Snow

We have snow!  Despite an extended cold spell at the beginning of the year, it's still not a regular winter experience to have snow that lasts for days and so consequently, there is (dare I say it), an element of hysteria whenever the cold white stuff lies. Schools close as the first flakes fall, health and safety issues uppermost in the minds of "the authorities", the media urges travellers to stop at home, avoiding difficult road conditions and public transport all but grinds to a halt.  Our inability to cope amazes me; other cold countries manage without all this fuss!