The big freeze continues. In SE13 our snow fall has been modest compared to many parts of the country, perhaps three or four inches. In Haslemere, my friend Jenny tells me they have had a foot of snow and have been unable to use their car. This week my appointments have been postponed, one by one, as my snow-bound colleagues and clients let me know they can’t get into London.

My road is close to Lewisham’s centre and used by many people who park their cars to go shopping. The pavements, ungritted, quickly turned from untrodden snow to thick ice. On Thursday, I decided to clear the ice on the pavement in front of my house. This was not an entirely straightforward decision. On the one hand, I felt sure the pavement would be safer without the ice and on the other hand I heard rumours that the liability would suddenly be mine if I cleared the ice and someone fell. Who wants to be sued?

On Thursday, I cleared a small path in the midst of the ice. On Friday I cleared a little bit more. Today I decided to go the whole hog, clearing the full width of the pavement of ice before going upstairs and admiring my tidy patch from above.

I sit down with a cup of tea (the pink, herbal variety rather than the strong stuff – rasberry and echinacea of I remember rightly) and finish my book. And then, looking up, I watch the snow begin to fall.

Hey, ho!