London: How COLD Is It?
Jan 8th, 2009, 01:49 PM
#41
hi, my old pal, my old beauty,
<<London is rubbish in the cold. It only really works in the rain. We're designed for rain.>>
ditto Cornwall. it was -7C here yesterday, within 1 mile of the sea. [not me, a friend - we were warmer inland!] we are not equipped or prepared. my poor little plants, even the ones in the polytunnel, are freezing their little roots off.
today is warmer, however, and tomorrow's forecast is better still. as DD has to drive "up country" on saturday, I'm qutie relieved. as are my plants.
there is a great picture on the front of our local rag, the wonderfuly named "West Briton" showing icicles hanging off the cliffs at Portreath. so "colder than an icicle at portreath" is probably the answer to your question.
regards, ann
PS - annhig's special new year prize for the first fodorite to spot the reference in my greeting!
<<London is rubbish in the cold. It only really works in the rain. We're designed for rain.>>
ditto Cornwall. it was -7C here yesterday, within 1 mile of the sea. [not me, a friend - we were warmer inland!] we are not equipped or prepared. my poor little plants, even the ones in the polytunnel, are freezing their little roots off.
today is warmer, however, and tomorrow's forecast is better still. as DD has to drive "up country" on saturday, I'm qutie relieved. as are my plants.
there is a great picture on the front of our local rag, the wonderfuly named "West Briton" showing icicles hanging off the cliffs at Portreath. so "colder than an icicle at portreath" is probably the answer to your question.
regards, ann
PS - annhig's special new year prize for the first fodorite to spot the reference in my greeting!
Jan 8th, 2009, 01:58 PM
#44
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have not yet reached above -25C for over a month. Most nights are around -40C and that is without the dreaded windchill. I am SO envious of UK winter weather!! We travel to the UK in winter for a warm vacation! 
But I do realize that it is cold for you and that you are not used to it or properly equipped so I won't be too hard on you!
But I do realize that it is cold for you and that you are not used to it or properly equipped so I won't be too hard on you!
Jan 9th, 2009, 01:44 AM
#47
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What the hell are chilblains? Are they one of those diseases that don't exist anymore like dropsy, kings evil and apoplexy?
In any case it's not cold anymore. It's sunny and warm(ish).
Meanwhile our colonial friends are freezing their nuts off and being eaten my mountain lions and growly bears. Let us spare a thought for them (or at least have a giggle at their expense).
In any case it's not cold anymore. It's sunny and warm(ish).
Meanwhile our colonial friends are freezing their nuts off and being eaten my mountain lions and growly bears. Let us spare a thought for them (or at least have a giggle at their expense).
Jan 9th, 2009, 06:14 AM
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<Chilblains, also called perniosis or blain, when occurring on the feet, is a medical condition that is often confused with frostbite and trench foot. Chilblains are acral ulcers (that is, ulcers affecting the extremities) that occur when a predisposed individual is exposed to cold and humidity. The cold exposure damages capillary beds in the skin, which in turn can cause redness, itching, blisters, and inflammation.> From Wikipedia
up to 10 inches of snow tonight and then temps plunge towards zero F. Ah soon be in balmy Eltham to thaw out!
up to 10 inches of snow tonight and then temps plunge towards zero F. Ah soon be in balmy Eltham to thaw out!
Jan 9th, 2009, 08:48 AM
#51
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes. Then you were sent up the chimney to clean it and had to sell matches in the street. Matches or yourself.
What is it with old people? They're always telling us how bloody awful things were as if it's somehow a bad thing that they aren't like that anymore (although I did get frost on the inside of the windows when I was at school - character building the called it. The bastards).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
I never got (or heard of)chilblains. They did tell us that if we sat on the radiators we'd get piles. So far this too is bollocks.
What is it with old people? They're always telling us how bloody awful things were as if it's somehow a bad thing that they aren't like that anymore (although I did get frost on the inside of the windows when I was at school - character building the called it. The bastards).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
I never got (or heard of)chilblains. They did tell us that if we sat on the radiators we'd get piles. So far this too is bollocks.
Jan 9th, 2009, 08:51 AM
#52
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What I don't understand is CW went to a public school and doesn't know what chilblains are.
Did all the medieval establishments go girlie at the same time and install central heating? Is that why all the current batch of Etonian politicos are such wimps?
I bet Gordon Brown had chilblains as a lad. His Scottish vicar dad wouldn't tolerate fripperies like double-glazing or heated bedrooms. If Osborne and Cameron had had to scrape the ice off before using the lavs, they'd be standing up to Chilblain Man a lot better.
Did all the medieval establishments go girlie at the same time and install central heating? Is that why all the current batch of Etonian politicos are such wimps?
I bet Gordon Brown had chilblains as a lad. His Scottish vicar dad wouldn't tolerate fripperies like double-glazing or heated bedrooms. If Osborne and Cameron had had to scrape the ice off before using the lavs, they'd be standing up to Chilblain Man a lot better.
Jan 9th, 2009, 09:00 AM
#53
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I honestly have no idea what a chilblain is. You might as well ask me about scrofula, buboes or St Vitus' Dance.
It was bloody cold at school. It did have heating - usually one radiator at one end of a socking great stone room. But we didn't get chilblains. Not even after 5 mile runs in the snow.
To this day people complain that my house is cold.
As an aside; Huw Gaitskill was once asked what his greatest regret was. He said it was never winning the 5 mile cup at school. I never warmed to the labour party after that. It's not natural.
It was bloody cold at school. It did have heating - usually one radiator at one end of a socking great stone room. But we didn't get chilblains. Not even after 5 mile runs in the snow.
To this day people complain that my house is cold.
As an aside; Huw Gaitskill was once asked what his greatest regret was. He said it was never winning the 5 mile cup at school. I never warmed to the labour party after that. It's not natural.
Jan 9th, 2009, 09:15 AM
#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I did have more than one clog ;-)
I can remember having chilblains once or twice. I think that you got them by coming in from the cold and putting your feet too closde to the fire.
BTW, I have a friend who is a GP.
When she was a student, she was part of the ward round procession of a consultant very like Sir Launcelot Spratt.
He paused by a woman patient and asked, Who can tell me what is the cause of those discoloured patches on her legs?"
There was absolute silence until my friend said timidly, "I think that she has been sitting too close to the fire". "Correct!", roared the great man.
I can remember having chilblains once or twice. I think that you got them by coming in from the cold and putting your feet too closde to the fire.
BTW, I have a friend who is a GP.
When she was a student, she was part of the ward round procession of a consultant very like Sir Launcelot Spratt.
He paused by a woman patient and asked, Who can tell me what is the cause of those discoloured patches on her legs?"
There was absolute silence until my friend said timidly, "I think that she has been sitting too close to the fire". "Correct!", roared the great man.
