Walker and dog rescued in the black mountains

[R1Geezer]

It's pi55ing down with snow and some numpty decides it's a good time to go walking, sorry but surely that is raving mental! She was rescued but surely the rescue services have enough to do without this level of stupidity, Crikey, I'm turning into Ahmskunni!

[Sandy-Wroe]

How long will it be before someone out on thin ice finds themselves under it?

[VHG]

It may not have been snowing when she set out.

Here in South East Birmingham yesterday at 09:45 there was no snow.

Then it began, and in about 30 minutes we had about 3 inches.

Weather can change quite dramatically you know.

Anyway what about the thousands of idiots who set out in their cars yesterday and then get stuck in snow or had to spend the night in their cars. To me they are far more stupid as you only had to watch the news yesterday to see it was NOT a day to go for journeys by car in certain areas.

Oh but I MUST get to work, my company cant manage without me for a day.

[Ankou]

perhaps in these times of redundancies and job losses, doing silly things to be seen as acting for the good of the company/job is one of economic survival rather than rationality. a year or two ago people would have stayed at home at the first sign of a snowflake, today they are desperate to keep the job they have.

from what i heard she had a fall in the mountains, so contacting rescue services was the right thing to do.

[New Judge]

You will not have to wait long, Sandy-Wroe. Here’s an extract from the BBC’ coverage of the weather:

“A six-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he fell into an ice-covered garden pond in Crookham Common near Thatcham, Berkshire, on Tuesday.”

To address your question, Geezer, I believe the lady in question set out in reasonable conditions but fell and broke her pelvis. She was unable to move and remained on the downs (or hills or wherever) as the snow began. Nonetheless I do think there are some numpties around. The worst I saw was a couple setting out in Snowdonia or some such Godforsaken place at the weekend. The ground already had a hefty covering, it was snowing heavily and they set out up a mountain track with a small child in a rucksack-like device strapped to the father’s back. Had he fallen over backwards (a distinct possibility in the conditions) the child would have been crushed.

Incidentally, The BBC’s website contains an in-depth analysis which addresses the question “Why is it so cold?” The answer (because it is January, this is the UK and it sometimes happens that way) takes about 10,000 words, multifarious charts and graphs, and is accompanied by a lengthy discussion forum. So now you know where your licence fee is going.

Still I’m glad I took the experts’ advice (many of them employed by the BBC). About five or six years ago I was told to heed their warnings of “Global Warming” (this was before its metamorphosis into “Climate Change”). I should, they told me, consider converting my garden to accommodate sub-tropical plants which thrive in arid conditions and, instead of growing leeks, carrots and onions should concentrate on grapes oranges and mangoes.

It rained all last summer. It’s been freezing for about the last three weeks. Who do I approach for some compo?

[Gromit]

New Judge

You seem to think that because it is snowing in winter, that that is evidence that Climate Change is not occurring. No one ever said there would be tropical conditions in January in the UK.

People in the past got on with their lives regardless of a little bit of snow. People walked to where they were going. Children played on frozen ponds and went to school. Now you all believe in the nanny state to its ultimate conclusion, and that we should all not move from our homes unless the gas runs out.

[chrissa1]

I remember 30 years ago, the local councils used to position snow blades at farms throughout the rural countys, and for a small consideration, (petrol money), the farmers would happilly get their tractors out in bad snow conditions and keep all the minor roads and lanes free of snow.

Makes sense doesn't it?

Of course it was stopped to save money!!

[New Judge]

Regardless of whether Climate Change or Global Warming or whatever is occurring, Gromit, people were told not too long ago that southern England was soon to become desert like, with water a precious, scarce resource. The climate (or the weather, take it as you will) was to become akin to that enjoyed in the Mediterranean (though the fact that most Mediterranean countries seem to have no problems meeting the demand for water was conveniently overlooked). Widespread planting of grapes and bougainvillea was recommended. Gardeners were advised to consider changing their gardening habits forthwith to accommodate this prophesy. All this followed a couple of reasonably hot, dry summers. It was, we were told “clear evidence” that the climate was changing. Now we have a coldish winter and this is no more evidence that climate change is or is not occurring than the hot summers were. I simply don’t like being fed a load of nonsense by so-called experts.

However, I quite agree with you when you say that the country’s reaction to moderate amounts of snow is ludicrous. I was at school in the winter of 1962-63. It first snowed on Boxing Day and did not thaw until mid-March. I cannot remember any schools being closed (mine certainly was not). Our reaction and failure to cope these last few days is laughable.