Weather bomb hits Scotland

[Laird_M]

The weather bomb has hit Scotland and Northern Ireland - 45ft swells report by Barra lifeboat coxwain Donald MacLeod, 80mph winds, 17000 homes on the Western Ilses without power - glad I'm not up there and thoughts to all affected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30407295

[cessna152towser]

We noticed.
My wife and I both drive school buses and while the rest of 2014 has flown in, this has been a long week.
Monday morning we woke up to find the rain had turned to snow overnight and then frozen solid. Much de-icing of vehicles and slipping and sliding on icy roads. It was frustrating that after the drivers made the effort to turn out with the transport, most of the parents chose to keep their kids at home.
Tuesday morning the last of the ice melted and then we had high winds and flooded roads to contend with on the afternoon runs.
This morning we awoke to find that the rain had again turned to snow overnight and then frozen and it was much effort to get the buses de-iced and on the road. Wife's away over the hills on a run to Selkirk right now and it is snowing heavily outside. After lunch I need to get over to Selkirk on the service bus to pick up my school bus and then drive the kids to their rural homes. Roll on Friday afternoon when we can hibernate for the weekend!

[tulloch]

To all our friends in Britain affected by this: take care and be safe!

[cessna152towser]

We're safe home for tonight and so are all the schoolkids on our routes.
Later than usual but far better to be late in this world than early in the next.