What a shock we had at the first rest stop along the way with the freezing wind whipping through our hair and jeans! We could already see frosting on the ground and cars coming from somewhere snow laden, but as of yet we hadn't seen any falling from the sky. The second time we stopped the occasional flake was dancing from the heavens, but we weren't worried. We were heading south, it wouldn't get worse! As we left the rest stop, traffic was sitting still. We googled the traffic report which told us that a dangerous lamp post was across the road. It was pretty windy, but we patiently waited for that little drama to be cleared up and finally we continued down the A23.
Meanwhile the weather actually was getting progressively worse! A full blown howling blizzard was throwing snow at the car and coating the roads and countryside remarkably quickly. I still wasn't particularly concerned, even though it has been literally years since I have driven in the ice and snow having magically avoided the worst of winter's past. Leisa was kind of enjoying it, coming from Australia blizzards aren't really in her realm of experiences. But we were still making good time and in about an hour we would be in Brighton. Or so we thought.
Those five hours were entertaining to say the least, we discovered Magic Radio station and sang our hearts out recounting stories from our youths related to each song. We made an executive decision to turn off an on ramp against all the cars facing us, driving precariously down the side narrowly avoiding a muddy ditch. "Come on Gladys (my car), you can do it!" We noticed how BMW's and Audi's were getting stuck, slipping and sliding all over the place, but my trusty "new" VW Golf ploughed her way through. Thanks to the fabulous Tomasina (my sat-nav, Tom-Tom, get it?) we managed to carefully snow plough to the A23 going north and drove for a luscious few miles before hitting yet another wall of cars. Traffic that already had their motors switched off...not a good sign.
By this point we were a little concerned as we were down to below a quarter of a tank of petrol. The blizzard was relentless and well, we really had to pee! Leisa and I really like our bathroom breaks and we had been holding it in for about six hours by this point. Stepping out of the car was simply not an option, we would have been soaking wet and cold. I reached behind me, scrambling in my bags and pulled out some nail scissors. Water bottles long empty, I held them up presenting my latest creative idea! We laughed hysterically as I manicured the water bottle into a neat little cup. "You first, mind the sharp edges!" It was a particularly bonding moment when Leisa handed me her full to the brim cup of pee. I sat there not wanting to move with it while she wrestled with her underwear. There was a guy outside making a video so we are hoping this little episode does not appear on YouTube! One classic sentence I will never forget was right after when Leisa looked at me solemnly and said, "I'm really sorry I peed in your new car." I didn't do much better...
We began to prepare a list of essential items to have in your car at all times a "She-Wee" topping the list as we sat on plastic bags and in somewhat dampened blue jeans. We discussed all the potential drama’s that could have been happening in other cars; screaming babies, childbirth, illness, arguments or not having any supplies what-so-ever! I read once that having a candle in your car can save your life if you are trapped in severe cold because it can generate enough heat to prevent frostbite. We watched a woman help another car get unstuck by placing her car mat under their back tyre. We agreed having one of those aluminium rescue blankets would be a great plan as well as a big bottle of water, hand-wipes and an entire roll of paper towel. Recently I purchased a dongle when I stayed with a friend with no internet. Our whole business is run through the internet so that really came in handy too. I was able to email the people in Malta and find an airport car parking service that would ALSO completely valet our car for us (including shampooing the seats) while we were away.
We ran out of water, put on more layers and waited for information. Eventually the fire rescue people came, "Did you bring us Starbucks?" we asked, hopeful. Alas, no, but they did give us more water and told us to get comfortable because we wouldn't be going anywhere for quite some time.
Finally, only 15 miles outside of Gatwick, as dawn seeped into the snowflakes, we started moving again and at a break-neck speed of 20 miles an hour, once even hitting 30, we arrived at Gatwick. The SureParking people met us at departures and collected our car with a rushed exit from us and a promise to pay them when we got back, IF we managed to catch our flight. They were GREAT. Running as fast as we could lugging bags, we arrived at check-in just as our gate was closing and were not allowed to go through. There must have been 700 people queueing.
We were exhausted, but headed to the loo for an actual toilet and change our pee pants! Then we had some coffee and decided what to do. We were luckily able to change our flights to the next day before the 700 people who missed their flights showed up in that queue. We booked an airport hotel, had breakfast, shopped for food and finally got a shuttle bus over to the hotel. Hot baths and showers later, we crashed until re-boarding the shuttle bus at 4am and finally, FINALLY made it to Malta!
Great stuff, Shannon x
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