Old Johnny Alps

I know what you mean....I still crunch when I sit down <_< !

That's very kind Peter, to be honest I have perused this site since it was launched (the mass exodus from a certain cold BBC board) but being rather a novice in the old weather game I haven't really felt I could contribute to certain discussions. However I am learning fast so you never know....I might post something of some use someday! Until then.....

OK....my first post. I am very uneducated when it comes to reading the various charts out there and only got in to the weather about 5 or 6 years ago and only then because of my new found love - surfing. You want to know when the waves will be good? You need to understand what generates them and what conditions are best. But enough of that....I was born in 1971 so my first (as with others on here) will have been the 1979 winter. We lived at the bottom of a small hill and a 100 yards from Farthing Downs which had two excellent sledging runs. My main memory is of my family and all the neighbours finding whatever they could sit on to sledge down the snowy road (cars could not pass) - it was such good fun and neighbours young and old were joining in and crashing into their garden gates or just falling off, everybody laughing their heads off. I also remember going down the sledging run near my house with friends and very nearly coming a cropper with my out of control sledge and shooting straight into some bushes and under a fence (and only because I went horizontal at the last minute). Few bruises and a couple of cuts but......worth it! As like most on here I was then hooked. A sent home from school day round about that time was like heaven.....no school and fun in the snow instead? Oh OK then! I would go to the front of the house and watch the snow falling in the street lights and my heart would sink when it became lighter and lighter. Will I sound a really old git if I say "it don't snow like it used to!"......the reality of it is we are talking about the weather.....and the weather will always be unpredictable. The 26 and under guys/gals will surely witness a decent event....I for one don't believe that we won't see something significant.....you never know.....it could be this one!