The last two mornings, when taking the dogs out first thing, it is cold. The baseball cap that I have been using will have to be replaced with a ski hat – tomorrow. My walking boots became the norm for dog walking about 2 weeks ago but that was for the rain as much as anything else.

As we’re driving to work this morning, we go for a short while on the motorway that leads from Milan to the Lakes (and Switzerland). The day was bright and sunny and the mountains, in the distance, ahead of us, were snow covered. It is beautiful but I much prefer the heat of summer.

I will have to get out all my nice, thick, warm jumpers this weekend. And gloves. And coats. Brrrr.