Madam, – I would like to pay tribute to the gritters and council workers and many others who were out at all hours in extreme temperatures during the last few weeks while most of us were safe and warm at home. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I smiled when I read the article criticising the Irish for being too soft when it came to the “big freeze” (January 11th).
I’m living in Valencia, Spain, where I teach English. Here, one or two days of heavy rain (not an unusual occurrence in Ireland at any time of year) can result in severe, headline-making floods, dangerously slippery pavements and, if the student attendance at my adult class last week is anything to go by, a strong aversion to going outside. It really comes down to what you are accustomed to. – Yours, etc,