Day:313, Words:313

There has been some challenges associated with this glorious time of year that I have previously been unaware of. For the past few mornings, the journey to work has started awkwardly. The car makes a struggling noise as it fails to budge from its overnight position. The first thought is to check underneath the vehicle for built up ice or snow that might be restricting its movement. There appeared to be little to prevent the forward movement but sometimes the wheels would spin in a groove of ice. I sprinkled a smattering of crushed stones, in hope that the wheels would grip and tried again. As I reved the engine to high levels, I noticed an odour of burnt rubber. This time the car lurched forward, only to struggle down the hill. The neighbour was pointing wildly to the wheel and shouting something, seemingly important, judging by the urgency in his voice.

" Your breaks are on!"




Apparently, the use of the handbrake in cars in winter is not advised. Having lived here for three and a half years, I thought I had experienced enough to qualify as an adopted Øksfjordian who possessed all the necessary skills to survive a tough winter in the north.




It has something to do with the fluid freezing, melting and feezing again that can result in a permanent braking situation. During lunch time conversations, I was made aware that this problem is quite common in French cars, especially Citroens. The advice that I received was simple; Don't use the handbrake during the winter. The only problem is that there are a number of medium to steep hills and driveways in mountainous Øksfjord. To make matters worse, the presently mild conditions, ensures a rain, snow, freezing cycle, which produces layers of ice that are smooth and extremely slippery.




Life above the Arctic circle wasn't meant to be easy!

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