The last couple of winters have been snowy here but we missed them because we were in drought-stricken WA. Here on the west coast we are protected by the Gulf Stream from most cold weather, but every 5 or 10 years we might get good snow.
It's always been a problem for the government because we can go for years with hardly any snow so there's no point in stock-piling salt and grit, and keeping snow-ploughs running for the few weeks that we need it.
I think snow-chains on cars should be available though, and those grippy things that strap onto shoes. I saw a pair in our local hiking shop for about £20 but I didn't get them. I think I should have - it's cheaper than a pair of proper snow shoes. And the council could deliver a bag of grit to each household for us to spread ourselves.
Yesterday we were outside in our road with 2 of the neighbours clearing the road. We cleared the junction to the next road and 6 homes between us. The kids built igloos and snowmen. It was fun and neighbourly.
No sand or salt or snow plows? Wow!! Do people just stay home when it snows or do they try to go to work?
Your photos are STUNNING!! You looked like you had so much fun too.
We had a snowstorm on Wednesday and I didn't take any photos. It was a snow day for us (even with our snow plows, grit and snow blowers!!) and I spent the day cleaning our house. It was long over due and I was happy to have the time!!
There are some snow ploughs, but they only use them for motorways or major routes. They do grit some of the roads with rock salt, but again only the main roads. Our road is two streets away from the nearest gritted road. I'd like to say that the residents clear their own patches, but on my 10-minute walk to church this morning, only our little end of the cul-de-sac and one other house had done any clearing.
We just aren't geared up for bad weather. And after this week it will probably all melt and be gone anyway. See the problem? Just a few snowy days in a whole winter? You can see why the government doesn't want to bother. It's cheaper to have people call in for those few days than to pay out to clear it.
