Welcome

Well I have thought about it sometime and decided that it was time that I started a blog, so here we are...

Its been a long week, it started off badly. I work as an IT contractor, currently based in Sheffield. Its only about 80 miles from home, but as their is no direct route it can take 2-3 hours to get there so I rent a small house near the M1. Due to the bad weather forecast for the Monday I decided to head over on the Sunday night as I normally head over on the Monday morning, but I didn't fancy getting up at 05:30 and fighting through the snow to get over Snake Pass.

So I set off at 22:30, aiming to get to the rented house for sometime after midnight. That time of the night it shouldn't have taken more than a maximum of 2 hours.... famous last words...

I drive a BMW E39, its a 5 Series with the built in GPS, I've upgraded the computer to the newer Mark IV as it was origionally had a Mark III. The reason for the upgrade was to enable the TMC function, for those of you that don't know the TMC is the automated traffic channel and provides electronic traffic "issues".

As I was nearing the end of the M56, just before pulling onto the M60 the female computer voice chirps in "Road Ahead Closed" on investigation it the computer screen is showing that the M67 is closed between J3 and 4, with the computer you have the option to get it to automatically give you a diversion route.

My first mistake... I used to work on the outskirts of Stockport so thought to myself, no probs, nip through Bredbury on the A560 and pick up the A57 and join the end of the M67 then head over Woodhead (A628). Just for kicks I ask it to divery me and it then starts talking about the M62... so I ignore it and follow my planned route.

As I near Stockport on the M60 there is evidence of snow, the further round the M60 I go the whiter things appear. I pull off onto the A560 and head off... yep... looks like they have had some real snow... as I approach the A57 the otherside of Bredbury it looks like the have had a good 2-3"s... I make my way cautiously to the the junction where the A57 crosses the end of the M67, wow... its almost like a Christmas card, loads of snow. The road is nice and clear so off I head following the A628 towards Woodhead, the main display sign showing that both passes are open so off I head.

The other side of Tintwistle is completley covered in snow, but again the road is clear so off I go... five miles before the end of the pass there is a gritter parked across the road blocking it.. Bugger... should have listened to the car, I got out and asked the guy when the pass was likely to open he reckoned at least 40 minutes, but it might not reopen.. Bugger so I turn round and this time follow the cars instructions .... I finally get to the house at 01:40... one long journey and no snow in Sheffield.

I took the picture just outside Tintwistle.