The Storm

5 dead in Sweden.

The track that arrows from the little lake, through Grenen, to the 195 takes 2 miles (UK) of the journey to Roland's. Over breakfast the forecast said heavy snow this afternoon. It's my call, but I decided I had time to get to the dogs and put plenty of dry food and water out for them.

Job done. Satnav Jane picks out a route through to Tidaholm for groceries, fuel, and a parcel at the post counter. I'm watching the weather like a hawk as I make good progress along unfamiliar forest roads. My estimation is that I have 3 - 6 hours before the snow arrives.

Back to base: Pack an over night bag. I have dogs to look after, and a Christmas dinner on Saturday night in Bankeryd. I'm bailing out of Vitared for three nights. I can be stranded on this windy hill, or in the town. 3pm and the snow arrives, and hells bells is it heavy. I sling the bag in the car boot and head out. It's not settling yet, and I have daylight, just about. I took the forest track through Grenen again. It will close behind me I think.

The behaviour of the two dogs is interesting. The older one isn't happy with the snow and the feel of the air. The little one just wants to play. She is only a child. The older one, Salsa, was visibly shaking as I left them. I watched the news and it was apparent that one hell of a storm was just starting to hit North Western Europe. Roland has satellite TV. The BBC World Service covered the chaos in Rhyl, and up along the British west coast. I headed out for Bankeryd to my own billet for the storm, and promised Salsa I would see her in the morning. Ever seen a dog cry?

The wind battered us for the whole evening and night, much the same as the rest of Northern Europe. We battened down the hatches. Morning light showed what the blizzard had done to us. Snow drifts to dig to release cars. Impressive is that the council already have the work parties out battling to keep the community moving, through the continuing blizzard. I have to get back to Fagerhult and the dogs. In hind sight I chould have stayed with them and kipped at Roland's. I now know the limitations of REGULAR winter tyres. I cannot use studs due to my need to return Darwin to the UK during January. Studs are only legal in Norway, Sweden and Finland as far as I know. Bo drove. She has the day off and her Beemer has studs. She also has the experience I lack.

The 195 is sheet ice but the only effect on local traffic is a decrease in speed of maybe 10kph. They really know how to do this. Even so we drive in silence. Getting in to Roland's place wasn't possible so we parked up in the village and Bo' decamped to the 7/11 for coffee and Cinnamon buns. I take a half hour round trip hike into the teeth of the gale. Wading through snow drifts I could hear the dogs as I approached. They knew I was coming. Never has a man been greeted better. Job done. I had the phone number for a mutual friend who lives in the village. I cannot get back tonight, and I cannot stay. My ride will be leaving very soon. I called Kenth and no surprise he is happy to get down to the dogs later. I'm done. Bankeryd beckons, and a long winter lock in. 

Hamburg has sea levels 6 metres above normal. This is my story of the worst storm in 60 years. Hardly exiting, and for that I am not sorry. How many lost their lives? I'll hear maybe. Mother nature is a savage god sometimes. You don't need to make one up.

Saturday: Calm. I sneaked back into Vitared for five hours of daylight. I got to within 100 metres but my yard is inundated. I couldn't get Darwin onto the property. I spent my time digging out my parking and paths, ready for the next lot due tomorrow. 40cm this time + drifting. Temperature range is now -8C nighttime to -2C Afternoon. Not full winter, but we are getting there. Hot soup, emails, blog, pack more clothes. I think I'm coming back tomorrow PM, but you honestly cannot be sure. I'm no hero. I am inexperienced in these conditions, and happy to admit it. I'll play it safe. Any way, I have a Christmas dinner to go to 15 miles away. Back onto the ice roads then.