Snow in the UK

Earlier this month, we finally had some snow in Solihull. The roads became icy and we could no longer drive, the buses stopped running and everyone stayed at home rather than going to work. The school all shut and the children had a day playing in the snow.

It never ceases to amaze me how a little bit of snow paralyses the UK. Could you imagine if this happened in the Alps – no skiing because it is snowing!

However, a few years ago I was working in Norway during the winter. I recall explaining to a Norwegian how badly snow affects the UK and when it snows the roads are thrown into chaos.

His reply was surprising as he said that it happens there too. I asked him how this could be so when Norway must be used to that type of weather. He explained that although they are quite used to driving in snow they will only prepare their cars for snow after it has actually arrived and so on the first day of winter snow they are as unprepared as people in the UK.

Perhaps some problems can be universal!


Dave

Lots of trips!!!

Spring time is time to travel and exchange ideas. I've heard on the grapevine that a group from Cholet will be travelling to Solihull in April and a few students from Solihull College will be coming over to Cholet at the end of May. It's all still rather small scale but I like it that way; it's more intimate.

I know that lots of young French people would love to travel to England, however it's not easy to find exchange partners as hardly anyone wants to come to France.

It would be nice to see a junior section of the twinning association set up. Am I dreaming?

I know that if a youth club wanted to organize a sporty holiday(11-15 year olds) with some French lessons I could sort something out through our council.

Dave please ask around and see what sort of feedback you can get.

Enjoy the start of Spring everyone.

Juliet