It was minus 16 at home this morning. Water pipes frozen. No water for tea, cooking, washing up or cleaning my pits (or kids). Took three hours to melt enough snow to make a pot of tea. News full of “Frozen Britain” everywhere. Cars skidding all over the show. People not turning up for work. Inbound call levels dropped, business down. More of the same tonight…but, you know what? What a fantastic time this is.

I’ve had more strangers in the street smiling at me than at any time I can remember. You know, that knowing smile that says “yeah, I know, mate. It’s bonkers isn’t it?”. There’s a Dunkirk spirit in the air, or what I imagine to be a Dunkirk spirit (I was not actually at Dunkirk during the time the alleged “spirit” appeared). Neighbours are being more friendly than I’ve ever experienced. Shop staff more chatty than usual. More jokes being cracked everywhere.

When things slow down like this, it’s a good time to write that sales letter you’ve been putting off, do a bit of keyword research, tidy up a database. But it’s an even better time to build a snowman and go sledging with the kids. Here’s a magnificent example of a snowman and a dog I just had to snap on the way into the office today:

It’s also a good time to take a good look around. Yeah, it’s cold and it’s a pain in the arse, but just look at it! It’s absolutely beautiful. Seven years ago we spent a small fortune on our honeymoon to go to North Sweden to experience this weather and stay in the ice hotel. Now it’s come right to our doorstep! Enjoy it for what it is and while it lasts.