Monday, December 20, 2010

Snowbound

Heathrow airport, December 2010

'The Great Frost'

or The art of walking the streets of London

O roving muse, recall that wonderous year,
When winter reigned in bleak Britannia's air;
When hoary Thames, with frosted osiers crowned,
Was three long moons in icy fetters bound.
The waterman, forlorn along the shore,
Pensive reclines upon his useless oar,
Sees harnessed steeds desert the stony town,
And wander roads unstable, not their own;
Wheels o'er the hardened waters smoothly glide,
And rase with whitened tracks the slippery tide.
Here the fat cook piles high the blazing fire,
And scarce the spit can turn the steer entire.
Booths sudden hide the Thames, long streets appear,
And numerous games proclaim the crowded fair.

- John Gay (1685 - 1732)

It's an uncertain Christmas at our house. Our Son, who has been studying in London since September, was expecting to fly home for a holiday visit today. Heathrow airport has been closed since Friday. When we last spoke with him, he was at the airport, preparing to take the train back to his apartment and await news of a rescheduled flight.

Since more snow is expected in the next few days, I'm wondering if he'll get out at all.

In better news, my Sister-in-Law Kurly, who has been teaching school in Kiev, successfully made it home to Tampa, after spending two snowbound nights in the Brussels airport.

Here in Southern California, we're hearing of roads closed by rock slides and traffic backups on the freeways. More rain is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wherever you are, whoever you're with, stay safe, warm, and have a great holiday.

7 comments:

  1. Hoping your son gets home for the holidays. That snowstorm in Europe is something else!!

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  2. We're flying out to Heathrow tomorrow. If we get airborne and your son does, we'll send him a mental high-five midair.

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  3. Oh, I hope he can get a flight home to be with you!
    Winter can be oh so lovely but also a big pain if you have somewhere to go... or nowhere to call home.

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  4. I am so sorry you won't be with your son this Christmas. I hope you have a special day. Merry Christmas to you sweet friend.

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  5. I hope your son makes it home for Christmas.

    I'll take three inches of snow over three inches of rain any day--except maybe in July.

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  6. I heard about your heavy rain and more expected today and tomorrow, and that mud slides were already occuring...with luck your son will get a flight...if it's safe!

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