Snow.

[Gramaisc]

I went to Birmingham last night (and back).

The walk to the station around four o'clock was a bit of an epic and the station was full of people making some very strange journeys. To get to Rugeley involved going to New Street and coming back the other way, for example.

My train down was as on time as I would expect - just a few minutes late, as some 'faster' trains were allowed past. On the way back, I ended up on a delayed train which left twelve seconds before my official train would have and got back here quicker, only stopping twice.

The wind on the walk back was impressive - I did find some pigeon spikes in the snow outside the Butler's Bell and there was clearly potential for some bigger stuff to come down when you were in the proximity of buildings.

I think that I had a much better experience than most travellers, though...

 

[Mikinton]

Woke this morning to a cold house and a code EA 227 on the thermostat and boiler. So that's my first job of the day.

All sorted. It took about an hour or so. Not sure what was the most effective - the hairdryer, the hotwater bottle or the teatowels in boiling water - but whatever it was, it worked. Just got to make sure it doesn't happen again, so it's now lagged and hidden behind the wheely bins.

 

[staffordjas]

All sorted. It took about an hour or so. Not sure what was the most effective - the hairdryer, the hotwater bottle or the teatowels in boiling water - but whatever it was, it worked. Just got to make sure it doesn't happen again, so it's now lagged and hidden behind the wheely bins.

Wish ours was easily accessible ! It comes out the wall below the landing window, half way across the garage roof, and the end of the pipe hangs over the garage guttering. So means getting the ladders out .

Fired up about half an hour ago and we now have a warm house for the first time in 2 days

Hubby just rang to say a memo has gone around that his works will be closing early a 2pm because of the weather conditions . Quite a few of them have a long commute.

 

[stoofer34]

I went to Birmingham last night (and back).

The walk to the station around four o'clock was a bit of an epic and the station was full of people making some very strange journeys. To get to Rugeley involved going to New Street and coming back the other way, for example.

My train down was as on time as I would expect - just a few minutes late, as some 'faster' trains were allowed past. On the way back, I ended up on a delayed train which left twelve seconds before my official train would have and got back here quicker, only stopping twice.

A few years ago Rugeley Town via Birmingham New Street was a permissible route . So one might buy a return ticket to Rugeley Town for about £3 and break your journey at New Street. They have probably cottoned on now!


S

 

[Noah]

Fun this morning. Penkridge-Cannock road closed from Pillaton through to Cannock; A34 closed from Pottal Pool up past the Bednall turn; road from Pottal Pool to Rugeley blocked by a fallen tree; snow drifting across the A449 but passable with care. All roads into Teddesley were blocked, son-in-law helping to pull cars out of snowdrifts with his Land Rover last night when he got stuck, roads there now clear and his vehicle safely recovered. Wrong sort of snow!

 

[Lucy]

Wish ours was easily accessible ! It comes out the wall below the landing window, half way across the garage roof, and the end of the pipe hangs over the garage guttering. So means getting the ladders out .

Fired up about half an hour ago and we now have a warm house for the first time in 2 days

Hubby just rang to say a memo has gone around that his works will be closing early a 2pm because of the weather conditions . Quite a few of them have a long commute.

Can you pour the water out of the landing window?

 

[Carole]

All roads into Bednall now clear.
A village e mail went out asking anyone with a snow shovel to come along and dig the village to freedom.
Then the farmers turned up with various diggers and the road got cleared.


Before

After

Later

I was then able to go into Stafford to purchase comestibles for tomorrow's books and Bacon Baps Coffee Morning.

 

[Mikinton]

All sorted. It took about an hour or so. Not sure what was the most effective - the hairdryer, the hotwater bottle or the teatowels in boiling water - but whatever it was, it worked. Just got to make sure it doesn't happen again, so it's now lagged and hidden behind the wheely bins.

Oooops ... it seems like we've been doing it wrong. The plumber on the lunchtime ITN news said we shouldn't use boiling water as it may crack the pipe, and that we should use hot water from the tap instead.

(Yes, that's what he said )

 

[staffordjas]

Can you pour the water out of the landing window?

Thought about that, but it would mean pouring it and just hoping it landed on the pipe which is right against the wall. Only got a top opening on that window, so the windowsill would probably mean it would miss it.

Oooops ... it seems like we've been doing it wrong. The plumber on the lunchtime ITN news said we shouldn't use boiling water as it may crack the pipe, and that we should use hot water from the tap instead.

(Yes, that's what he said )

Thanks for that advice , won't boil the kettle fully then next time . (Haven't got hot water in our taps when the boiler isn't working ..)

 

[staffordjas]

Started snowing again here at the moment

 

[Mikinton]

Just wondering if it's possible to blow hot air up the pipe. I might try that next time.

 

[Gramaisc]

Just wondering if it's possible to blow hot air up the pipe. I might try that next time.

Not the best chat-up line - but, worth trying in hope....

 

[Lucy]

We were advising people to use a hairdryer if they could, along with water.

 

[Gramaisc]

We were advising people to use a hairdryer if they could, along with water.

Some people have these steam-jet things these days - that strikes me as possibly the best device for this application.

This is near Killeigh, in Co Offaly.

 

[Cue]

Just wondering if it's possible to blow hot air up the pipe. I might try that next time.

If it's frozen shut completely you may struggle to get the hot air up it. Our heating engineer has tried hot water down the pipe too without much luck, it just ends up cooling after the first inch or two and then you've got even more water to freeze in the pipe.

 

[Entropy]

Currently snowing sideways in Coventry....this should make for a fun drive home later :/

 

[PeterD]

It must be cold the fire has been on 3 times this week, clearly we must be made of money.

 

[proactive]

Had the Chase all to ourselves this morning. Hard going in places but very enjoyable nonetheless.

 

[Lucy]

I just went to Gnosall to the shop. I met a 4x4 coming the other way. They refused to reverse so I had to in my little SEAT Ibiza. This happened on 2 separate occasions.

 

[Gramaisc]

I just went to Gnosall to the shop. I met a 4x4 coming the other way. They refused to reverse so I had to in my little SEAT Ibiza. This happened on 2 separate occasions.

Too many knobs, switches and levers + too little brain.