How is it in England that we have collective amnesia every time it snows.  It would appear that drivers suffer this more than most.  We forget the basics of the road, the simple maneuvers and how to park.

Last night we had some really sticky snow and cold conditions, nothing out of the ordinary for most countries, however in the South East of England it as if we had never seen this stuff before.

A simple 15 mile journey became a 6 hour epic battle of wits, fortune definitely favoured the brave. 

Having left the M40 motorway to avoid a major jam that was developing on the southbound approach to Stokenchurch we discovered that the “B” roads were not too bad and reasonably free flowing.  However at the slightest incline the world of driving changed.

Imagine being in motion and knowing that once you stop that getting going again is unlikely.  Now imagine that you are approaching a hill and things are going well, when you suddenly round a bend to discover that the cars ahead have decided to stop for no real reason…..  Agghhh!

At least snow chains work, once you have managed to get them attached.  However they work best if they fit your wheels!  After a few hundred yards they broke, but we had managed to crest the first hill!

There were many moments during the “short distance” when we were not sure that we should be driving or if we should look for a place to deposit the car.  However this was not really going to happen with two guys feeling like caged animals looking for an escape.

After thinking that we had found a clear route involving a trip down the Marlow road for about 3 miles.  We then discovered a bus blocking the road on the Medmenham Hill so it was back again to Henley, (the whole think taking 1 hour to travel 6 miles and go nowhere).  Upon returning to Henley we discovered that the town was deserted.  We carefully followed another Saab over the bridge and up Remenham Hill.  As we gingerly rolled forward we were both willing the car onwards and upward. 

Remenham Hill is quite steep, however when covered in ice and without our snow chains it was quite an experience.  Upon reaching the top our spirits soared and we had images of arriving home to a plate of spag bol in no time.  Not a chance!  How cruel this brief moment of achievement can be.  Having crested this huge hill we were confronted with a line of cars and articulated trucks waiting to go over the next obstacle!

Never-the-less, with a bit of careful traffic management (like leaving lots of space ahead of us, early braking and letting the car in front get clear of a small rise in the road, as well as telling the guys in the cars behind what we were going to do) we managed to make some progress. 

Getting to Rose Hill found another queue with a tractor pulling cars up the hill as we waited for 2 hours to get past, dodging abandoned cars and fallen trees.  The whole area looked like a war zone. 

We picked our way though and by 12pm we finally arrived home.  6 hrs for 15 miles, what an experience!