I realised that the schools were going to be shut again yesterday (Monday) when I had to make a freezing foray to the loo at 6 o’clock in the morning, and discovered that it was snowing heavily again. We had had very little snow during the whole weekend and hoped that the worst was over, but no such luck. So the schools in Fife were closed for a week and a day. They opened today though which is just as well, it’s all very well having to be closed for a wee while but there are exams coming up and a teaching schedule to work through.

Last night we made our last trip through to Dundee with yet more stuff from Duncan’s room, it’s amazing how much there was. I wasn’t looking forward to the journey, remembering the last time. But D. was back living with us because he didn’t have his computer and needed help with putting his new tv together. He’s sorted out now thankfully.

The roads to Dundee were still ridiculous and we haven’t seen a gritter yet this year. The councils ran out of salt and grit last year because of the very cold and long winter and it looks like they are determined not to run out of them again, in fact they’re just not using the stuff.

The worst of this new snow has fallen on the central region and there have been hundreds of people stranded on the main motorway through Scotland. People have been stuck in their cars for over 24 hours in some places. The problem seems to have started with articulated lorries which jack-knifed in the ice, blocking the roads. I think they’re planning to get the army out there to give a helping hand, I certainly hope so anyway.