Shortest day, longest walk
Monday, December 21st, 2009 10:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caddymanAt lunchtime it was thawing, I'm sure it was; there was rain and everything - at least in Victoria.
And then, at some point in the afternoon it started snowing. Not much to begin with, so not to worry. But then it became clear that not everything was melting immediately. Admittedly in the Victoria area it was lying as slush, but slush is still ice, albeit very wet so I decided that it was probably best to leave. If it is lying in central London in any form other than water, the suburbs will be worse.
And so it transpired.
The Northern Line rarely fails to deliver and while the rest of London Underground was grinding to a halt because of the weather (before you laugh, remember that there is more of the Underground above ground than there is below it - this is one of the surreal truths that we Londoners love), the Karma Pixies on the Northern Line threw in trains stranded through lack of traction, PLUS multiple signal failures.
Thus it was that our train driver regretfully kicked us all out at Highgate and suggested we find alternate means of getting home. While I had been underground, the weather pixies had really gone to town: there was very little traffic - just the occasional car - and no busses. So we had to walk. I was not prepared for a walk. It's only 4.3 miles, but it was snow and ice all the way and I am a lardy boy. The first half was fine - very little traffic, as I said, not so many people about and fresh snow, but after that it became rather tiresome. The snow was well-trodden and slippery, meaning that baby steps were the order of the day. Then in the North Finchley area, it seemed as though it was beginning to melt and frankly, inside my coat I was just too warm. Nearer home it was colder and we were back to the compacted snow. Crivens, but I could feel it in my calf muscles. It wouldn't have taken half as long or been half as tiring if we could have walked properly, but for the last 2 miles or so that would not have been wise.
I think the bloody stuff is melting again, now, so I shan't have an excuse to stay home tomorrow!
I shall sleep well tonight, methinks!
And then, at some point in the afternoon it started snowing. Not much to begin with, so not to worry. But then it became clear that not everything was melting immediately. Admittedly in the Victoria area it was lying as slush, but slush is still ice, albeit very wet so I decided that it was probably best to leave. If it is lying in central London in any form other than water, the suburbs will be worse.
And so it transpired.
The Northern Line rarely fails to deliver and while the rest of London Underground was grinding to a halt because of the weather (before you laugh, remember that there is more of the Underground above ground than there is below it - this is one of the surreal truths that we Londoners love), the Karma Pixies on the Northern Line threw in trains stranded through lack of traction, PLUS multiple signal failures.
Thus it was that our train driver regretfully kicked us all out at Highgate and suggested we find alternate means of getting home. While I had been underground, the weather pixies had really gone to town: there was very little traffic - just the occasional car - and no busses. So we had to walk. I was not prepared for a walk. It's only 4.3 miles, but it was snow and ice all the way and I am a lardy boy. The first half was fine - very little traffic, as I said, not so many people about and fresh snow, but after that it became rather tiresome. The snow was well-trodden and slippery, meaning that baby steps were the order of the day. Then in the North Finchley area, it seemed as though it was beginning to melt and frankly, inside my coat I was just too warm. Nearer home it was colder and we were back to the compacted snow. Crivens, but I could feel it in my calf muscles. It wouldn't have taken half as long or been half as tiring if we could have walked properly, but for the last 2 miles or so that would not have been wise.
I think the bloody stuff is melting again, now, so I shan't have an excuse to stay home tomorrow!
I shall sleep well tonight, methinks!