Weather forecast

[mumsisdaughter]

No school today and, I've just heard, none tomorrow. I think we could struggle through with time and care spent on the journey, were it not for the last 100 yards or so. The final road leads from the main road (just passable) DOWNHILL to the school. The Head and one of the Governors went in his 4x4 today and found the slope was a 100 yard icy slide. In other words, quick to get to the bottom but impossible to drive back up again in an ordinary vehicle.

Freezing temperatures expected tonight: -7C expected here but -20C in the Scottish Highlands! Pity this poor woman and her husband!

Woman still stranded after going to buy Christmas turkey

Heraldscotland staff

Published on 3 Jan 2010

A wife who went to the shops to buy a turkey for Christmas dinner still hasn’t made it home after being cut off by heavy snow.

 

Kay Ure, 54, left her house in the remote Scottish Highlands on December 19 on a shopping trip to Inverness.

But thick snow and blocked roads have left it impossible for her to return to husband John and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage they share in Cape Wrath, Sutherland, at Britain’s north-western tip.

The cafe owner is stranded 11 miles away in Durness where she is staying in a friend’s caravan.

But Mrs Ure hasn’t given up on the idea of Christmas dinner with her partner of more than 30 years.

She told a Sunday newspaper: “I think it will be a few days yet as the road from our home is dangerous.

“Part of it is known as the Wall of Death so I don’t want John attempting it until it’s clear.

“I’m looking forward to a belated Christmas dinner but it might be Burns’ Night before I get to eat it.”

The couple run a cliff-top cafe in one of Britain’s most isolated spots.

Mrs Ure left for Inverness on an organised shopping excursion. Her husband drove her the 11 miles to a jetty where their boat is moored and from there they crossed the Kyle of Durness where she was picked up by a minibus.

On her return to Durness the heavy snow had blocked the route to the lighthouse and Mr Ure, 57, was unable to make the drive to pick her up.

The pair have spoken on the phone each night they have been apart and their Christmas presents remain unopened.

Mr Ure said he spent Christmas Day with their six Springer Spaniels and served two walkers who popped into the cafe.

The couple moved from Glasgow to Durness several years ago before moving further north to Cape Wrath.

They opened the lighthouse cafe in the summer.


Now that's a story!

Comments

[versailles-rose.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's amazing. I've heard the UK has had a record winter this year.

[gairid.livejournal.com]

What sort of snow removal systems do you have in place there? This kind of winter is not typical for you if I am not mistaken.

I feel bad for that woman's family (and for her, too!) in Scotland--I hope she can get home soon!

We're looking at snow coming in overnight and into tomorrow. What a winter, eh?

[mumsisdaughter]

This is the longest/coldest period since 1981, which I don't remember for some reason so was probably in a different part of UK, likely the East.

However, I do remember the 62/63 winter, which lasted so long that it was still snowing in April and my Mum remembers '47 when it was so cold that the sea froze along the Lancashire coast.

We don't 'remove' snow because it's not a regular thing although I believe Scotland has some snowploughs. Our councils have gritting lorries that scatter saltgrit on major roads, which is fine if you can get to the main roads. At the moment, there is a 2mile queue, at the salt mine in Cheshire, of gritting lorries waiting to be filled.

Of course, there are folk moaning that councils should do more, without taking the logistics into account. Traditionally, each household cleared their own path to the road and the pavement outside their house. Now, we've got crazy folk saying not to do it in case someone slips on a bit you've cleared because they could sue!! Mind you, most houses had coal fires and could scatter their own ashes and cinders but now coal fires are rare so the communal clearing of ice and snow has ceased.

The youngsters are enjoying having the time off school and playing in it! Google 'snow dalek' for a laugh. :D

[pinigir.livejournal.com]

Wow, is it really that bad in the UK? Would be very weird to be stranded like that!

In the Netherlands we've had quite a lot of snow and frost, but nothing causing such major problems. There were a few days on which there was a weather alarm and certain trains were canceled, but that was it.

Hopefully the weather in your area will clear up soon (unless you want to stay at home, of course).

[mumsisdaughter]

Many (but not all) major roads are open, trains are running but flights are cancelled. Local bus services are patchy, depending on the actual route.

The main problem for travelling is ungritted minor roads and those with inclines (not a big issue in Netherlands :)), steep or otherwise. Some places are expected to drop to -18C tonight. The snow has frozen solid, making walking and driving hazardous on uncleared surfaces.

We shouldn't complain though because it's not been this bad since 1981. Other Northern countries have it worse than this every year. We're just not used to it. Yes, I'm enjoying the extended holiday, giving me extra time to get on with my husband's accounts and some schoolwork. Thanks for your thoughts. :)