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With many of our ex-pats basking in sauna
conditions in the southern hemisphere, it's great to be able to
show readers what is happening in the old town.... and, thanks to
Derek Weatherall, we can. While I was wrapped up in doors and
giving my condensing boiler the kiss of life, Derek was out with
his camera and he has very kindly supplied a series of photos.
To some extent, we have escaped most of the
heaviest falls but we did receive a 2-3 inch covering late Sunday
afternoon and through the night. This turned the town into a Winter
Wonderland by the time Derek set out on Monday (4th Jan 2010).
Reeves Beach was quite a picture......
The sun shone over All Saints Church....
.... but with daytime temperatures at or below
zero, the snow has refused to budge. Thus, while salted and sanded
main roads are relatively clear, pavements and side roads such as
Summerfield Avenue (below) remain a hazard.
Incidentally, Summerfield Avenue is an extra
hazard as it has become a rat run following the creation of
traffic calming measures in nearby Castle Road. Even with that
snow, drivers are topping 30 mph (and more) but life is improving
since I received my main Christmas present - a police stinger.
Less hectic and more festive was this scene at
Tankerton Slopes....
It's the path leading from the western end of the
slopes to the White House and Beach Walk. I am not sure what they
call it now..... but it was always " Lovers Lane" in my
day.
The main section of Tankerton Slopes was bleak
with wind and weather moving in across the North Sea.....
Derek has captured one of the town's most scenic
locations below. It is, of course, the Tower Hill tea gardens...
The nearby Castle Grounds cannot be photographed
at the moment as they are still receiving their multi-million
pound makeover.
Apart from a few snow dustings, there have been no
substantial additions to our white stuff. However, with daytime
temperatures bouncing around zero and night time readings of
around -5C, our original covering has remained. At the time of
writing (9 am on 7th Jan), side roads remain hazardous and more snow is
expected in East Kent later today and overnight. However, all this
mild compared with falls of 18 inches and temperatures of -18C in
other parts of the south.
We have also avoided major power failures. Power
lines have collapsed in parts of Sussex and Hampshire leaving
ceratin parts without heating, lighting and hot water.
Anybody got a spare room in lovely, hot, steamy
Queensland? (I don't want go to South Africa as it looks as if we
are about to lose the Cape Town test match)
On behalf of all our readers (and especially
ex-pats), I would to thank Derek for taking the time to share his
photos with us.
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