Royal Escape from the Topic - for off topic chit chat Showing 1,701-1,750 of 2,839

[Susan in Perthshire]

We have had 15 inches, and friends in Cumbria and the west of Scotland had over 40 inches but it’s the 12 foot snowdrifts which caused the real problems.

[Nick]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "But it’s the 12 foot snowdrifts which caused the real problems."

Crikey! Seems we're very protected in the midlands! Everybody else catches the brunt of it before it makes it's way down to us!

[Critterbee❇]

Yowsers, that sounds wintery to me. 12 foot snow drifts, and trains cancelled? Stay warm, guys. I hope you have a steady, dependable heat source.

[Karlyne]

True, Nick! We've all been talking about our mild winter - just 8" of snow last week...

[Susan in NC]

Nick wrote: "Wow, the storms you guys have in the US put our 'Beast from the East' into perspective! I thought that the 4 inches of snow outside my front door was impressive.
On the other hand the Canadian at w..."

I can relate to your cackling Canadian as a native Chicagoan living in NC since my early 20s - snow wreaks havoc here, as well. When we first moved here, we thought people were joking, and the run on milk and bread made us laugh - what are you going to do, live on bread pudding? But then we realized, without the clothing, let alone the equipment or infrastructure to remove snow and keep power lines up and heat on, it can be devastating. Luckily snow melts pretty quickly here - usually. But like in the UK I imagine, people find it difficult to drive in - we learned how as part of driver education up North! I still posit that nobody from anywhere can safely drive on icy roads!

Stay warm and dry Susan - and Happy Spring (soon, I hope), and praying for peace for your departed friend and his family and friends. Be careful getting around this week if you must go out.

[Karlyne]

Susan in NC wrote: "Nick wrote: "Wow, the storms you guys have in the US put our 'Beast from the East' into perspective! I thought that the 4 inches of snow outside my front door was impressive.
On the other hand the ..."

You're so right, Susan - this weekend there was a horrible wreck at night on one of our mountain passes, apparently caused by speed and black ice. Ended up involving dozens of vehicles, including lots of semi-trucks and having to life-flight most of the cars' passengers which were involved and shutting the highway down. There had been plenty of warning about the roads, but people get in a hurry...

[Critterbee❇]

What is the safest form of transportation in icy weather?

Ach I hate driving in snow or ice - and wish no one had to. I had an accident in icy conditions once and avoid driving when it gets bad.

[Karlyne]

My number one rule is don't drive at night! We have studded tires on our car, which grip the road better than conventional tires, but if you hit ice at any kind of speed, it's just Hold On and Pray!

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Nick wrote: "Wow, the storms you guys have in the US put our 'Beast from the East' into perspective! I thought that the 4 inches of snow outside my front door was impressive.
On..."

Oh, no! Black ice is a big problem here in NC, as well. I love the mountains, but that’s scary driving at night! We try to avoid it when traveling to and from Illinois to visit our son.

Karlyne is right, with ice there is no safe option - best to stay off the roads. And luckily here in NC, that’s a legitimate excuse - my husband works from home and I haven’t driven since my brain surgery in June.

With snow, we learned go slow, keep your distance from vehicles in front of you, and turn into a skid if you begin to slide. But ice is just dangerous!

[QNPoohBear]

Oh my goodness Susan in Perthshire - I can not imagine 40 inches of snow! I've seen about 24" at a time. The storm has started already in Washington, DC where they don't know how to drive in snow (though they should). My mom is in Pennsylvania with her mother possibly hunkered down for a foot of snow. Here we will probably get rain, ice, snow mix and that's almost worse to drive in. Stay safe everyone! The weather gods are angry this year. It's a good time to curl up with a light, fluffy book like Georgette Heyer. I'm reading Angela Thirkell now too.

[Susan in NC]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Oh my goodness Susan in Perthshire - I can not imagine 40 inches of snow! I've seen about 24" at a time. The storm has started already in Washington, DC where they don't know how to drive in snow (..."

Great choice- Thirkell always makes me smile; what are you reading? Stay warm and be safe if you have to travel in the funky weather!

[Susan in NC]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "We have had 15 inches, and friends in Cumbria and the west of Scotland had over 40 inches but it’s the 12 foot snowdrifts which caused the real problems."

Yowza!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Amazon is doing a promotion: 2 months of KU for .99 cents

New subscribers only
Offer expires March 11, 2018

If you have any family or friends that might want to try it out now is a good time :D

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/pro...

***Shamelessly cut/pasted from another group!

[QNPoohBear]

Susan in NC wrote: "
Great choice- Thirkell always makes me smile; what are you reading? Stay warm and be safe if you have to travel in the funky weather!
."

I'm almost done with Private Enterprise. As soon as I can get out when it's not raining or snowing whatever it's doing now, I'm going to grab the next one in the Barsetshire series.

My mom is in Pennsylvania right now and has to travel through the hard hit New Jersey to get home. She's supposed to return tomorrow as long as the highway is clear, has power and is not too windy. If not, she'll stay with her mother an extra day.

[Susan in NC]

Good for you, Thirkell can perk up the dreariest day. Wish mom safe travels, our local news just started with pictures of the snow slamming MA. You be careful out there, March weather is treacherous!

[Critterbee❇]

Doing OK, we seem to have missed the (most recent) storm here in Virginia, but thinking about everyone up north and in the UK and Europe, and hoping you are all warm and safe, with many books!

[Karlyne]

Spring is coming! Spring is coming! We're supposed to hit 60 next week! I'm giddy. And dying for flowers.

[QNPoohBear]

The storm mostly missed us on the coast as far as snow but my mom had a tough time on the highway in NJ with lights out and trees down. She was glad we made her get an iPhone so she could find another route home. My dad said there are pockets of central Mass. without power and snow and some without. It was strange. Some people reported 14-16 inches of snow and others only 2-3 inches all within a small area.

I sincerely hope the storms are done for the winter. The museum I work at has two unheated buildings and a strong breeze off the river. It's cold until June, then hot until October when we go back to freezing. I like my job but not in the cold!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've just had a fall in a local shop.

The shop owner was pretty useless about the whole thing. I rang my husband to pick me up. I'm ok but my left knee is swollen with a cut. & my brand new leggings were ruined.

My husband is going to see the shop owner tomorrow.

[Karlyne]

Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "I've just had a fall in a local shop.

The shop owner was pretty useless about the whole thing. I rang my husband to pick me up. I'm ok but my left knee is swollen with a cut. & my brand new leggi..."

Ow! Did you trip over something?!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "I've just had a fall in a local shop.

The shop owner was pretty useless about the whole thing. I rang my husband to pick me up. I'm ok but my left knee is swollen with a c..."

No the shop is two old shops now joined together. It did have a yellow & black strip to show 2 levels, but I didn't see it. I stumbled forward & landed on my left knee. It's swollen but not so sore now. :)

[Critterbee❇]

Oh dang, Carol! Ice that knee, have a cool drink and read some Devil's Cub!

[Karlyne]

Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "I've just had a fall in a local shop.

The shop owner was pretty useless about the whole thing. I rang my husband to pick me up. I'm ok but my left knee is ..."

Stay off of it as much as you can and let it heal. I tripped out of our front door last year and landed full-on flat-out. I thought I was dead, but after extensive freaking out and a month or so of horrific bruising, I'm back jogging. Haha, just kidding - I do not voluntarily run. But I'm back to walking fast!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Way ahead of all of you. Knee iced, chilled wine, 2 books & watching my favourite TV show. Life is good

[Barb in Maryland]

Ouch!! I'm glad your husband was able to come to your rescue. I have balance issues and am terrified of falling, as I definitely need major assistance getting back on my feet.
Your recovery routine seems perfect to me--nothing to add from me on that subject!

[Susan in NC]

QNPoohBear wrote: "The storm mostly missed us on the coast as far as snow but my mom had a tough time on the highway in NJ with lights out and trees down. She was glad we made her get an iPhone so she could find anot..."

Pretend you’re one of those American heiresses marrying into a titled family in Britain- no central heating in the manse! Sweater up - until tank top time.

[Susan in NC]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Ouch!! I'm glad your husband was able to come to your rescue. I have balance issues and am terrified of falling, as I definitely need major assistance getting back on my feet.
Your recovery routine..."

I’m with Barb - on both the “nothing to add, you’re a smart cookie” and having balance issues. But seriously, I’m very sorry, baby yourself, ice and elevate, and keep the wine and or anti-inflammatory OTC meds going (ibuprofen works for me). And of course, retire to your fainting couch with a good book!

[Nick]

Carol Clouds ꧁꧂ wrote: "Way ahead of all of you. Knee iced, chilled wine, 2 books & watching my favourite TV show. Life is good"

The best way to deal with any wound or sickness! I hope it heals fast.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thanks everyone. My husband has just gone to see the shop owner. Couldn't believe his poor response. He didn't even offer to phone Marty to come get me.

I couldn't get an appointment with the doctor today, so I have made an appointment for tomorrow. The main reason is to register a claim for ACC in case something goes wrong with my knee or right ankle (although that doesn't seem too bad)

[Karlyne]

Weird! Sounds like a crazy way to behave for a business owner.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Weird! Sounds like a crazy way to behave for a business owner."

I couldn't either. He used to live up the road from me & is well aware that I no longer drive. (I was a rotten driver & never enjoyed it)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& update.

My husband went to see the shop owner & got $20 to replace my torn leggings.

I went to the doctor yesterday. Not my own who was fully booked. All registered with ACC but I think I'm going to be fine. Still bruised but no longer sore.

[QNPoohBear]

Good news Carol! I fell up the step into the house on moving day two months ago and my knee is still bruised.

Yet another nor'easter on the way next week for the first day of spring!

[Critterbee❇]

SNOW DAY!!!!

[Karlyne]

❇Critterbee wrote: "SNOW DAY!!!!"

Yay! (Wait, is that a good thing?)

[Barb in Maryland]

Karlyne wrote: "❇Critterbee wrote: "SNOW DAY!!!!"

Yay! (Wait, is that a good thing?)"

Actually, no. Not a Good Thing at all. Here on the southern outskirts of Baltimore, we already have a hefty start on the 5-9 inches forecast and it is only noon. The local public schools have long since spent their allotted 'snow days' and are cutting into the spring break to make up instructional days.
We are so NOT looking forward to digging out, as my husband and I both are weak in back and knee and 'senior' citizens to boot.
But right now it sure is pretty and we have power, heat and food.

[Critterbee❇]

It is pretty, we have almost 7 inches and still going strong! An author event tonight has been cancelled - which is a shame. But we have power.

[Karlyne]

Well, ok, then! Everybody stay warm and dry. We have snow forecast for Saturday, because that's the one day we have to travel, but I'm hoping it's just going to be wet and soupy and not accumulate on the roads.

[Susan in NC]

Yes, take care all! We’re just getting a dusting here in Greensboro, NC; so much for spring starting yesterday. Hope you all keep power up north and it melts away soon! Take care!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Good news Carol! I fell up the step into the house on moving day two months ago and my knee is still bruised.

Yet another nor'easter on the way next week for the first day of spring!"

Yes my knee still sore but at least the swelling has gone down. I've been doing chair yoga! :)

Stay safe with your weather!

My husband has finally accepted we can't get to the South Island for 50 cents & we have booked the car ferry! We leave home on the 10th of April & will be gone just over 2 weeks.

Other than Nelson, we won't be going to the heavily touristed part of NZ though. My sister lives in The Luminaries part of NZ. Still gorgeous & very historic.

[Karlyne]

Which are the most touristed parts of NZ (South Island, I mean), Carol? I mean, just in case I get there someday I want to know what to avoid.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Which are the most touristed parts of NZ (South Island, I mean), Carol? I mean, just in case I get there someday I want to know what to avoid."

Queenstown without a doubt. Very beautiful, very expensive & last time I went I didn't feel like I was in NZ.

But a first time tourist should not miss the other big destinations! Wanaka is nearly as lovely as Queenstown, but not as expensive. Then there is also Franz Joseph Glacier,Te Anau, Milford Sound & (if you are very fit) The Great Walks - especially the Milford Track. Abel Tasman walk you only need reasonable fitness.

Secondary, I would call Nelson, Golden Bay, Oamaru (home of South Island's Steampunk festival)& Dunedin.Christchurch has started the rebuild & Ngaio Marsh's family home remained intact after the earthquakes.

This is just scratching the surface. You just about can't go wrong in the South Island!

[Karlyne]

Someday!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Karlyne wrote: "Someday!"

Note that I will expect you to come to the North Island too! I live in a very historic town only about an hour's drive from some of NZ's most beautiful beaches. Which means some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

Our guest room very comfy! :)

[Susan in NC]

Oh, Carol, you may regret putting that offer up...;)

[Karlyne]

Hahaha, just might!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, Carol, you may regret putting that offer up...;)"

I'm sure I won't, but only have space for 2 at a time! ;)

[QNPoohBear]

Critterbee Our schools in New England are probably close to cutting out April vacation as well. I'm traveling to a meeting in New Haven, CT tomorrow. We stopped at the CT shore at my parents' beach house. So far it's snowing but nothing is sticking. We had a few inches in the last storm and snow plow piles are still sticking around. UGH. Is it spring YET?

[Karlyne]

We have Spring Break next week, and all of my fingers and toes are crossed for decent weather. Not only will we have family travelling, but if the weather's rotten, where will I put them all?!

[Susan in NC]

Crossing fingers for you!