Forecasts were there, warnings were issued. Even the otherwise workaholic managers coming upto desks to ask if we have plans to work from home. But when did I last read a prediction or pay heed to a warning? It was a happy Friday (most Fridays are happy ones unless you have a production release over the weekend!).
7:30 AM sharp, left for office humming the latest Bollywood tune, it was difficult to ignore the early warnings. Yet it was the case of a happy mind over the gloomy weather. As I was thinking about my weekend plans, the first puff of snow kissed my jacket. Ah! I have experienced it before and have nothing to fear. 30 minutes and a bus-ride later, my shoes crushed the fresh ice-carpet as I made the quick walk towards my office building. It had already started to gain momentum. The reception was less noisy than usual and there were more empty seats in my floor. Pluging my laptop to life, I quickly ran through the headlines in bbc.co.uk. Yes, it was true! It was coming big and fast. UK was rapidly painting itself in white. Airports were shutting down, even those contemplating a shut down were running with bare minimum capacity. Busses & trains were off schedule and vechiles were stuck midway their destination. Schools were either closed or were in the process of being declared holiday, not the usual 'rainy day' we get back home but a snowy day. Red warnings were being flashed across Wales & some parts of Scotland by the weather department.
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| Icy cushions :-) |
Ruing my missed chance to take a day off, went over to the pantry for some hot refreshment. Even the common office chit chat had been replaced by talks about transport challenges one might face on the way back. Its just frozen water, a little more but manageable. With a wry smile I went back to work. By mid day the already half capacity had become even thinner, just a few odd heads popping here and there across the 200 seater floor. My line manager, based out of Leeds, had left with a 'wish-me-luck' quick goodbye by lunchtime. In between, I have been sneaking in the news headlines to check how bad it really was. Heathrow already had hundreds of delayed passengers like most UK airports, Birmingham airport was closed till weather improved any further. Icy roads had made driving hazardous and visibility had reduced considerably. National Rail were reporting delays in schedule accross UK. My work-from-home colleagues had already started uploading their snowman photos in Facebook. All I could see of outside from my seat was thick white snow. Temperatures had already dropped to sub-zero. Even the normally busy bars in the town centre were wearing a sullen look.
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| Snap at lunch time |
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| Finally, it comes...trudging along |
By 4:45 PM, decided it was time for me to call it a day. Needless to say that I was easily in the last percentile of people still working or atleast making an effort to, all the while trying to be oblivious of whats going outside the warm cozy environment. Waving my 'brave' colleagues happy weekend, I made my way home. The moment I stepped outside, knew I was in for an adventure. 3.5 miles is not a long way but the reduced visibility due to incessant snowing had made movement difficult. Transport was virtually stalled. Reaching the bus station, I was greeted by some angry waiting commuters, already cursing for the last half hour. Making most of the situation, I quickly took a few snaps to add to my collection. Another 15 mins of waiting and braving the chill, the sight of bus made us happy. Some seemed as excited as a child on getting a new toy. Our joy was shortlived as we were told that due to bad road conditions, the bus would go only as far as Acocks Green town centre, and I would have to walk the remainder of the journey. Some relief still.
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| While returning home |
Having already braved a few snowy winters, knew I had to find my footing on fresh snow rather than the dirty slippery one. On my walk back, the local church that usually wears a serious look, wore a happy look in the new found icy white snow jacket. It was already dark and the street lights were on. A few children armed with a carrot, an old scarf were out trying to make a snowman in playground. A few others were busy in their snow fight. The drizzle had reduced but the after effect was still on. Some faces were popping out from their windows trying to check how badly affected was their car parked outside.
The weekend was coming and with it, more snow. I didn't have to travel to office but that does not necessarily meant that I wanted to be stuck indoors. A recent viewing of the 'Life of Pi' had steeled my resolution and I was determined give 'Man vs Nature' a go!
