My first blog was about snow and I rather snootily pointed out that the children didn't quite know how to play in it. What a contrast yesterday was, then. Our road, which has to be the most community-oriented street in Brighton, or even the world, had the best impromptu winter street event imaginable.
At 8.30, a group went around knocking on doors to arrange meeting up at 9.00 to start a communal building project. Snowmen being far too obvious, the main organisers decided on an igloo. By 10.00, the walls of the igloo were in place and moulding the outside had begun in earnest. Some of us were dispatched to buy provisions (mulled wine, hot chocolate - you know, life's essentials) and building continued until lunchtime. We have a Frenchman on the team so no way were meals going to be suspended.
Gorgeous husband and I went in too, to light a giant log fire and toast our poor frozen toes. By mid-afternoon, the igloo had two rooms, a carved entrance and a 'sold' sign outside the door! The children in the street had taken up residence and were inviting people in for tea. They played and played for hours with no supervision, no electronic games and no arguments.
For the rest of the day and well into the evening, we gathered in various groups to share drinks and marvel at what a day out can do for a community. So to the moaners and whingers who demand to know why our country comes to a standstill for 'a bit of snow' - do we really want our government to invest billions of pounds (which we have not got) in equipment to cope with extreme weather (which we do not have) when the benefits of a day away from it all are so obvious?
I think not.
See you soon,
Angie
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