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Walking in a winter wonderland
So, the gods spoke this morning and they said thou shalt not cycle to work, Jo. When trying to open the padlock which leads from the back garden to the real world, what I thought was the lock turning was in fact just the key turning and it broke off inside the lock. And I couldn't even get the key into the padlock which keeps the bike safely shut in the shed. That seemed pretty unambiguous to me so I set off on foot.
I have to say that my impression from yesterday was confirmed; this was the worst kind of snow. Oxford must have looked pretty for all of about 5 minutes. Then it was straight to black slush on the roads and ice on the pavements. The cycle lanes were horrible last night - full of piles of slippery grey-black slush. On my way down the Cowley road I nearly slipped and fell about 5 times because the pavements are just packed ice. I made it up to the High Street and then decided that I was fed up with it. Fortunately, the view across from the Magdelen bridge had given me an idea and I detoured round into Christchurch meadow for the rest of the way. This turned out to be a very smart decision. Not only was the snow actually still powdery, thus affording some sort of grip, but the view across the meadow was actually rather pretty. Made it into work only about 10 minutes later than usual after what was in the end a rather pleasant walk. Unfortuatly, I don't think I fancy doing it in the dark, so it'll the the prosaic route home.
And does anyone know what on earth I should do about the key broken off in padlock thing? Hacksaw through it (the padlock, I mean)?
I have to say that my impression from yesterday was confirmed; this was the worst kind of snow. Oxford must have looked pretty for all of about 5 minutes. Then it was straight to black slush on the roads and ice on the pavements. The cycle lanes were horrible last night - full of piles of slippery grey-black slush. On my way down the Cowley road I nearly slipped and fell about 5 times because the pavements are just packed ice. I made it up to the High Street and then decided that I was fed up with it. Fortunately, the view across from the Magdelen bridge had given me an idea and I detoured round into Christchurch meadow for the rest of the way. This turned out to be a very smart decision. Not only was the snow actually still powdery, thus affording some sort of grip, but the view across the meadow was actually rather pretty. Made it into work only about 10 minutes later than usual after what was in the end a rather pleasant walk. Unfortuatly, I don't think I fancy doing it in the dark, so it'll the the prosaic route home.
And does anyone know what on earth I should do about the key broken off in padlock thing? Hacksaw through it (the padlock, I mean)?
no subject
If you do (and being a New England Yankee, I'm cheap enough to assume you do), squirt what little you can get inside of the keyhole with WD-40 or another lubricant, and take pliers to what is left of the key and pull it out.
or bolt cutters
I didn't cycle this morning, either, nor did Damian. The packed ice at the edge of the streets looked kind of intimidating ...
Re: or bolt cutters
Bolt cutters are good depending on the size of the badlock I think I can cut something nearly 1cm in diameter, depending on the metal with mine.
Re: or bolt cutters
I think Alex is coming round to feed the snakes sometime soon - if you want (and I'm in:-)) I can give them to him?
Re: or bolt cutters
Re: or bolt cutters
See one or both of you later:-)
Re: or bolt cutters
I'm aiming to cycle back this evening, though not too late as you can imagine.
Re: or bolt cutters
I have to say, I was in two minds about cycling in this morning too, so I wasn't as annoyed as I might have been. I'll just have to try and get it sorted tomorrow morning.