(no subject)

Been mugging up for the RSS Ordinary mock exam the last few evenings. Then, yesterday afternoon, came the warnings that heavy snow was expected during the night. Joy for Demelza, who'd been wanting serious white stuff for days, but warning lights for me. As a relative rookie motorist I wasn't about to risk driving in the snow, especially first thing in the morning before most of it is cleared off the roads, and heavy snow on the roads usually means the buses don't run. Under ordinary circumstances I might not have minded taking an enforced day's holiday (they're no longer giving us special leave for snow, those of us who can't get in now have to take the time as either annual leave or flex) but naturally I didn't want to miss the mock.

I mentioned as much to Lynne, who spoke to Lauren, who popped down to our floor and said she'd be driving in if possible - she doesn't mind snow on the roads - and said I could get a lift with her and Norman.

So first thing this morning I logged onto First Bus Hampshire's Facebook page. All bus services suspended. I got straight on the phone to Lauren, who couldn't hear me (on the drive in she said the weather had disrupted the mobile phone network) but sent me a text to say she'd pick me up by the bridge at 6.30.

So Lauren, Norman and I made it to the office just before eight thanks to her slow, steady driving through the snow, with plenty of lively conversation en route. Norman told a corny joke; Lauren told me she gets them from him every morning. I turned out to be the only one of my team to make it, but there was enough work to keep me going for the time either side of the mock exam.

After all that effort, only Nina and I made it in for the exam. Richard said he'd book the room for next Tuesday morning for the others - assuming the snow clears up by then. A couple of the questions were toughies, but I did OK.

Lauren phoned at 2 pm to say she was ready to go. That suited me fine.