Chill

With a pedestrian commute and no pressing reason to use the car, I've relished the current spell of ice and a snow - a proper winter at last.

Late afternoon, for me, is the best part of these jewel-bright days.

Colour drains away, the western sky fades from blue to ochre - and the walkers in the park transform to figures in a Breughel picture.

Order of the boots

Recent winter weather has prompted the Human Being to venture forth protected from the cold and damp by the cosy carapace of his Uniroyal Super rubber boots.

Brown wellies, yes. But as they were purchased in the USA, the non-military transatlantic moniker seems more appropriate.

The HB remarks: 'These boots are Super indeed. I bought them while living in Juneau, Alaska - one of the wettest cities in the whole of the United States. In fact, this September will bring the thirtieth anniversary of that purchase. Good service, huh?'