The bad weather continues in England, with Nottingham receiving another few inches of snow this morning (although most of Monday's snowfall had melted by yesterday) and more predicted for tomorrow. I just can't get over how everything from schools to businesses are being closed left and right, but many people simply refuse to drive on the wet, snowy roads. I'm not sure I blame them--by the time the morning rush was over today there had been four accidents on one flat, four-lane road near by home.
Everyone is talking about the weather. For proof, I pause just a moment to hear what my "English sister" Julia (who's now married and is, alas, no longer my housemate) is saying to somebody downstairs at this very moment.
"I was literally passing car crashes as I went to work," she says. "There was one car stuck in the middle of an island with all of its lights flashing. One of my colleagues had to abandon her car two miles from work and walk the rest of the way."
Last week, however, I was far from Nottingham, down on the South Coast of England near Portsmouth for a conference. Although the conference was held on Hayling Island, I stayed in a hotel in the seaside town of Havant, which has a delightful town centre built on an ancient Roman road system. The parish church (below) dates from the 12th century.
Havant parish church
Soon this freak winter weather will pass and we'll be onto spring and seaside thoughts once more! If only my friends in Chicago were as fortunate!
I love this!! Reminds me of trying to explain the UK driving test to my American friends!!!