The forecast was for a little bit of rain and sleet early evening. Boy did they get it wrong! We were hit by a full-scale blizzard which started around 4pm, and the snow is still falling outside (more slowly now) at 11.30pm. It's mayhem out there and once again we're cut off from the rest of Brighton.
The drive home over the top of the South Downs (usually a 10 minute hop) took three hours in the worst conditions I've encountered in over 35 years of driving. Truly awful and dangerous conditions. Cars were struggling to get up the hills (some couldn't make it), and struggling even more not to tumble and slide down the other side (some couldn't make it). And there are a lot of hills in the space of two and half miles. Numerous reports of accidents (some severe unfortunately) and general gridlock on many of the major roads in the area with road closures and an abundance of abandoned cars (including mine… I hiked the final mile home). Twitter and local news reporting delays of 5+ hours on some roads, and with temperatures dropping it's not at all certain roads will be passable in the morning.
It all started so much more quietly. I managed to get the car out (a mistake!) and at lunchtime visited Falmer pond (on foot). I got a few nice shots, which I'll share.
On my way back to work I spotted pair of campus rabbits foraging in the snow.
No foxes out in the field today, but there was some nice footage waiting for me on the trail cam when I (eventually) got home.
The final shot though is one taken when I was stuck on the road on the way home, 2 hours (and about 2 miles) into my journey. The blizzard had stopped, but snow was falling. This is on one of the few level stretches, just before a steep downward incline about a quarter of a mile ahead. That was where I balied out. Not worth the risk. 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens apart from the final shot which was snapped with the EF17-40mm f/4L USM lens. Video from the Bushnell Trophy Cam HD.
derWandersmann
23 Jan 2013You lads just don't know the sport of it all … I've had some of my most fun driving experiences in just such a storm, in rear-wheel drive cars with bald tires. Keeping control of a vehicle like that in those conditions is a real test of skill (and a bit of luck … I've managed to lose it a few times). In Wisconsin, it's hardly considered sporting if you're not drunk … it's almost Olympic-level.
The crow is magnificent!
anonymous
23 Jan 2013Helen writes:
Glad you got home okay, can't believe the chaos here last night. One of those foxes' hind legs looks to be hurt, I hope he's all right.
derWandersmann
23 Jan 2013I believe Helen's right, Words … I was unobservant. This looks like your gimpy fox, but it seems to be getting a little better.
Words
23 Jan 2013Helen, it was a bit rough last night! You're right about the fox. It's been limping for a few months now but does manage to get around without too much difficulty. Occasionally it puts weight on it, but not all the time. I suspect a poorly mended break (foxes are prone to them). It's one of our more shy foxes so I've only ever had very fleeting glimpses in the flesh. It seems to cope well despite everything.
Words
23 Jan 2013dW, does anything that happens in Wisconsin really count :p I can well believe it though. 😀 Our roads are not really suitable for such antics, though there was plenty of sliding and shunting going on.
Words
23 Jan 2013dW, yes that's our limping fox, a rather permanent feature I fear.
studio41
24 Jan 2013nice images, indeed!
"(usually a 10 minute hop) took three hours in the worst conditions I've encountered in over 35 years of driving" does sound like mayhem! and very sorry to hear of the unfortunate accidents. often a sad consequence of blizzard conditions.
the couple walking couldn't be on a simple stroll in that location…
Words
24 Jan 2013Jill, thanks. It was pretty bad, but everything is more or less back to normal now. The couple walking had probably come a couple of miles over the Downs to get to that point. Walking rpoved to be the quickest and safest means of travel, but it is pretty bleak up on the hills when the weather turns. Not a place for evening stroll.
gdare
25 Jan 2013And it doesn't even look like a lot of snow. But when you live in a country where a lot of snow is not usual in winter, people got relaxed, don't change tires, etc. When blizzard like that suddenly hits, this is a result.
The same here in Vancouver. One day when we got some serious snow, I guess I will stay at home… or walk to work/from work :left:
Wulpen
25 Jan 2013Great Pict
Words
25 Jan 2013Darko, you are right that we are never properly prepared for the weather, although we are getting snow more frequently in the past few years so we should get used to it. Almost no-one has winter tyres, and normally there isn't enough depth to use chains either. Here's a report from the local paper with some more photos (not mine) http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10182977.Icy_hell_causes_havoc_on_roads/
It would have been quicker to walk home across the fields. Next time I may do that. :psmurf:
Words
25 Jan 2013Erwin, thanks!
SittingFox
26 Jan 2013That does look bad. It wasn't anywhere near as deep here.
Have you looked at snowsocks? They're reasonably good for driving in snowy conditions.
Words
27 Jan 2013Adele, it was the speed of it as much as anything else. True it continued for 12 hours at a less rapid pace, but I left work thinking I'd be ok and within half a mile was at a standstill wondering whether I was going to have to walk the rest of the way. Snowsocks would have been very useful. I may invest in a set though by preference I'd sooner not drive in snow at all.
derWandersmann
27 Jan 2013Get a pair of plastic bearpaws and stow them in the boot. You can walk easily over snow then, though you'll be tired unless you do it often … they require a funny swing of the leg to avoid kicking yourself.
Words
27 Jan 2013dW, sounds like I'd get plenty of grip with something like that, and I can just imagine what mayhem the footprints will cause with the local 'Big Beast' hunters!
derWandersmann
28 Jan 2013Actually, "bearpaw" is the name of a roundish snowshoe, with no "tennis-racquet handle" trailing out behind to keep it aligned.
But it might be fun to make up a pair that left a real bear paw-print. Put a little excitement into the locals' otherwise colourless, humdrum lives.
Of course, you'd be forever answering the door to folk warning you that there was a bear in your house.
gdare
28 Jan 2013Originally posted by Words:
Be sure to have gumboots in your car trunk 😀
Words
31 Jan 2013Darko, I always have them in the car (mainly for the mud, but they would have been useful just the same).
Words
31 Jan 2013dW, with the terrain around here cross country skis would be best, but I like the idea of going bear foot in the snow.