My back gardenAs you may have heard, Northern Europe is under the Big Chill. Southern England got a second belting on Saturday. My wife had tickets for a theatre in London so she and No 2 Daughter trundled up to town. She paid extra to go on the high speed line as this is kept clear by the trains. It started snowing half way up the line and when she reached the London Terminus, she was advised to turn around and go home. I tried to take the car down the hill to the station to pick her up.
We live on the Kentish North Downs. For those not in the know, the North Downs are hills south of London - confusing thing, English.
The High StreetAfter an hour, I made it the two miles down to the High Street. Where I live, the village High Street is on the A2, known to the Saxons as Watling Street, the old Roman Road from Rochester to Canterbury.
Rainham ChurchI reached Station Road opposite our Church, built in the 12th Century by the Normans after The Conquest. I didn't dare turn down it as it was jammed with cars trying to get up the hill. The railway line runs along the old Saxon Shore.
Rainham Church
The Coach and Horses
Next to the church is the 16th Century coaching inn.
Close to homeI turned back up the hill. thirty minutes later I turned for home. It was not fun driving along this in a front-wheel drive hatchback, even though it is a high tech European Ford.
Home
Made it! The view from my front garden.
Most of the snow's gone in Gravesend, thank god, I getting sick of now. Are we gonna get a white Xmas though???????
ReplyDeleteBlimey! It sounds like you've had your share of the adventure.
ReplyDeleteWe've had it relatively easy in the south compared to the North of England, but even so driving conditions have been appalling. The biggest problem though seems to be the large proportion of drivers with no intelligence or sense of self preservation. I've had several near misses due to people just not exercising caution or being in a hurry to kill themselves.
ReplyDeleteGravesend was bad but a lot better now, don't want anymore.
ReplyDeleteHeh, we had more snow last December than you probably had the past ten years (on the other hand...no White Christmas this year unless we get a snow machine).
ReplyDeleteBut...this should give John more time to paint minis, get hooked on "Dystopian Wars" and finish a certain novel...
Dear Ray and Lurker
ReplyDeleteI think the whole of Kent was clobbered. We were in Canterbuty yesterday and it was v. slushy.
J
Dear Porky
ReplyDeleteOh yes, my life is a rich tapestry. :)
J
Dear Fred
ReplyDeleteProbably more than the last twenty years. We don't do snow in southern England. I saw Dystopian wars on your blog. Looks interesting. Just two and a quarter chapters to go on the novel. The big battle starts soon.
J.
Dear Lee,
ReplyDeleteBut Northerners are northern. They do snow and ice and stuff. We are effete southerners.
Yu are right 'bout hal-wittedness. Anti-lock brakes are useful but they can't change the laws of physics.
J
Please sir...please sir...may we have an eARC?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it is getting close. Looking forward to it.
Dear Fred
ReplyDeleteToni decides that sort of thing but I intend to finish the novel in a fortnight or so. Hope you like it.
J