Hint: it's winter.

No, it's spring (according to Met office rules). But it's still below zero here, with a crystal-clear full moon in the night sky.

Our date with winter is set for Thursday, with up to 20 cm snow and warnings coming at us with increasing urgency. It's not much, by world standards, but quite enough to paralyse the British road network (and possibly more besides). I feel the need for a pre-emptive visit to the grocery store tomorrow.

No, it's spring (according to Met office rules). But it's still below zero here, with a crystal-clear full moon in the night sky.

Our date with winter is set for Thursday, with up to 20 cm snow and warnings coming at us with increasing urgency. It's not much, by world standards, but quite enough to paralyse the British road network (and possibly more besides). I feel the need for a pre-emptive visit to the grocery store tomorrow.

20cm? https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2023/March-23/March-2023-Snow-Survey Survey depth 116.5 inches or 296 cm. It's coming https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/atmospheric-river-aim-snow-weary-california-this-week

Well, I made it to the grocery, so I should be OK over the weekend. And emerged to the first few tentative flakes of the white stuff.

I'm at nearly 54° north, so you might think the comparison would be with Canada rather than California. But our Western ocean has a far more benign influence over our local climate than yours does. We get far fewer heavy snow events than you do, and as a result, we can - normally - afford to be complacent about them. We own, and can deploy, far fewer snow clearance vehicles for road/rail/airport use: and most of our drivers have never heard of special winter tyres/tires. In that respect, our behaviour is probably more similar to Texas!

I'm at nearly 54° north, so you might think the comparison would be with Canada rather than California. But our Western ocean has a far more benign influence over our local climate than yours does. We get far fewer heavy snow events than you do, and as a result, we can - normally - afford to be complacent about them. We own, and can deploy, far fewer snow clearance vehicles for road/rail/airport use: and most of our drivers have never heard of special winter tyres/tires. In that respect, our behaviour is probably more similar to Texas!

Growing up in Dundee, we would carry chains in the winter. (Modern ones are a lot easier and quicker to fit!) These were especially useful if taking the A939 over the Lecht. (The most frequently blocked by snow road in UK.) I assume that is among A roads and doesn't include more minor ones.

It's finally arrived. This is the scene from my front door this morning:


The kids are enjoying the recreation ground to the left, but it looks like I've got some work later with the snow shovel.

Now it's really precarious getting out of that porch without scratches on the side (Suuz still wears them proudly! 😄)

Mine's the same. Fortunately, clearing the yard is very therapeutic: shovel to the left, and scoop it over the wall.

Not wise to do too much at once, at my age: 20 minutes will do for a stretch.


One neighbour walked past and simply said 'hi': the other at least said she'd lend a hand when she gets back from walking the dog.

It's finally arrived. This is the scene from my front door this morning:


The kids are enjoying the recreation ground to the left, but it looks like I've got some work later with the snow shovel.

That's why snowmen were invented. To get the kids to clear it.

I wouldn't help if I were there either, but that's because I have overloaded my left arm in September already helping someone move. It's not healed yet, it's even gotten worse. Will have an ACP injection in the affected tendon next month, I specifically asked for that. Then healing process is 4 months, with normal use, instead of 12-24 with limited use.

I wouldn't help if I were there either, ...

She came back just after I'd started my fourth shift. We worked together for a while, and then she sent me back in, while she continued with the end where we park our cars. Fair dos.

(she's an ex-postie - postal delivery worker - so she knows how important it is for her current colleagues, to at least have the paths clear)

(she's an ex-postie - postal delivery worker - so she knows how important it is for her current colleagues, to at least have the paths clear)

Could have done with people like that back in the day.

https://twitter.com/AsteroidWatch/status/1638199889690521600
Get your telescope out, or binoculars.

"A newly discovered #asteroid named 2023 DZ2 will safely pass by Earth on Saturday at 100K+ miles away. 🌎

While close approaches are a regular occurrence, one by an asteroid of this size (140-310 ft) happens only about once per decade, providing a unique opportunity for science."

How long can SETI slumber before being considered dead? #askingforafriend

How long can SETI slumber before being considered dead? #askingforafriend

A long time yet, Rip Van Winkle had a 20 year nap.

How long can SETI slumber before being considered dead? #askingforafriend

A long time yet, Rip Van Winkle had a 20 year nap.

And Sleeping Beauty was out for 100 years.

Thank you, Star Trek Picard. In Episode 10, Season 3, they used the Seti screen saver.
https://imgur.com/mGCIenx
https://imgur.com/ipuZt5T

Bump... Last slumbering post was 21 days ago - Posted: 20 Apr 2023, 19:13:58 UTC.

As you were, Back to sleep every one. Zzzzzzzz

Beat ya, getting longer. :-)
29 days.