Weather Woes for All

What a week, January 15th to January 21st  has been for weather in Spain. Even for those who were not caught up in the overwhelming cold, ice and snow it has been a very uncomfortable week Places we would not usually associate with snow, had snow. On Benidorm beach they had sun, salt, sea, surf, sangria, and snow. What a shock that was.

My own story was that I had a meeting to attend in Denia on Wednesday, but I just wasn't sure it would be possible. The forecast on Tuesday was that the temperature in Valencia city would be 11, and 10 in Denia on Wednesday. However Denia might experience a light dusting of snow. I decided to chance it.

I left home in Valencia in brilliant sunshine and dry conditions and thought I was doing the right thing. By the time I reached Cullera the sky ahead had turned a dark grey, so I removed my sunglasses. I decided to stop and call a friend in Denia to ask what the situation was. OMG, said he, turn around and go back this instant. We are socked in by snow, traffic is slipping, sliding and slamming into one another. It's a mess! You would be well advised to go home right  now.

So, I did. I went around the roundabout and put my sunglasses on again and drove home and into my garage where my car remains to this moment.

The traffic story is one horrendous tale after another. People were trapped in their cars, without heat for many hours, including overnight. How no-one has died due to hypothermia is anybody's guess. If you had not properly prepared for the journey with food and blankets your experience would have been awfully difficult. This includes trains that were stuck by snow banks, including the much lauded AVE trains. At least I had the presence of mind to call ahead to avoid driving blindly into disaster. I am so thankful that I did.

In the Summertime I usually carry water and biscuits in case I get stuck; and for winter driving I did carry a sleeping blanket and a car blanket. I did these things for the past eighteen years but I never had to use them. Eventually they made room for more practical things in the luggage compartment.

No prizes for guessing what will go back into the car when I go out again.

Be prepared and be careful are really good pieces of advice that we should take serious.

Good luck because it is not over yet.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Dangerous Roads Ahead !

The date today is January 15th, 2017. Spain is in the grip of rolling super cold weather that is gradually blanketing the entire country with snow and ice which is making driving extremely hazardous. This is a time when we must all act in unison to get through the weeks ahead. As the weather brings these challenges it means being super cautious. These are the types of conditions that are unforgiving, so anyone who does not take proper notice will end up in the ditch. We will be lucky if that is the worst thing to happen to us.

It has been a long time since the weather was this bad, but in the light of the changes taking place affecting the weather cycle  it's a no-brainer that the climate is becoming more extreme. We keep hearing from people who have vested interests in denying that conditions are changing, but that doesn´t mean that change is not taking place. Change always happens. Nothing stands absolutely still in the world. If we don´t adapt ourselves to change we simply get left behind. To put that in a more concise perspective, if we are not moving ahead with change, we are actually moving backwards.

So, yes, climate change is happening right before our eyes and one of the effects is the possibility that driving is getting more difficult because of trying conditions. We cannot wish it away, and we cannot just close our eyes to it and continue on as normal. Mountain driving will be particularly difficult with its steep slopes and tight curves. I can´t just say be careful and expect that to adequately cover the situation. The only thing that would do that is to stay home unless you absolutely must use the roads.

This is a time for common sense and caution. The challenge is to survive this period and find ourselves on the other side in one piece, both alive and uninjured, nor suffering any damage.

Good luck to us all!

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael  

Starting the year in motoring heaven!

Today I celebrate my 77th year, plus three months and eight days. It's important that I tell you that because you see, a good friend asked me to do a critical favor at the last minute and I said yes, so as a reward, where no reward was necessary, they insisted that I have the unfettered use of their $75,000 Jaguar F-Type sports convertible for the weekend. They also seemed to have thrown in absolutely perfect weather for maximum enjoyment from the car.

Most people my age would not dare sit in such a car because of the danger they could never get out. At least that could be their excuse. I was sure that I would have to pay for my experience with pain in my back, but no, once seated, and provided I kept each journey reasonably short my back is just fine.

I'm addicted! If I had the ready money I would buy a car exactly the same in a heartbeat. I have completely fallen in love with it. Keep in mind that I drive a Jaguar myself, but this model is just playing with my heart.

The exact model car is a V6, 3000cc, 8-speed automatic convertible, in white with black soft top. The sound it makes, especially on acceleration is that of a Formula 1 car which is the most tempting thing. You always want to go fast but no, when driving on regular roads, as opposed to closed tracks one must observe the speed limits and other motorists. Normally, at my age I have long ago rid myself of the need for speed, or so I thought. Normally I content myself with driving along at 100 kph which is an optimum speed both for my car and its driver.

This rocket on wheels keeps egging me on. Go on, go for it! So, to reach a compromise I really like the feel when joining a major road, and if the way is clear of going from a slower speed to 120 kph in as short a time as possible. The kick in the back is just fabulous, plus the roar of that amazing engine and the G-force, and I'm awake!! The fact that it is a 3.0 litre, V6 340 Supercharged beast is just so over the top for me that there is no way I can ignore this car.

My Jag is a long wheel base XJ6 Sovereign that conveyed Her Majesty The Queen in the day when she was not using The Rolls. When I brought this one home the neighbours simply assumed that I had bought it, and now I am known as "Two Jags Gene" in my town. Oh Dear! One day I must get around to setting everyone straight.

This is an act of generosity in the Jeremy Clarkson mould, so I get to know how he feels when all those people say to him, "drive my car, please?" I, unlike Mr Clarkson, cannot think of anything I would want to criticise about the F-type . That may be because I am so in love with this glorious collection of materials, but give me some time when the newness rubs off and I'm bound to think of at least one tiny thing. Until then I am very happy to have had this wonderful experience.

If I had the funds I would definitely buy it and take it home and caress it, and care for it by washing it everyday and covering it in something nice and fluffy so that it can stay warm.

I wonder how my wife might react if I did the same thing for her?

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael