WDB
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Post by WDB on Nov 30, 2017 11:54:24 GMT
I'm in a taxi on the way home from Heathrow, supposed to be be jumping straight in the car to drive the family to Durham for M-in-L's funeral at midday tomorrow.
But the BBC forecast looks grim: something like a blizzard tonight, although calmer and warmer Friday and Saturday.
For anything else, I'd say 'sod it' and stay at home. That would take some doing this time, though. We have rooms booked for two nights that I can't cancel, but I'm pondering options: get as far north as we safely can this evening and press on in better weather and daylight in the morning?
Thoughts and local observations welcome.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 12:03:12 GMT
I'd go as far as I possibly could tonight. Safely, of course. Get as much under the belt as possible so that tomorrow really is a new day, not simply a continuation of the suffering.
The morning of the funeral I cannot imagine you want to be in the car for any longer than necessary.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 12:03:40 GMT
I'm always minded to get 'there' as soon as possible if there's a chance of disruption. But I appreciate the dilemma. It could go wrong either way.
Sorry for your continuing troubles.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 12:04:47 GMT
Can't speak for anyone else, but I;d see my M-I-L's funeral as the end of many troubles, rather than the continuation.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 12:06:42 GMT
The motorways will be wet but moving. Depending how far into the Land of the Prince Bishops you are venturing you might find it's the last mile(s) that could be problematic.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Nov 30, 2017 12:51:25 GMT
Thanks chaps. That more or less echoes my thinking, but the unknown is finding rooms tonight if we decide we've gone as far as we can. May have to leave that to the co-driver - who is, however understandably, not as with-it as I would like.
Target tonight is Chester-le-Street. Not too many minor roads involved.
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Post by tyrednexited on Nov 30, 2017 15:28:17 GMT
The snow has just hit low-level North Nottinghamshire, but it is only flurries, and not settling at all.
Whilst the minor roads on the Yorkshire wolds are getting it in the neck, frankly, the A1 should keep moving in all but the very worst of weather.
At the moment, traffic cameras are showing the settled snow from the A66 Junction (Scotch Corner) North, but it is light, and the carriageways are clear and traffic moving.
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Post by Humph on Nov 30, 2017 17:16:50 GMT
You’ll be fine, just take it easy
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 17:24:23 GMT
Take it easy in a large, heavy, powerful RWD car. Use the speed limiter to stop you going crazy and just go with the flow. The A1 is a very busy road with lots of lorries, so it should be fairly free of traffic stopping snow at all times.
It's not yet snowing in North Manchester - but bloody cold. Hopefully it wil stay that way.
Condolences and all that..
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Nov 30, 2017 20:52:47 GMT
We made it. Some pretty heavy flurries from Wetherby northwards, and there's clearly been a fair amount around Durham, but the main roads (A167 anyway) are impressively clear. Only real slithery bit was the last 200m up to the serviced farm apartments we're staying in.
Now for a pizza and a glass of wine.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 21:22:14 GMT
A *glass* of wine?
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Post by Hofmeister on Nov 30, 2017 21:30:43 GMT
yes good grief, you have a funeral tomorrow, so traditionally you need to hit the gin. Saying that, have just cracked open a bottle of "Star of Bombay", a small batch gin from the Laverstock distillery, with some additional botanicals. Strong but very smooth and has a unique slightly licoricey secondary taste. Yummy |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Dec 1, 2017 7:27:42 GMT
The Laverstoke distillery apparently does tours combined with gin-mixing classes. I could be very tempted by that. If I still lived in neighbouring Overton, as I did for five years in the 1990s, I'd be there in a flash - which probably isn't the best idea in a distillery. 🤔
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2017 8:09:43 GMT
No such thing as thread drift around here...
Condolences WDB
We've touched on driving, bereavement and family duties, wine and gin in less than a page...
On the topic of gin, has anyone tried the Botanist? Not from your usual source this comes out of the Bruichladdich distillery on Islay.
A very pleasant drink though I couldn't tell you what it reminded me of after the third well stocked glass. SWM wasn't very impressed in the hole I'd made in her new found tipple.
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Post by Hofmeister on Dec 1, 2017 8:29:34 GMT
The Laverstoke distillery apparently does tours combined with gin-mixing classes. I could be very tempted by that. If I still lived in neighbouring Overton, as I did for five years in the 1990s, I'd be there in a flash - which probably isn't the best idea in a distillery. 🤔 Not sure about the gin mixing class, I did the tour of the Laverstoke distillery week or two back. (in fact second day I had the Beemer) Its a fantastic old site, was a paper mill that made banknote paper. The two main large stills are visible but not accessible, and they have two smaller batch gin stills, where you get the full tour and spiel, and even taste (on your finger) the raw near 100% proof stuff. Part of the tour is a botanicals room, where you get to smell all the various types, punch your favs onto a card, and then they will mix you a cocktail to your profile. Needs to be booked, but its a very very worthwhile tour. Had a meal in the White Heart in Overton, New chef and staff, good food. |
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