Getaway starts as UK faces snowfall
AN EERIE face emerges from the waves in this extraordinary photograph – taken ironically on Lake Erie.
Photographer Trevor Pottelberg, 41, captured the apparition in wind-tossed waters at Long Point in Ontario, Canada, and has named it Spirit From The Deep.
He said: “I like to think that it is the ghost of a lost captain who went down with his ship.” MILLIONS of drivers could be triggering back and neck pain by sitting in the wrong driving position, experts warned yesterday.
As the big Easter Bank Holiday getaway gears up, a study says almost six million motorists are at risk of unnecessary suffering.
Many drivers do not know their seat and mirror settings could be the cause of their aches and pains, according to research by Citroen and the British Chiropractic Association.
Sitting for prolonged periods in an uncomfortable position can cause muscle tension and, in some cases, even restrict blood flow, they said.
Seat height is particularly important to make sure your body is well supported and comfortable, especially when stuck in lengthy traffic jams.
Misery
With more than 19 million leisure journeys by car set to take place over Easter – the first major getaway weekend of the year – experts say it is important drivers make sure they are not doing themselves harm.
Tim Button, the BCA’s chiropractor and ergonomic consultant, said: “Many of my patients have complained about neck or back pain when driving, particularly on long journeys.
“It’s important that people are aware of the best ways to protect their back health while in their car.”
A study of drivers’ plans conducted by the RAC found that the largest number of trips will take place on Good Friday with 4.45 million individual journeys being taken by road.
Closely followed by Easter Saturday, which is expected to see 3.18 million journeys.
Adding to drivers’ Bank Holiday travel misery, planned upgrades to parts of the railway network are expected to result in an increase in road traffic throughout the weekend, adding to the congestion.
Expected Easter traffic hotspots include the M25 between Gatwick Airport and the M1, the RAC yesterday warned drivers.
The M3 south-west of London; the A303 around Stonehenge; the M55 between Preston and Blackpool, and the M53 between Liverpool and Chester are also expected trouble spots.
Meanwhile, Highways England said it would be playing its part to help those travelling to seaside locations, ports and airports by removing around 300 miles of roadworks.
The organisation said that taking away the frustrating plastic cones meant around 99 per cent of motorways and A-roads would be roadworks-free in time for Easter.
Melanie Clarke, Highways England’s customer service director, said drivers could take steps to avoid road-jamming breakdowns by giving their vehicles a thorough check before starting their journeys.
She said: “Safety is our top WARNINGS of snow have prompted Britons to head for sunnier climes this Easter.
The Association of British Travel Agents says 2.1 million British holidaymakers will jet overseas for the Bank Holiday weekend.
As temperatures plummet in the UK, the mercury will hit 68F (20C) in Malaga – the most popular destination – 72F in Tenerife and a sizzling 82F in Marrakesh.
Back home, forecasters are predicting a wet and windy weekend and then snowfall on Easter Monday.
Martin Bowles, from the Met Office, said: “The heavy rain coming from the south will meet the cold air coming from the north and there could be significant snowfall in the Midlands, Wales and the north of England.”
After today’s rain, tomorrow will turn drier, brighter and colder with a brisk north-easterly wind, paving the way for a “widespread frost” on Easter Sunday for much of the country.
More rain moves in from the south on Monday, bringing the potential for further snow on northern hills. imperative. We know from experience that almost half of breakdowns are avoidable and these can easily be avoided with simple vehicle checks.
“Easter is always a busy period on the road network and we would urge all motorists to make sure they do their bit to check their vehicle is roadworthy before setting off over this period.”