Snow in the UK

The winter deluge that gripped the country has become a palaver. Turn on the news, the radio or eavesdrop a conversation and you will hear people talking about it. The heavy snow in the UK is unprecedented in the living memory of many people. It is said to be the worst in 50 years. Even the older people will stop saying "we used to have a lot of snow before the climate changed". Because it is unprecedented, no amount of salt and grit that we currently have is going to be enough to cope with this type of event. Still, the blame game by the media has not stopped. Local councils, Highways Agency, Transport Ministry and the Prime Minister are all getting a lot of flak from the public for something that is beyond their control.

One of Trafalgar Square's frozen fountains

Yes, it's climate change, not global warming. The language has changed. Even gas-guzzlers are getting back their respect. They used to be seen as "lepers" by environmentalists. The media are now calling them 4x4s as they continue to make news of how they've become heroes of the day - lifting stranded vehicles off snow-covered roads, rescuing stranded hikers off the mountains, rushing pregnant women to hospitals and delivering medical supplies and food to villages cut off by the snow.

In London, we're not as worse off as compared to those in other parts of the country. Our lives are only disrupted by the public transportation systems. But those in Scotland and the highlands have to live with cut off access to the basics like medicine, food and power. Poor things.

As for me, the snow has certainly altered the way I did things for the week. For a start, I did not cycle and run the entire week. Only simple workouts in the gym. I've also bought a heater to supplement the heater in my room. It's going to cost a bomb on the bill soon. But what is money if you're dead right? On that note, the snow has also made me think about how those innocent white fluffy stuff can be dangerous and fatal to many; and how I've taken basic things for granted, like the warmth from the heater and easy access to food as some parts of the country are still deprived of these as we speak.

Outside the house

The morning after the first heavy snow fall, I nearly slipped and fell in front of my own doorstep as I stepped onto the "white carpet". It was then I realised my working shoes weren't made for this type of condition. The sub-zero temperatures relatively made my fridge the heater. But this also means that the snow on the roads will stay for some time, i.e more slippery roads and risk of falling.

Snow covered walkways at the Southbank

Wellington boots to prevent slips and falls?

The weather is forecast to remain like this until the end of the month as the North Pole and Siberia send more snow and chill over. But the weather forecast in the UK is only accurate for 24 hours. So I do hope this is the last of Siberia for now.

View of Regent's Park from the office

Jubilee Gardens and the London Eye

Yesterday was alpine conditions. It was clear, sunny and cold. Great for photography. Most of the gardens and fields are still covered in snow. At the moment, the daytime temperature has inched a little. It's 1 deg C now. This means the ice will have a chance to thaw in daytime. Without new snow falling, things should get better. We'll see.