British Christmas weather, Strikes and fires

21/12/2012

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As people in the UK get ready for Christmas there are always last minute hitches. Some are within your control and others are not. Strikes and appalling weather are not.

As the world did not end around three hours ago as predicted, it is time to consider both and the impact they may have on you this Christmas.

Strikes
Today, December 21, 2012, many people are starting their vacations. For some they will finish work today and make the journey home, to wherever that may be. Others will have booked a vacation in the sun and be hoping to jet off to warmer climes. All could be dissappointed. The latest news is that  the threat of strikes appears to have been lifted. We will update this information when news is available. Travel disruption has been caused though by a fire at a major London Station and the terrible weather.

Fire
The fire at Paddington Station will cause major disruption throughout today. This will affect those trying to get to airports in and around London. The latest on this from the Telegraph is:
The fire in an equipment room at Acton station in west London has led to many services being cancelled to Paddington station, forcing travellers to find alternative routes on one of the busiest days of the year.
According to Network Rail, the fire meant only two of the four lines were open on Friday morning.

Network Rail said the fire damage was so extensive it has had to rebuild the equipment room from the ground up but it hopes to have all lines back open "some time this morning".

No trains were running between Paddington and Heathrow Airport, putting extra pressure on the Tube network where there were delays on the Jubilee Line following a signal failure.

What caused the fire is not yet known. Thankfully it was caught in time and although it has caused travel disturbances there are no reports of casualties.

A Wet Christmas.
Once again it looks as if the UK will not have a white Christmas. It is however set to have a wet one.

You would think that we in the UK would be used to wet weather but in recent years it has been very different. Since summer flooding in 2007 there have been many incidencies of flooding. Many more than in the past. Some may be on newly developed land that was not fit for purpose but much of the flooding is in residential areas of long standing.

Apart from climate change Briton's love of their cars has not helped. Too many small gardens have been paved or concreted over to house a beloved second car. Many people who have a garage opt to park on this area instead for convenience and supposed security. These changes have impacted on wildlife in cities and towns and increased the risk of flooding.

When torrential rain falls these days it has nowhere to go. In the end the inadequate, aniquated drainage system cannot cope. The amount of rain has been more than it used to be and the ground is already waterlooged. This could mean that flooding occurs from the ground up.

Flooding is a terrible event when it strikes. At Christmas it could be all the more miserable with few services open for business, cold weather and long delays if for example you need power restoring.

Travel in the UK
If you are in the UK over Christmas bear inmind transport disruption. There will be heavy traffic in the run in and lead out of the Holiday Season. There will be poor driving conditions due to bad weather. Some roads are closed already due to flooding. Make sure when you travel that you have a few supplieas with you in case your journey is delayed.

Above all though have a Happy Christmas.

Weather updates here

UK Christmas survival guide here
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Christmas alive and well in the UK

25/12/2011

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A link sent to me from Canada, either to annoy, amuse, baffle or respond has managed to get me having a quick post Christmas lunch write. It concerns a National Post article about how the Brits have Stolen Christmas. I wondered what on earth we were being accused of now. It seems to be "knock the UK" of late, that is unless you are a country wanting to get your hands on our wealth, our banks or our military.

So here is the gist.

The top and the bottom of the article is that we plummy accented Brits have strict guidelines over Christmas protocol and look down our noses at those who do not comply. Well I hate to use such a word on Christmas Day but as it is the only one suitable as a reply, Bollocks. I would suggest to the writer that they change their so called friends or acquaintances and try to meet some real Brits.

In our Northern City Christmas trees begin to appear in people's windows form as early as Mid November. A little too early but it is up to the householder. After all they have to live with it for the next few weeks. Children of course love this early Christmas start. This writer usually manages to last till the beginning of December. By then the draw of having pretty lights and more around the home will wait no longer. With  Christmas Trees being erected early many people now choose to take them down on New Year's day for a clean start. Again up to them.

Christmas lunch tends to have the trimmings such as sprouts, chestnuts, roast potatoes, roast parsnips and more but these days people are quite flexible. Gone are the days when certain foods are served because they are traditional and everyone leaves more food on their plate that they eat. As for the Bird of the Day that too depends. Amongst work colleagues the Christmas Day meat choice varied. Some opted for Turkey others Duck, Beef, Pork, Lamb and more. Goose was hardly mentioned. We ended up going for Gammon. We are out for Christmas supper and hate to have meat left to eat the next day.

We have now opened all our Christmas presents which have been teasingly nestled below one of our Christmas trees. Yes we are tacky and have had more than one tree this year. I like to think that they were all tasteful though. However if tacky floats your boat go for it.

As for following the Royal rule what Bull**it. Over here most of us have little time for the British Royals. That dysfunctional family may have global appeal but it is many years since this writer listened to a Queen's speech. In fact it is probably around 48 years ago when I was a child. You need to bear in mind that the British Royals come from German stock and follow different traditions to the British people.

I know few people these days in the UK who bother to tune in. After all no matter what you think of the Queen and the rest of her gang they bear no relation to the UK and its people. They live in a fantasy world or fairy story. After all that is where Kings, Queens, Princess and Princesses belong. Not in the real world.

Working in a hospital I have colleagues who had their Christmas Day yesterday as they have to work today. Our ward doctor is Polish but his wife is French Canadian. Sadly her parents are over for Christmas but he has to work all the Christmas Days. It seems in the North of England we are multi-cultural and very flexible.

The article in the National Post writes of an England pre the Second World war and even then possibly only of the privileged few. Perhaps the writer needs to broaden their horizons. Happy Christmas one and all. Remember Christmas is what you make it so make it one that suits YOU and sod the rest.
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