Rain dance pays off for Barnet council

Daniel Thomas, the Barnet Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environment and Transport, must have been relieved this morning as the rain cleared some of the snow. His rain dance must have paid off, and just as well - Barnet council didn't have much else of a strategy going for them, as the borough's grit dropped to just three days' supply.

For all that the thaw has set in, I think it is still too early to abandon wellingtons when venturing out, however. With my tendency to dress like a Land Girl, the last few weeks have not troubled me, but going into central London has been rather embarassing, mingling with the suits. I hope they can make allowances for the fact that we have travelled in from an outlying borough, and forgive the rich, country smells we bring with us.