Monday 2 February 2009

More about London weather

Well if any of you have been checking English weather news (I know, a very English thing to do) you would have seen that we have had some bad weather recently. But let's start from the beginning.

Shaun was here this weekend as well so although on Saturday we kind of did each our own thing (I trained and trained, he met with some friends), Sunday was a day for us. We started the day like this....


May I just add that mine are only coffee and biscotti. Those little donaughts are Shaun's favourite. After that little trip to Starbucks we've met our friend (whose husband is currently away on operations) and her two children at the Natural History Museum. Getting there was a bit of a challenge. It was really really cold and windy. The place was buzzing with people and considering kiddies' short attention span we didn't stay there too long.
This is Shaun and Belinda with the kids - note that Shaun is actually quite good with kids. I guess that is what happens when you are the oldest out of five.



We had a great day but once we got back home I still had a long run to do. And it was soooo cold out there. Anyway, I put more layers than ever before and out I went. I have to admit that I've probably seen only 2-3 runners out there. It was cold and my hands were freezing but I did it. It started snowing a bit towards the end of the run but I didn't think much of it.

Woke up in the morning at 5:30 am ready to go swimming. Looked outside and there was so much snow. For most of you that is nothing unusual but for London it is a big deal. I said goodbyes to Shaun as I was going to work straight from the pool and he was flying back to the US and off I went. My walk to the pool (10 mins or so) seemed epic. It was snowing, the wind was howling and there was no one in sight. Finally I saw a guy who looked at me and said "There is no public transport, buses and tube (i.e. underground) are not working. I've been waiting here for 40 mins". I looked at him and just said "That's OK, I am going for a swim". I will never forget the look on his face when I said that. He probably thought I was complete nutter.

Luckily the pool was open and I've managed to do my session. Whilst swimming I figured that Shaun probably wouldn't have a clue about the transport issues so I better go back home and sort him out before I go to work. And I was right. He was oblivious to what was going on outside whilst having his breakfast and coffee. To cut the story short we somehow managed to get him to the airport and I turned up at work hours later to find that there was only few of us there. No one else managed to come in. My boss was there so hey, I've managed to score some brownie points :-) He also let us go home at 3 pm so I went to the gym. This is how the gym looked like that evening




And this is the view from my office today


I didn't manage to go for a run last night as there was too much ice out there. Hopefully I will be able to tick it off tonight.
I need a warm place to go to right now - this winter is really getting to me. On a more positive note the days are getting longer which is great. Can't wait for the spring.

6 comments:

Marit C-L said...

I'm happy that the two of you got to spend time together - that's great! Yeah, whenever Nate and I go out for coffee, he always gets a scone or something sweet... and he's the eldest of 5 as well...hhhhmmmm :) Great pictures - love the view from your office! Excellent! Way to brave the snow - and as you said, spring is just around the corner!

D said...

Snow sucks. Ugh. Please bring me back warmth and light!

m said...

Snow is fun right when it is falling and it is all pretty. Then it stinks. I like the story about you telling the guy that you were going swimming and him probably thinking you were nuts!

Maggs said...

Yeah, I think I'd just throw on more covers and stay in bed. Good on you for getting out and swimming.

Charisa said...

I LOVE the view from your office - so pretty!! And so awesome you were still able to swim - I bet that guy thought you were crazy :) Hope you and Shaun get many more coffee weekends together coming up!

Kim said...

Wow. London weather doesn't sound much better than here! Hats off to you for braving the weather and getting your hiney out there and getting it done. I always like reading these posts because it reminds me that many of us are doing the same this time of year and that we are NOT crazy (well, maybe we are, but we are in that together too!). So, thanks for the encouragement!! Have a great weekend and stay warm!!