You’d think, wouldn’t you that in extreme winter conditions such as these, with snow all about the place that people would be pulling together to help each other. You’d think there’d be enough human kindness, a sense that we are ‘in this together’ to bring us back in touch with what’s most important – being there for each other.
The British are usually so good at this. In times of trouble and strife every man and his wife (or ex wife) is ready to lend you their shovel or if need be, help shovel you out of your snowy predicament. You’d think.
And I know this was not a very good idea, but first thing this morning, when my road looked okish, and the snow was ‘light’ and the thought of going to the gym was very compelling, I decided to take a risk and drive the 15 minutes to get there, because after all, what’s the worst that could happen?
And, yes, the worst that could happen, happened. Trying to get home after the gym, was possibly the scariest experience I have ever had. When the roads are clear, you don’t always realize how many hills there are around. Where I live there are loads of hills. I live on a hill. My driveway is on a hill. There are even hills with names, like Clamp Hill, Stanmore Hill, and a hill in Bushey with no name at all. And it was on the ‘hill with no name’ in Bushey that I realized how little love there was around – even if it is a week before Christmas.
Trying to drive a small car up a hill when the road is frozen and you simply cannot get the wheels to go round however hard you press on the accelerator and all that’s happening is you are swerving around, is like being in some kind of surreal nightmare. The snow was falling thick and fast, visibility was zero and the passers by, many of them big strong guys, were just ignoring my plight. There were not many of us on the road (no, I realize that not many of us were crazy enough to be out, and I did get terribly told off by my son) but there I am, a woman in a car on my own, and I had to wind down my window and shout to said ‘big strong guys’ - ‘excuse me, is it ok to push an automatic?’. Hint Hint! Finally, just before I slid into a car parked on the verge, a very large man, god bless him, shouted from behind me, ‘keep your foot down and keep the traction (a new word for me) and keep going when I’ve pushed you’. Finally, some love! So he pushed and I got traction and inch by inch I managed to get up the ‘hill with no name’ on to more level ground. Besides this one guy, not one person was helping anyone.
On the rest of the journey I saw several abandoned cars and people just standing by them not knowing what to do. I realized I had to keep ‘traction’ and I dared not stop but as I was going so so slowly I called out to one lady and asked her if she wanted a lift up the road. She could have run faster than I was moving. She said she was waiting for her son who had a four by four, but at least I felt like I had done my bit.
After an hour and half, driving at around 2-3 miles an hour, I finally slid into my road and braked just in time to park outside my house without crashing into my neighbours car.
So here’s my request. On behalf of all the crazy people who venture out by foot or car or plough, please help anyone who looks like they need it. Just knowing that you have helped your fellow man will fill you up with more warmth than your central heating can provide. I promise. I have never been more grateful to receive a push from behind than I was today and ‘big strong guy’ if you happen to be reading this, (stranger things have happened) I’m the woman in the mini (car, not skirt) who would probably be stuck on the hill with no name if you hadn’t have found some love in your heart.
Keep warm and safe
Love Francine
