Snowbound

This is not just any old car park closed due to snow and ice. This is a Marks and Spencer car park that has been closed due to snow and ice!
Last night was cold and icy, but it must have warmed up at some point as we awoke to a good three inches of snow covering the road, pavements and garden. A quick perusal of social media suggested that a) the whole of Kendal was similarly affected and b) nothing was being done to clear it, apart from the main roads.
The outside temperature was above freezing, so I cleared the drive of snow in the hope I’d be able to go out later. Not encouraged by the sight of a neighbour backing his car into the road, going about two feet and then grinding to a halt in a flurry of wheelspin. He eventually made it back on to his drive but obviously abandoned any idea of going out today.
As we have 4WD, I though I’d give it a go and managed to get out of the road and into town without too much difficulty. A lot of slush if you strayed away from the main route, but I was surprised to see the M&S car park was closed, as they are usually pretty good at clearing it. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that there was just too much snow and ice to clear away. Probably safer all round to close it to vehicles, especially as the underground car park was fully operational.
We tracked down a few last minute Xmas presents and then hurried home before it got dark. Again, the 4WD did its stuff and we were able to get back home without any drama. More than could be said for the petrified young person in a Ford Ka who came towards us with wheels pointing in the wrong direction and generally sliding out of control down the hill. Fortunately I was able to steer out of the way and the absence of any loud bangs would suggest the hapless driver eventually managed to get things under some semblance of control!