In weather related news the daytime low today was low. I estimate it in the 3-5 degree mark. I am now consumed with trying to keep warm and this is just indoors. I was explaining to a young fella that I was wearing a thermal, a shirt, a cashmere cardigan, plus a Down jacket and was freezing and this was inside a well-heated shop that sold, well major snow wear and parkas.

He was a bit astonished, squinted and then took me to the mountain climbing thermal underwear department.

I have to confess I love a good chat about coats. The coat is a mighty invention, rather like the hoover. I never find coats boring in the way I find most items of clothing tedious, except cardigans. Cardigans are in a realm of their own greatness. I still mourn the loss of my Icelandic cardigan, lost in a move between London and Dublin.