In the Fish era you knew where you were-If Mr F promised you bad weather you generally got it. Now with the more gentle approach of Mr A Deakin and his colleagues, mostly called Helen, life is more uncertain. The Merse has over the last week or so been between two weather systems-foul to the north and filthy to the south. Snow of varying degrees in both cases. We have had snow, hail, sleet but just as it looks as if whiteout is upon us it all changes to rain. But the Deakin broad brush makes no allowance for the micro climate around these parts. Twice I have had to cancel excursions to Auld Reekie or Embra in the local patois because of alleged snow. Apparently the Uni is reluctant to call students in for seminars or whatever when pavements are icy in fear of being sued by a student who has fallen and twisted or broken something. Certainly some lecturers are quick to pull the plug when the first snow flake falls claiming that they are stranded in Fife or other remote regions. Today the problem is being compounded by GNER having the wrong kind of broken signal and disruption is gleefully predicted and 'inconvenience' promised-this epithet may also have to applied to the on board loos if they are not more regularily maintained. Thankfully I am not on my travels today.
