Snow in EA!

[iluvmercs]

So last night we had our first snow of 2008 in Dereham and Norwich!

It was amazing to see how differently people react on the roads. I went to Norwich yesterday evening. Now the journey usually takes 30-35 mins to the city centre. Last night it took nearly and hour - totally understandable. I understood why everyone on the A47 duel carriageway was travelling at 30-35mph, but what I didn't understand is they were all in the slow lane, in one long line, leaving no more than the recommended 2 second gap for dry weather driving! I, instead, opted for the outside lane, going no faster than the traffic but I could see alot further!
The snow was pretty heavy and, at times, my view was like when the Millenium Flacon goes into hyper drive! It was such a fun drive, nonetheless, with just slightly too much accleration making the rear wheels spin even if I was in top gear - one had to be "on the ball"
This was the front of my car after the journey....(apologies for poor lighting)


Having said all that, snow is such a beautiful thing! Norwich looked gorgeous. I fettled with the photos - sorry they're a little grainy, and I didn't have the chance to crop the pics after I rotated them to get a straight picture (The last one is my personal favourite)








Does anyone else have some pics to show?

Darren

Edited by iluvmercs on Saturday 2nd February 15:59

[Cerberowner]

No snow in Ipswich.

I remember a few years ago I went to a concert in Norwich. Came out and the roads were inches deep in the stuff. The journey down the A140 was, er, interesting. Got to Suffolk - no snow!

[Racingdude009]

Noticed the snow but forget to take any pictures.

Its all gone now so will have to wait until Nov/Dec time.

[Simpo Two]

Is that scrambled egg or saffron rice?

I've heard of white balance, but your white has overdosed on LSD, fallen out of an office window and plummeted 300 feet to its death!

[iluvmercs]

After this post about Snow, my next post was very close to being "Merc crashed". Exiting a bend at 30mph, on a country road tonight, I hit black ice and car started sliding. Turning into the skid, and feathering the throttle (so the back end didn't snap back the other way), the driver's side of the car mounted a bank, sliding along it for 25-30 feet before coming to rest back on the road. Upon inspection, the only damage appears to be a broken bumper bracket and a dislodged bumper driving light, not to mention half a football pitch of grass now caught underneath. Driving the car is fine. Not even my tracking has been upset! I reversed and examined the accident site, and noted my tyre marks on the bank were no more than 12" from a ditch!
To say luck played a big role would be a fair comment, despite me knowing what to do in a sliding situation!

But my passengers (brother and girlfriend) and I are all safe and well, which is the main thing and the Merc appears to have VERY minimal damage! Lesson learnt: despite the 60 limit on the road, go even slower than 30!

Darren

[Simpo Two]

iluvmercs said:

despite the 60 limit on the road, go even slower than 30!

Yes indeed. In fact when I was reading your main post yesterday, I thought 'that car's not going to be any good on snow, take it easy'. I like prestige cars as well (Jaguar Sovereign, Mercedes, BMW 730) and the moment snow arrives, a big heavy car with wide tyres and RWD is out of its comfort zone. Martin Brundle's phrase puts it perfectly: 'straight to the scene of the accident'. Touch the brakes too hard, even with ABS, and you'll go sliding straight on in a helpless two ton sledge.

[Cerberowner]

Simpo Two said:

the moment snow arrives, a big heavy car with wide tyres and RWD is out of its comfort zone.

Yup, my drive's on the slightest of slopes. Last time we had snow here I could not get my old car (E36 M3) up it - rear wheels just sat on top of the snow and spun.

[evolutionvalet]

Yup, its fun getting your arse out but trying to control it in the snow is a different problem....

So...back to the bodyshop then Darren? Glad everyone was okay. Thats the important thing.

Kev

[iluvmercs]

Thanks guys,

Kev:
Fortunately, the car isn't going in until the end of March, when all the ice and snow should have disappered! Also, the only paintwork damage appears to be a scuff underneath the front bumper, and totally out of sight. But the front bumper is part of the work to be done next month.

Darren

[tonyvid]

Simpo Two said:

iluvmercs said:

despite the 60 limit on the road, go even slower than 30!

Yes indeed. In fact when I was reading your main post yesterday, I thought 'that car's not going to be any good on snow, take it easy'. I like prestige cars as well (Jaguar Sovereign, Mercedes, BMW 730) and the moment snow arrives, a big heavy car with wide tyres and RWD is out of its comfort zone. Martin Brundle's phrase puts it perfectly: 'straight to the scene of the accident'. Touch the brakes too hard, even with ABS, and you'll go sliding straight on in a helpless two ton sledge.

My 9-5, even though it comes from a snowy country, is completely hopeless in the snow. Bloomin' great wide performance tyres just look at the snow and say "don't bother."