42 PM)

Ok everybody lighten up! Enjoy your day off Britts!

Marybeth, Moline, IL (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 7:16 PM)

I lived for decades in London and the 'home counties'.  Once thing is guaranteed: despite warnings, the roads are not salted in time, only after the event. The excuse would be that the councils did not know the oracle would come true!

Sevenov (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 7:23 PM)

Oh yes, when I lived outside London proper, speciallyin the Chilterns, driving between the narrow gap between the hedgerows could be hazardous but 'anticipatingly'  challenging, like a milder form of 'death wish'.  I carried a  small shovel in the boot(trunk) and on many occasions put it to good use uphill or downhill. Funny, I really enjoyed those moments, cursing and kicking the tyres (tires), while the missus and the kids were having fun watching me WORK!

Sevenov, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 7:30 PM)

We had that here at the end of December/beginning of January--more snow than even my mother had ever seen, and it ground us to a complete standstill, too. Our radio DJs started calling it 'Snowpocalypse' because we haven't got the equipment to deal with something like that, though at least studded tires and chains are pretty common. Good luck. :)

Stevie McMichael, Seattle, Washington. (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 7:52 PM)

Good to reminisce here about the weather. One January when I was a kid in Hibbing MN, the warmest it got was negative 20F, and one morning my sister and I delivered the morning paper at 40 below F. Our father did drive us to each house, however and we ran to each door and then back to the warm car. Ha. Never heard of wind chill in those days and we did play outside most days that January as I recall. Keeping the house warm was a bit of strain on the citywide steam heat too but we survived.  As for school and snow, we had school called off only once when we got 24 inches overnight and the plows had trouble getting the roads open before classes. But we all got to the basketball tournaments that night. So cheerio and enjoy the rare for London fun stuff.
 

Dave Anderson, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 8:06 PM)

I've read all this and while part of me says poo on 4 inches (I live not too terribly from K Duncan), I remember quite well how Washington DC area shut down when I was a kid and we got snow.  Everything is relative.  If an area doesn't get that weather, it isnt prepared.

Minnesota is not prepared for hurricanes for example!

A Hall, NE Minnesota (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 8:06 PM)

That last snow was 19 years ago.  I know, because I was there in the Air Force.  My wife and I almost didn't make it home that night to our school age children.

I see they're no better at snow removal now than they were then.

Mike, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 8:27 PM)

I'M still trying to clean my car off from our last week snowstorm and we got another snow storm coming in Tuesday. Our drive way you can go ice skating .
Virginia  Akron Ohio

Virginia Ventrone Akron Ohio (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 8:45 PM)

LeeAnn, Missouri USA..  us brits have not lost anything ty very much..  and your guess at 2 inches of snow here is rubbish!  there was that much snow in surrey south london that my car was stuck (snowed in) so please keep your comments to yourself ty.

b davies surrey south london uk (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 9:10 PM)

Having been born in the UK and now residing in California I remember that when the snow falls the UK comes to a halt. However in California the same applies to rain. I remember my first experience of rain in California and trying to get home from work. It took hours and then the roads are like ponds.

Peter, LA, USA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 9:41 PM)

I have been living in bangkok for the last ten years , and its great but if theres ,one thing I miss about England is the Snow, Snow is somthing most thais do not see, feel,or have fun with, the nearest they come to snow is on tv or the movies.

AS a kid in Wales we used to have snow half way up the door it also seems that it used to snow every winter, snow is part of the Brits life and if the truth were told they love it. at least its a legit excuse to have some time of from the daily grind.

David Delaine,
in hot and sunny Bangkok

David Delaine (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 9:46 PM)

It's amusing that those of us who live in the north assume that ppl who rarely see snow are wimps who can't handle a few inches of snow.  Living in the north country with sand and salt trucks and snow plows is what makes that possible for us to listen to a forecast calling for feet of snow.  Without these luxuries we'd be just as helpless, So don't take it for granted and scoff at those "wimps" I'm green with envy....I'd love a snow day from work

Anon, Snowy New England, NY (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:08 PM)

Don't Feel Bad .. Here In Arkansas If Anyone Even Mentions Snow Or Ice .. People Freak ..

Jenni Houston Arkansas (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:19 PM)

A few years ago, I had a chance to do the tourist thing in London. (LOVED IT)

There was a light dusting of snow.  It was less than 1/2 of an inch.

That was considered a sizable storm.

I'm in Michigan, about a 90 minute drive to Canada.

I had a 1/2 inch hit me today.  I did not even shovel the steps.

It's strange seeing how a country that has added so much to the history of the world (Shapers of Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the USA being just a few examples) being so troubled by what people from Kentucky on north would think of as just another winter's day.

UK, you've beaten much worse than this!

Mot, Michigan (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:21 PM)

Hmm... Well i'm not too sure how many areas of the UK this guy actually visited during the period of snowfall in order to write this artical, but the area i live in (Suffolk) has not seen any of this so called "Chaos". We got the snow, but nobody panicked at all, and from what i've heard not many people from any other areas did either, possibly due to the fact that the snow fell on a Sunday, and not many people round here (or in many other parts of the UK) work on a Sunday! Children here do not have school on Sundays either! By Monday morning all the roads were cleared and gritted and people went about their regular business! Maybe London was caught unaware, but for the rest of us, this was a walk in the park! It is however always important to remain cautious, even if something doesn't look that bad, it can still be extremely hazardous. I think Mr Hampson has taken the Governments words of caution and slightly exagerated them a bit to be honest. If anyone thinks we're afraid of a little bit of snow, then they know nothing of British people!
Take Care all!

A T, Ipswich, Suffolk, England (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:23 PM)

I've lived in Austin, TX and a suburb of Buffalo, NY. IMO Buffalonians are only slightly better at handling snow, but the suburbs are on the ball. I grew up just north of Detroit, MI, on Lake Huron, and we got big lake effect snowfalls just like Buffalo does, but our town closed things down and called driving bans for certain periods of time to allow the plows to work unimpeded, so we weren't stranded for days like Buffalo city residents are. Buffalonians claim they can't shut down for every lake effect event because they'd never be open, but I quit teaching in the city because I got tired of being stranded overnight on snow-clogged streets. I'm sure they could take lessons from Chicago and even Detroit. It sounds like Buffalo's current mayor, Byron Brown, has been in contact with leaders from those cities -- his Snow Plan seems logical. Let's just hope corruption doesn't impede follow-thru.

KACF, Amherst, NY (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:38 PM)

In good old Baltimore we just wait for it to melt. Saves on buying snowplows.

Jane Payne, Baltimore, MD (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 10:43 PM)

Some one should tell the global warming nuts they need to check their facts. The earth has stopped warming since 1999 and in fact the temperatures have been falling for the past three years. If we caused the warming why is it warmer on Mars? Did we do that too? It just might be because the sun has just went through a cycle of sun spots and increased heat, naw no way.

Dan Cowtown, Texas (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 11:28 PM)

Wow, I the english finally getting snow after all these years, and they can't even find a shovel. thats crazy! I'm from philly, PA we're used to snow almost every year and prepared for it. I have alot of friends from the UK, I'm sure they're lovin it.

Mr. Wright, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 11:41 PM)

the fact tat the british havent got snow shovels,snow ploughs etc ,tells you only how fortunate they are in having cooler but snow free weather,and have the sense to stay home and enjoy their grousing,i have no doubt the local pubs will enjoy a full house out of this if nothing else.

alice bentley rochester ny (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 12:11 AM)

Johna, get real.  The "thousands of climate scientists" who have "shown {global warming] to be a fraud" are a few shills for Big Oil and Big Coal.  Even some of the oil companies are facing reality.  Who ever said "warming" meant it would never snow again?  What would it take to persuade you that wishful thinking is not science?

Thomas Lee Boles, Saint Paul, MN (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 12:28 AM)

I can remember larger amounts of snowfall as a kid growing up in London, but it seems people have forgotten how to deal with it. So, it only happens once in 10 years, nevertheless the city and town council lorries (sorry trucks to the USA contingent), should have snow ploughs they can hitch onto the front of the lorries to plough the snow. It's what they do over here for God's sake, but I guess it's just another reason to have a day off. Enjoy it while it lasts, your only a kid once you know.
p.s. It just started snowing here Woo-Hoo!!!

Paul, Southington, Connecticut, USA (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:44 AM)

Thank you Chris for your thoughtful comments and observations regardng the snowfall in England. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Took me right back.....

Paul Smith, Aztec, NM (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:01 AM)

I remember when I was a kid we had heavy snow, almost every winter. Back then the schools didn't close unless the pipes had burst. Kids walked to school and every one cleared their own frontage. Then we became PC apparently if you clear the snow and someone slips it is your fault. If you don't clear the snow and someone slips it is an act of God. So no snow ploughs anymore, no community spirit anymore, no blocks of rocksalt kept for the winter to clear the paths. Seems the only ones who do shovel the snow and walk to the shops and take the dog out and basically carry on living are us old folks, Few of us can afford 4x4's few of us can afford the heating bills in our energy unefficient homes, single glazed with little or no insulation. So we layer up the clothing and get out there with the best of them, saves our heating bills lol. Admire the way the Americans deal with the weather, and worry about my friends around the world.

soupy. birmingham GB (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:02 AM)



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