Snow came as predicted

What a difference a day makes.

© J Reed

But it'll be the sludge turning to ice which will prove troublesome.

Weather warning

I heard reports of some snow falling in King's Lynn this morning with talk of a few flurries forecast for Friday.

Not two feet of snow, though.

More snow and unwelcome biting wind

Although Pickenham broke free from zero at lunchtime today, gusting winds up to 30mph made it feel rather raw. Over a couple of inches of powdery snow covered the compacted icy stuff which made Bertie very frisky indeed!

© J Reed

Shelter from the salt, snow and slush

What's this, has North Pickenham Parish Council run out of funds to repair the rendering on the bus shelter or is this a new starter home initiative?

As you can see The Street is fairly clear with the gritted loop around the village with access to the A47 mainly just slushy but icy snow free. The pavements, though, give a clue to the state of the rest of our roads which today have a fresh sprinkle of snow on the compressed stuff, very slippery for man or machine.

All photos © J Reed

The council did kindly half fill our six or so salt bins today, which have been empty since before Christmas. Reminds me of Johnny Mathis singing with Denise Williams "Too much, too little, too late" for snow, salt and  time.

Seasonal slippery drivers

You have to see the funny side when Swaffham's Iceland won't do home deliveries to outlying villages, like the Pickenhams, because it's too, well, icy. Another store got a Christmas rapping from a caller to the Jeremy Vine show, lunchtimes on Radio 2, who complained that Asda had informed him, several days in advance, that his home Christmas dinner delivery could not be fulfilled. A ruined Christmas was forecast. Elderly, disabled or infirm and unable to visit a store as suggested by customer services? No, a driving instructor. Surely someone well qualified to venture out on this weeks slippery roads.

Hats off for holiday humbuggery has to go to the taxi driver who abandoned his fare between Barnham Broom and Norwich. The couple were left to walk for 90 minutes until an off duty driver from Swaffham picked them up and drove them home. The icing on this Christmas cake, the couple had pushed the errant hackney cab out of the snow before he drove into the night! Surely a candidate to be visited by his very own Jacob Marley.

Winter wonderland

Pickenham gained a new resident today, a stout fellow who has set up home on the outskirts on the way to Houghton on the Hill. Not sure if he'll stay long but he seems to fit in well with his surroundings. Today was one of life's rareties, perfection. A mix of fluffy snow, startling sunshine and breathless wind. I followed the deer around the field edges eventually wading through two foot drifts to the peaceful haven of St Mary's, just lovely.

The gritted sections of the roads towards the A47 were slushy and passable but why was Swaffham still in such a mess? It did take a couple of attempts to get back up my slightly inclined driveway, with the compressed snow now doubling as an ice hockey pitch, the roads will be tricky tomorrow.

All photos © J Reed

It's all very festive, as is the generosity of most of our neighbours in East Dereham. Some scrooge scallywags had felled the market place Christmas tree. Within the day well wishers have donated, planned and organised a replacement to be erected. Well done, truly the Christmas spirit (which probably had something to do with the evil deed in the first place).

Lots of energy but nowt to make warming tea

So the big news from these parts was not snow but the causations of snow. Following the 'War of the Worlds' lightning during last nights snow fall, I decided to give the film another watch. The machines were just rising from the ground, dematerialising NYC residents as they went, when they zapped the power supply. We used to get outages quite often here in winter months but, after an upgrade to the overhead wires, I have become a little complacent and stocks of candles and spare batteries are no longer stocked. Went to bed, after watching Ronin on the laptop aside a toasty wood burner, but awoke in darkness until the sun rose. Crispy walk later, with camera and dog, the snow descended again before power restored around 3pm. Most of the turbines were still turning throughout.
Energy energy everywhere, but not a drop to make a warm drink.

© J Reed

No, not a close encounter of any kind

You can learn something everyday and sometimes it can be quite illuminating. UFO, spiked red wine or over exuberant Christmas lights? No, thundersnow. First for me and, like the dry and silent night time lightning I experienced over 20 years ago, perhaps the last. Did bring to mind the start of the Tom Cruise 'War of the Worlds', spooky.
Here's a YouTube from the states.

Awaiting some snow

The forecast says snow but, just at the moment, Breckland is covered in freezing cold fog. This week has delighted with the brightest double rainbow I can remember, I did get a soaking though, and lovely sunny, crisp days when the turbines were still. At the moment it is just cold and dank with the warning of inches of snow maybe coming from our Benelux neighbours across the briny. Too late for the usual festive shot of Bertie in the snow for the Christmas card, had to do with some recognition from he up on high instead.

© J Reed