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I do enjoy driving on snow. I certainly do not enjoy traffic queues that mean a twenty minute journey takes three hours, but the actual snow under the tyre experience is good. Memories of Darlington to Pensarn through the night with deep, crisp and even snow covering the M62 and no other vehicle for miles are etched with joy in my mind, and still the feeling of immediacy appeals.

Last Thursday the snow fell. The news was full of stories of woe from drivers (how dare the snow lie on the road – someone must be at fault) who had perhaps forgotten that just because we can tarmac half the country we still cannot control the weather. It made life an adventure again. I did not resent the few hours spent almost stationary, because it made me part of something that was actually happening. Even if I’d spent the night in the car, the immediate discomfort would have surely been displaced by the longer term memories? I’ve sailed through a hurricane; tough at the time, but what a privilege. Thirteen hours in a narrow gauge train to Darjeeling, blazing midday, freezing night, holes in my shirt from the coal embers sent into our “carriage”; certainly, during the journey I wanted the experience to end, but now it was all worth while. But this is digression; snow driving need not be simply a hardship to endure and look back on, it should be a joy in itself.

Cars are so safe, and appear even safer. We are used to good acceleration, braking, power steering, get out devices such as seatbelts and airbags, weather reports et cetera, et cetera. Having a spanner chucked into our works to reset the autopilot is no bad thing; it causes us to think, experiment and learn. The slightly giddy feeling of being on the edge of control in a safe situation (empty snowy road) is a good experience. Find the limit. Test the braking. Try cadence braking. There are a few lay-bys on my regular drive which are great for this – I diverted into each to check out the action! Relax, learn a little more and hit the main road with more skill, knowledge and confidence. Think about preparation – boots in the car, plenty of fuel, phone charged up? Go, drive carefully with knowledge of what could happen and enjoy.

Jenny had a great time. She drives to work on back roads not plagued by 5mph drivers in abject terror. The roads had no pretence of being cleared for a few of her journeys in the past week, but are blessed with bends and hills. She does not arrive at work and join in the clamour of finding someone to blame, but can honestly express her appreciation of her normally mundane journey. More snow forecast tonight – I just hope the gritting isn't over zealous!