Autosocks To The Rescue

Approach_from_the_East.jpg
Approach from the West….

This morning, climbing up from the East towards Hartside Top. Snow. Gradually more snow. Oh crikey! Thick snow. But not a thought, as far as I can remember, of turning back. Just two wheel track dents in snow, blowing across the road. Plowing on regardless. A kind of madness? Thankfully when I finally did grind to a halt by the lonely summit cafe there were men pushing a sliding-spinning car.

It’s all a bit of a blur now. All cold hands and slush under the wheel arches. Fitting Autosocks for the first time. Bit of a struggle. Men clearly unimpressed with sock activity. Impatient to push me out of the road to let others past. (Was that Rail Track they had written on their jackets?!) Me determined to fit those socks. They disappear into the blowing snow. Then hurried shouted exchanges with other drivers. Go back? Go on? Men return to get the car moving. I’m in my robes. Soaked. Are you going on? a chap shouted. Yes. I shouted back. We’ll follow you then.

For those who know this road the snow drifts just after the summit and then after the first sharp bend, not so much. As I took off the socks, having reached tarmac, the car following me stopped to check if I was OK. The lad in the back, headphones still in place, rolled down his window. Awesome! he exclaimed. I’d like to think he was appreciating my driving skills. The back end of the car shimmied back and forth in the loose churned up snow calling for a steady hand and calm nerve. But it was probably the socks! They were indeed awesome.

Just before Melmerby the barrier across the road announced that the crossing was closed! In The Village Bakery, tea, scone and jam with a chance to come down from this minor adventure. Had a memorable conversation with a couple at the cafe who had made the crossing too. Thanks for being there. And listening.

If there is a next time. If there is a question. If there is cause for concern. I’ll go the long way round.

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7 thoughts on “Autosocks To The Rescue”

  1. Well this made me laugh this morning! Not sure whether you are fearsomely intrepid or worryingly so. AND in your robes! Yes, Reverend Mugo, next time, next snow, take the long way round!

  2. Yes Geoff, very much the case of memories from last year getting out of the New Year retreat. I remember it well. I don’t know how things went this year for people getting in…. I left as the snow came, but not soon enough it would seem! Over the top safely! Yes. Part of my push to go over the top was to avoid the M6 and A68. Not my fav place to drive.

  3. Hope you are getting better Julie. Glad you liked the Youtube link. I watched it with several of the monks who enjoyed it too. And I did make it through, or over, safely.

  4. Yes, I bet my story did make you laugh. The adventure was not prolonged so all in all it was fun, remembered fun. And if there is doubt in anybodies mind the socks, made of strong synthetic material, slip over the drive wheels and provide traction.

    Bless those German women who slipped wool socks over their boots when there was snow on the ground. Now I expect they use something more high end. But perhaps not…. The car socks were inspired by the sock-over-boot women.

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