It's late February and I can see snow falling outside. It feels as if the winter is never-ending. But here in England it seems we have finally got used to it. Today was the first day back at school for the kids after the half-term break, and the schools were open (even though there were hopes for another "snow day"). And we seem to to have got past black Monday 24th January without any serious consequences. Black Monday is the worst day of the year, and it has been calculated as such by an academic at Cardiff University, using this formula:

• W: Weather
• D: Debt
• d: Money due in January pay
• T: Time since Christmas
• Q: Time since failed quit attempt
• M: General motivational levels
• NA: The need to take action

So, it is only downhill from now on, especially since I have booked a family holiday near to Hadrian's Wall over Easter!

Mark.