Essential Journey?

[weekendwellies]

With all this snow people have, and advice generally being essential journeys only when the weather is like this, I was wondering what people consider to be an essential journey.

Last winter in the snow we had in January, I considered going to work to be an essential journey, wheras others said 'stuff that, I aint goin in today!!'. Looking back I think they were right, as I fell over several times, deciding to walk rather than risk using the car. I also went to my sister's house before Christmas to a family get together with the girls, in the car, and was absolutely petrified the whole way there and back.


So what is your essential and what is not. I am guessing there will be as many different opinions as there are comments

[Capsid]

Where I work we have guidance notes. travelling to work is considered essential due to the nature of the business (public health), however this has to be considered against health and safety and employees should not put themselves at risk when attempting to travel to work. So it's up to the individual in agreement with line managers. Flexibility is built in to make time up or work from home where applicable.

Considering that driving a car is one of the most dangerous things that most people do in these times perhaps it's too risky to go to work at all (by car).

[taff]

I'd say getting to a hospital or doctors surgery is essential, as is shopping if you run out of food/electric/gas [for those on meters]

Otherwise, don't bother

[Two_Sheds]

Well, Mr TS has gone to work (60 mile round trip). I made him take a blanket and bottle of water this morning, which he did grudgingly.
The weather is OK this morning, but the road to our town (there's only one, single lane) becomes impassable in a blizzard or with the daily accidents that it has

I felt sorry for the poor souls sleeping on the M25 last night. The snow came down so fast they couldn't avoid it

[Hilary B]

Essential journey? not many, mostly we COULD walk for the times out of the house that are essential (dog walking, shopping), and if we get icy roads, we have no choice, the exit from our road can become undriveable quite easily. Fortunately it rarely lasts more than a day or 2.

[piskieinboots]

I know I am lucky to work from home at times such as this and living on camp means Snowdrop isn't in danger either.

What would I consider essential? In search of food I guess

[jackie j]

We have been told that if we live within walking distance for work we HAVE to walk in and WILL be expected to go in even when we are not contracted to work those days, sod off is what I say, I will only go if I have said I will do overtime or my normal hours.
If you are able to work from home, do so. Phone hospitals and doctors and ask if its essential for you to go in, dont just not turn up.
Find out if the teachers are in before sending kids to school.
No journey is worth the risk of being in an accident.

Stay safe/

[zazen999]

Well, having spent 3 hours getting out of Luton town centre a few years back [half a mile in 3 hours], plus another 3 ours getting home [only to huntingdon, not exactly a ridiculous journey] and having to leave the car in Northampto, walk home and get a taxi to pick the car up the next morning...I sort of decide whether it really is worth it when I look out the window/listen to the radio etc - depending on the destination.

So, this morning we went out to get more grout, a new coffee maker and toaster and a few visits to look at more tiles - in Nottingham and it was fine........but on another day we might have been stuck on the M1 wishing we had stayed in......life's all a gamble isn't it!

[Two_Sheds]

It's becoming essential that I walk to the paper shop for a Twirl and a Crunchie ...

[zazen999]

And it was essential to get my latest ebay sale in the post today....

[ginger ninger]

I work for the D.W.P and I've been unable to get into work today, my officers are over 10 miles away. When I rang in they told me to stay put, keep warm and get in when I could. Not all employers are so understanding.
OH's walked to work today...he's a wagon driver, but his depot aren't sending the lads out. The diesel is freezing in the tanks ...he's rang and told me when he got there.
It's been on the news that the police have told people not to drive at all in South Yorkshire, most of the roads are blocked and there's no let up in the snow yet.
On the other hand. My OH's Mum pestered his Dad to get the car out because she'd ran out of fags...they got stuck. I think she thought they were essential...Enough said. She rang me to see if I could get her some...you can guess what I told her .

[binley100]

Can I just say that if you have to drive somewhere make sure you have extra warm coats, blankets, flask etc and even a shovel in the boot........My OH has to drive with his job , last year twice he managed to dig out his 3 1/2ton van rather than wait in the cold to be rescued. Yesterday a puncture on the M6 and a 45 min wait outside in the cold waiting for the tyre people to come out made him glad of his big thick jacket.

[piskieinboots]

......life's all a gamble isn't it!

That's what makes it fun eh

It's becoming essential that I walk to the paper shop for a Twirl and a Crunchie ...

I have a howwwwage box of Toberlone Tinys here I'm happy to share

[zazen999]

On the other hand. My OH's Mum pestered his Dad to get the car out because she'd ran out of fags...they got stuck. I think she thought they were essential...Enough said. She rang me to see if I could get her some...you can guess what I told her .

Fag off?

[bishop]

for me work is my essential journey, i dont go i dont get paid, i work shifts, so if i loose one day i loose my days pay and a weeks shift allowance, this week night shift is 33% shift allowance i can,t afford to loose this kind of money just before christmass, fortunataly i have a high 4wd pick up fitted with my off road tyres and wheels, ,if i do get snowed in will go on sick as that way i still get my shift allowance.