In the Bleak Mid Winter
Thankfully the temperature raised its little head on Wednesday night to 3°C. That happened with a sprinkling of snow. I often heard jack say over the years that it was ‘Too cold for snow!’ Well up and until Wednesday night it was way to cold.
This is how the roads looked round and about where I live. Not a good idea for stepping out with my creaking hips. It would almost make you long for a surface like the old Naas Road leaving Dublin in the Kildare direction. It was made in concrete sections and you almost felt as if the wheels of the car were square, going thump[ity, thumpity, thump for mile after mile.
The roads around here are all modern Tarmac and they are fine for most of the year. It is the extremes that cause the problem. On the rare occasion that we have a heat-wave then the tar becomes soft and sticks to the soles of your shoes. Alas we are more used to the conditions of this week. The roads and pavements were like skating rinks and it was impossible to keep from sliding about. The best solution I have found is to wear a pair of old socks over my shoes - in extreme conditions who cares what I look like.
I wish I had footwear like these guys!
The photo was taken at Lough Neagh on a frosty day in December 2005.
TheChrisD said,
December 5, 2008 at 2:19 pm
So it’s not just cold and icy down here…
Sharon said,
December 5, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’ll have to remember the socks over shoes thing, too right it’s more important to stay upright than fashionable.
Nancy said,
December 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Grannymar,
I love the thought that you wear your socks over your shoes. I feel better now because some people think I am strange because I wear my wig under my hair……
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 6:52 pm
@ChrisD - It was really cold here.
@Sharon - stay safe and upright!
@Everyone - Nancy has emailed me to let me know that Darlene will not be online for a few weeks. She fell last week and broke her hip. She has had surgery and is now in a rehabilitation facility & will most likely be there for the next three weeks.
I Know you will join me in wishing her well and a speedy recovery.
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Nancy
There you go slipping in while I am busy typing!
I love the idea of the wig under your hair
Jefferson Davis said,
December 5, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I have never thought of using socks. Great idea!
We’ve had light dusting of snow twice here already. The temperature has been hovering around -3°C here every night. Frigid!
steph said,
December 5, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Poor Darlene
Just as well you wear your socks over your shoes, Grannymar
It’ll look great with the one you wear the one over your head!
I join with you in wishing Darlene a speedy recovery.
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 8:16 pm
@JD - Stay warm.
@Steph - Don’t you go laughing at my socks — one might be red and the other one blue — I lead a colourful life!
Magpie11 said,
December 5, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Have never met the lady but “Take it easy and get well Darlene”
When I was running regularly in the dim and distant past (specifically the winter of 1962-63.. as a 16 year old) I used to tie spare laces around my plimsolls/daps/pumps to stop slipping on the packed ice and snow…if no laces …..binder twine… a trick learned form one Reggie Watts, farmhand in Tunstead, Norfolk. This was before the days of training shoes.
Out in the fields it was wrapping your legs in news paper, tied with said binder twine, under two pairs of trousers. I’ve met people who wrap their feet in ali foil inside their wellies!
Magpie11 said,
December 5, 2008 at 8:40 pm
just looked at that road…..there were big boys at school who would have made slides on there!…no, not me as I never had the right ability to balance and always ended up on my back with my legs in the air.
I once got hauled over the coals by a headteacher when , as a young teacher, I taught the children the principles of making slides in the playground…. he was a real misery.
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Magpie
Some boys never grow up
Betty said,
December 5, 2008 at 9:29 pm
You be careful on that ice, Grannymar, or you may wind up in the next bed to Darlene.
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Betty
In weather like this I never open my back door, if I fell out there nobody would see me and I’d lie there until the spring. I have plenty of food in the freezer and cupboard, so there is no need to go out for a few days.
Baino said,
December 5, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Haha I love the idea of grannies walking around Belfast with their socks over their shoes, what next, knickers over their trousers (hey it worked for Superman). Lovely shot of the geese! Take heart all you cold people, it’s 33 here today, we’re heading for lunch by the harbour where it’s cool.
Grannymar said,
December 5, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Baino
Enjoy the the heat, the lunch and a cooling drink.
We don’t need ice in the glass the drink is already solid
Magpie11 said,
December 6, 2008 at 12:32 am
Only some boys?
You missed a trick there.
Grannymar said,
December 6, 2008 at 10:54 am
Magpie
Sure I had to leave you a reason to come back!
wisewebwoman said,
December 12, 2008 at 5:23 am
What a lovely shot, GM, I was bowled over.
As to icy conditions, see if you can get “Grippers’ there, they fit on over your shoes/boots and are absolutely amazing even on black ice which is the worst we get here. I’ve never felt so safe!!
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
December 12, 2008 at 9:01 am
WWW,
I must watch out for “Grippers’, they would certainly help. I think we notice the bad weather more this year since it is the first bad December for a long time. Hopefully the cold will kill all the bugs that are about.